Oct. 14, 2024 10:13 AM EST

Rebuilding Nets Face Many Challenges With Rookie Nba Coach, Young Roster And Oft-Injured Ben Simmons

By The Associated Press
Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson, center, drives against Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, left, and forward Derrick Jones Jr. during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Oceanside, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun) Ryan Sun, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson, center, drives against Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, left, and forward Derrick Jones Jr. during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Oceanside, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas, right, drives against Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Oceanside, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
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Brooklyn Nets

Last season: 32-50, missed playoffs.

COACH: Jordi Fernandez (1st season).

SEASON OPENER: Oct. 23 at Atlanta.

DEPARTURES: G Mikal Bridges, G Lonnie Walker IV, G Dennis Smith Jr.

ADDITIONS: F Bojan Bogdanovic, F Ziaire Williams, G Killian Hayes

BetMGM championship odds: +100000.

What to expect

The Nets are entering into a rebuilding situation, having traded Mikal Bridges to New York on the eve of the NBA draft after already dealing away most of their top players in the last few seasons. General manager Sean Marks has said it doesn't necessarily have to be a long rebuild, but with a rookie coach and little high-end talent, it would be a surprise if they aren't one of the worst teams in the NBA this season.

Strengths and weaknesses

The good: Nic Claxton shows signs of expanding his offensive game to match the strong interior defense he has been providing. Dennis Schroder gives them a veteran point guard who can either start or come off the bench and had a terrific summer playing in for Germany in the Olympics, where he was their flag bearer. Should get some high-scoring nights from Cam Thomas, who averaged 22.5 points last season and scored 40 or more four times.

The not-so-good: There isn't much reason to go deep into specifics. The whole roster is not-so-good. It's also young, with the Nets having 11 players 24 or younger, Thomas is prone to bad shots and bad decisions, sometimes offsetting the points he can quickly pile up. And there's no guaranteeing a top pick even if they have one of the worst records, since at that point the Nets would then still have to hope for lottery luck.

Players to watch

Ben Simmons remains the most intriguing player on the roster. The No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft is in the final season of his contract and has so much to prove, from a willingness to shoot to an ability to stay healthy. If he can return to the level he played at in Philadelphia, he could get the Nets up and down the floor quickly for some easy baskets, which they will desperately need. Cam Johnson's average of 13.4 points last season was a three-point drop from 2022-23, and with his name frequently attached to trade rumors after his former Phoenix teammate Bridges was traded, it will be interesting to see how he bounces back — and where he does it.

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