Pre-Draft Outlook
In three years with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving under contract, the Nets have won just one playoff series. This tumultuous season featured Irving missing 53 games because he was unvaccinated, James Harden forcing his way to Philadelphia, Joe Harris needing multiple surgeries on his injured ankle and Ben Simmons being unable to play after he arrived. The Nets needed to qualify for the playoffs via the Play-In Tournament and they were the only team swept out of the first round. They still have Durant under contract for the next four years, but there are lots of questions after that.
A Stat That Matters
64.2% – The Nets ranked last in defensive rebounding percentage, both in the regular season (70.4%) and in the playoffs, when they grabbed just 64.2% of available defensive boards over their four-game sweep at the hands of the Boston Celtics.
The Way To Go
The Nets have a lot of work to do this summer, and their first major decision was to defer the acquisition of Philadelphia’s first-round pick, which was acquired in the James Harden trade. With no Draft picks, the attention turns to free agency, particularly Irving, Bruce Brown and Nic Claxton. Ideally, they’re not making a full, four or five-year commitment to the enigmatic Irving, but they have minimal payroll flexibility and little choice but to continue to put as much talent around Durant as possible. Most important is the health and availability of Simmons, who can help with the Nets’ biggest area of need (perimeter defense).
Under Contract
G: Seth Curry
G: Cam Thomas
G/F: Joe Harris
G/F: Ben Simmons
F: Kevin Durant
F: Day’Ron Sharpe
Free Agents
G: David Duke Jr. (two-way)
G: Goran Dragic (unrestricted)
G: Kyrie Irving (player option)
G: Patty Mills (player option)
G/F: Bruce Brown (unrestricted)
F: Kessler Edwards (team option)
F: Blake Griffin (unrestricted)
F/C: Nic Claxton (restricted)
C/F: LaMarcus Aldridge (unrestricted)
C: Andre Drummond (unrestricted)
> 2022 Free Agent Tracker
Last Year’s Draft
Cam Thomas (27), Day’Ron Sharpe (29)*, Kessler Edwards (44), Marcus Zegarowski (49), RaiQuan Gray (59)
* = Acquired via trade
— John Schuhmann