BradS4President
Nets
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During the 2015-16 season, New Jersey Nets made their 8th playoffs appearance, tied for the most at that time in BSL. That season they beat the Lebron James led Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games in round one and pushed the top seeded Washington Wizards led by their star Stephen Curry to seven games. Despite leading by 4 going into the 4th quarter, Leandro Barbosa led a 4th quarter charge to push the Wizards to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Since that semi-finals appearance, the New Jersey Nets haven’t been back to the Playoffs. In 2016, they selected Chris Duarte (no longer in the league). Their 2017 1st was owed to the Memphis Grizzlies (as part of a previous trade), who used the selection on Markelle Fultz. He won rookie of the year, and has made two all-star games in his four seasons.
In 2018, the Nets owned their pick and selected Trae Young 7th overall, who looks to be a sixth man scoring option off the bench, rather than a starting point guard. The following year they, traded back from pick 3 to 5 and selected Kris Murray over Matisse Thybulle. The latter made the All-Rookie Team and has already been named to an All-Defensive Team. Murray was cut from his rookie deal after not improving.
*Trae has been a good scorer, but his ability to run an offense has been questioned.
Things were looking bleak and fans were calling for the owners to find a new GM. After winning just 30 games once again, in the 2019-20 season, the Nets had the 5th best odds to get the number 1 selection, where Jayson Tatum (Duke University) and Anthony Edwards (University of Georgia) were viewed as the two top prospects. With a a little luck, the Nets landed the number one pick and selected Jayson Tatum.
Despite winning just 26 games (four less from the previous year), Tatum won Rookie of the Year, was 7th in the league in scoring, giving the New Jersey Nets a bonafide star for the future giving the organization and fans hope for the future.
*Tatum lived up to being the number one selection, averaging 25.8 points per game and winning rookie of the year.
Then, after having the 5th best odds for the number one overall selection for the second consecutive lottery, the luck was on New Jersey’s side once again, moving up four spots and landing the 1st pick in the draft. With this selection, New Jersey selected Cade Cunningham out of Oklahoma State University.
*The New Jersey Nets hope that Cade will live up to the high expectations to give the organization back to back rookies of the year
With the pick of Cade, the Nets hope that him and Jayson Tatum will give the organization a formidable wing duo for the foreseeable future. Landing two of the most exciting young wings gives the fans renewed hope for the future. “We have two very talented guards that we feel are going to be great scorers for the organization” BradS4President told ESPN.com. “We can’t wait to see how they will play and work together on the court”.
Although continuing down a rebuilding road may have been the more logical approach, Brad worked the phones and landed DeAndre Jordan from the Memphis Grizzlies for two first round picks. Jordan has averaged double digit rebounds for the past eight seasons and averages two plus blocks per game for his career. He should provide a dominant presence on the interior and is locked up for a reasonable price for the next 2 seasons. “DeAndre is the best defensive big man in the league. We are excited to have him leading the way on the glass and protecting the hoop” Brad mentioned.
*Two-Time Defensive Player of the Year became a clear target for New Jersey desperate for front-court help
After landing the Three Time All-Defensive Team Nominee and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Brad was on the phone with Detroit discussing another deal. Although Chris Paul did a great job as the point guard for New Jersey (5th in the league in assists during 2020-21), the Nets finalized a deal to land Two-Time MVP Russell Westbrook. Despite being on an expiring contract and entering his 13th season with a big payday coming, Brad felt this was the time to make the deal.
“We want to compete here again in New Jersey” Brad mentioned. “We have two very talented young players, one who was top 10 in scoring last year, and another who should be a great shot maker as a rookie. By adding two very good defensive players at point guard and center, as well as Tristan (Thompson) who is a great defender in his own right, we feel we have a team that can make the playoffs in the East on a consistent basis”.
Even with Russell Westbrook going to need a new contract, it doesn’t seem New Jersey will let him slip away. “We intend to do everything we can to keep him in New Jersey through the rest of his time in the league” Brad mentioned. “He is such a talented individual that we feel still has a lot left in the tank”.
*Westbrook has averaged 20+ points for 12 consecutive seasons. His 58 Triple Doubles only trails Lebron James (61) for most in the league all-time.
With Free Agency near, it remains to be seen what next steps that the New Jersey Nets Organization. They currently have Roy Hibbert, Chris Paul, Allen Crabbe, and Trae Young under contract, who all bring different skills to the table. However, the lack of depth on the wings is noticeable. “We are looking at different options to bring in wings behind Jayson and Cade. We will see how free agency negotiations proceed. Adding a wing or two and another big are our focus".
