The Brooklyn Nets added another experienced role player alongside Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, as former San Antonio Spurs big man LaMarcus Aldridge agreed to a deal that will help the seven-time All-Star chase a championship.
Aldridge, who is averaging 13.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season, figures to add more size, rebounding, and veteran moxie to a Nets team that could use a boost in all those key areas.
As fun as this signing is, Aldridge could mess up Brooklyn’s rotation. In addition to DeAndre Jordan in the starting lineup, the standout play of Nicolas Claxton and the presence of Blake Griffin could complicate Brooklyn’s rotations.
While he has missed some time with a hamstring injury, it might be Durant who has to change his style of play the most to make room for Aldridge, as moving from power forward to small forward could help Brooklyn get all of these veterans playing time in their new roster alignment.
Free agent LaMarcus Aldridge plans to sign with the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 27, 2021
The Brooklyn Nets could play Kevin Durant on the wing after adding LaMarcus Aldridge
This move was likely made to get Durant out of the post and onto the perimeter. Given the trust that Nash has in Jeff Green, it is entirely possible that he ends up in the starting lineup permanently. Aldridge might be able to compete with Jordan for the starting center spot, but it’s entirely possible that starts his Nets career on the bench.
Don’t be surprised if the Nets choose to leave Aldridge at power forward, which could force Griffin and Claxton out to the perimeter. Sounds crazy? Well, Claxton’s ability to handle the ball and weave into the lane is one of his strongest selling points. One of Griffin’s main assets to this team is his ability to shoot the 3-pointer.
Rather than forcing arguably the most creative offensive player in the league in Durant to operate down in the low post, why not get him even more opportunities with the ball in his hands? This could help the Nets somehow be an even better shooting team and a more dangerous defensive squad.
The Nets went from one of the smallest and least physical teams in the entire league to a very deep frontcourt that can attack opposing teams in multiple different ways. It might take a while for Aldridge to get his feet under him in the Nets’ system, but there is reason to believe he can change Brooklyn’s rotation for the better.
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Even with Joel Embiid in the eastern conference, the Brooklyn Nets may have all the front-court depth they need to win a championship.