NFL
How should the Brooklyn Nets approach the rest of the 2019-20 NBA season? Do they continue to fight for a playoff berth or do they let the season fall at the waistline and wait for next year? Currently, the Nets find themselves in a slump. But that’s expected considering the injuries.
If they were to continue fighting, they could find themselves in the playoffs but end up with a late first-round pick. But if they were to let it slip away, they could end up with a lottery selection. Why is that so important with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant expected back healthy for the 2020 campaign?
Unlike the New York Knicks, the Nets have a future. It just so happens, it’s not now. By tanking away this season, they will put themselves in a better position to achieve greatness.
It’s a hard pill to swallow for Nets’s fans as they’re passionate but think about what all this could mean. Look at the Golden State Warriors and what they’re going through this season. Yes, it sucks but imagine what their 2020-21 roster will look like. Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, D’Angelo Russell, and possibly a top 3 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
This is the blueprint for the Nets to follow. With the news that Irving’s is still having issues with his shoulder, it became clear they should shut him down for the remainder of the season. If he does come back at all this season, all playoff hopes could be lost. Let him rest and get healthy which will allow the other players to get quality minutes and experience for the big run next year.
Another reason for a tank is talent. The Nets are in need of a true PF. While Durant can play the position, it wouldn’t hurt to add a veteran or younger player there. Also, if tanking is truly the plan, they can use the upcoming NBA trade deadline to dangle players like Caris LeVert, Joe Harris, and DeAndre Jordan.
Now is the time to build a team while the struggle is on. Nets’ fans understand that this year was just a tune-up for the explosion in 2020. Irving, Durant, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Jarrett Allen are a strong core. The Nets’ bench will need work but that’s what the trade deadline and offseason are for.
While their salary cap space is not ideal, there is still enough to field a competitive team. The season is still not a wash as the Nets are competitive and have played with plenty of heart but is it time to dial it back a notch?
It’s all about the future in Brooklyn. There’s no need to devalue that with pride, is it?