The New Jersey Nets still have holes in their roster that they are going to need to address. But one thing is for sure, the organization is trending in the right direction as they look to make noise in the Eastern Conference and end their playoff drought.
Since that semi-finals appearance, the New Jersey Nets haven’t been back to the Playoffs. In 2016, they selected Chris Duarte (no longer in the league). Their 2017 1st was owed to the Memphis Grizzlies (as part of a previous trade), who used the selection on Markelle Fultz. He won rookie of the year, and has made two all-star games in his four seasons.
In 2018, the Nets owned their pick and selected Trae Young 7th overall, who looks to be a sixth man scoring option off the bench, rather than a starting point guard. The following year they, traded back from pick 3 to 5 and selected Kris Murray over Matisse Thybulle. The latter made the All-Rookie Team and has already been named to an All-Defensive Team. Murray was cut from his rookie deal after not improving.
*Trae has been a good scorer, but his ability to run an offense has been questioned.
Things were looking bleak and fans were calling for the owners to find a new GM. After winning just 30 games once again, in the 2019-20 season, the Nets had the 5th best odds to get the number 1 selection, where Jayson Tatum (Duke University) and Anthony Edwards (University of Georgia) were viewed as the two top prospects. With a a little luck, the Nets landed the number one pick and selected Jayson Tatum.
Despite winning just 26 games (four less from the previous year), Tatum won Rookie of the Year, was 7th in the league in scoring, giving the New Jersey Nets a bonafide star for the future giving the organization and fans hope for the future.
*Tatum lived up to being the number one selection, averaging 25.8 points per game and winning rookie of the year.
Then, after having the 5th best odds for the number one overall selection for the second consecutive lottery, the luck was on New Jersey’s side once again, moving up four spots and landing the 1st pick in the draft. With this selection, New Jersey selected Cade Cunningham out of Oklahoma State University.
*The New Jersey Nets hope that Cade will live up to the high expectations to give the organization back to back rookies of the year
With the pick of Cade, the Nets hope that him and Jayson Tatum will give the organization a formidable wing duo for the foreseeable future. Landing two of the most exciting young wings gives the fans renewed hope for the future. “We have two very talented guards that we feel are going to be great scorers for the organization” BradS4President told ESPN.com. “We can’t wait to see how they will play and work together on the court”.
Although continuing down a rebuilding road may have been the more logical approach, Brad worked the phones and landed DeAndre Jordan from the Memphis Grizzlies for two first round picks. Jordan has averaged double digit rebounds for the past eight seasons and averages two plus blocks per game for his career. He should provide a dominant presence on the interior and is locked up for a reasonable price for the next 2 seasons. “DeAndre is the best defensive big man in the league. We are excited to have him leading the way on the glass and protecting the hoop” Brad mentioned.
*Two-Time Defensive Player of the Year became a clear target for New Jersey desperate for front-court help
After landing the Three Time All-Defensive Team Nominee and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Brad was on the phone with Detroit discussing another deal. Although Chris Paul did a great job as the point guard for New Jersey (5th in the league in assists during 2020-21), the Nets finalized a deal to land Two-Time MVP Russell Westbrook. Despite being on an expiring contract and entering his 13th season with a big payday coming, Brad felt this was the time to make the deal.
“We want to compete here again in New Jersey” Brad mentioned. “We have two very talented young players, one who was top 10 in scoring last year, and another who should be a great shot maker as a rookie. By adding two very good defensive players at point guard and center, as well as Tristan (Thompson) who is a great defender in his own right, we feel we have a team that can make the playoffs in the East on a consistent basis”.
Even with Russell Westbrook going to need a new contract, it doesn’t seem New Jersey will let him slip away. “We intend to do everything we can to keep him in New Jersey through the rest of his time in the league” Brad mentioned. “He is such a talented individual that we feel still has a lot left in the tank”.
*Westbrook has averaged 20+ points for 12 consecutive seasons. His 58 Triple Doubles only trails Lebron James (61) for most in the league all-time.
With Free Agency near, it remains to be seen what next steps that the New Jersey Nets Organization. They currently have Roy Hibbert, Chris Paul, Allen Crabbe, and Trae Young under contract, who all bring different skills to the table. However, the lack of depth on the wings is noticeable. “We are looking at different options to bring in wings behind Jayson and Cade. We will see how free agency negotiations proceed. Adding a wing or two and another big are our focus".
The New Jersey Nets still have holes in their roster that they are going to need to address. But one thing is for sure, the organization is trending in the right direction as they look to make noise in the Eastern Conference and end their playoff drought.
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