3 ex-Brooklyn Nets who are thriving elsewhere this season

The Brooklyn Nets have gone through a lot of roster turnover over the past few years. Even before Brooklyn swung for the Durant-Irving-Harden big three, the Nets attempted to form another super team in 2013, acquiring Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett from the Boston Celtics.

With the Durant-Irving-Harden big three era over, as Durant now plays for the Suns, Irving for the Mavericks, and Harden for the Clippers, there are a lot of former Nets hooping elsewhere.

Some Nets have thrived since leaving Brooklyn. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will ball out wherever they go, but some under-the-radar players or forgotten Nets players have started the 2023-24 season strong.

3. Taurean Prince

Prince joined the Los Angeles Lakers this season to pair up with his former Minnesota Timberwolves teammate and former Brooklyn Net, D’Angelo Russell. Prince has been thrust into the Lakers starting lineup in the absence of the injured Jarred Vanderbilt. The seven-year pro isn’t having his best statistical year, but he has given the Lakers strong finishing around the rim and defensive length.

Prince averaged 11.4 points per game and shot 37.9% in 76 games in Brooklyn. The Nets acquired Prince from the Atlanta Hawks before the 2019-20 season. He was then involved in the big 4-team trade that brought James Harden to Brooklyn, sending Prince to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who flipped him to the Timberwolves after 29 games. The Baylor product is on his 5th team after signing a one-year deal with the Lakers.

Prince averages 9.3 points per game and shoots 44% through nine games this season. He hasn’t hit his stride from three yet, but his hustle for the Lakers is tough to replace. Prince knows when his three-point shot isn’t falling and starts to drive more. He had a beautiful euro-step against the Suns that iced an in-season tournament win for the Lakers last week.