The Brooklyn Nets nearly shocked the basketball world with a couple wins over the Atlanta Hawks in the opening round of the NBA playoffs. But after coming up short in Game 6, the focus has shifted to an uncertain future. Every single player that played for the Nets in the playoffs is on the books for next season as well and while the threat of major changes via trade still lingers, that was the case this year as well and nothing happened. The question for fantasy players is what do we make of this Nets roster?
It’s old, but still had a strong finish to the season compared to their sluggish opening. And they pushed the Hawks. Can Lionel Hollins and company carry over that momentum? Fantasy players are hoping so, which means there could be some fantasy gems on this roster. Here’s how we rank the value on this team heading into the offseason:
1. Brook Lopez – C
(17.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.75 BPG)
Lopez led the way for the Nets this season with a team-high 17.2 points per game and while he tired towards the end of the opening round series versus the Atlanta Hawks, he still showed flashes of how good he can be for Brooklyn. Lopez is still 27 and he will have to be the focal point of any success they have going forward. There is really no reason to expect a major drop off in his statistics as the best fantasy option for the Nets looking forward to the 2015-16 NBA season.
2. Joe Johnson – SF
(14.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.7 APG)
Johnson played in 80 of Brooklyn’s 82 games this season, which is eight more than Lopez and 14 more than Deron Williams. Only Lopez posted a higher points per game for the Nets this season than the 14.4 posted by Johnson this year and he was able to contribute across the board with 4.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Johnson will be 34 by the time the 2015-16 NBA season gets underway but as long as he continues to stay healthy, he will be one of Brooklyn’s better fantasy options. Just don’t overpay when you draft him because he’s a big name.
3. Thaddeus Young – SF
(13.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.36 SPG)
Young was an absolute beast for the Nets in the playoffs after arriving from the Minnesota Timberwolves via a midseason trade averaging, 10.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists while averaging just 31.7 minutes per game. While there is an early option on his contract, there is a good chance Brooklyn keeps him for next season. Young can do a little bit of everything and if they can carve him out a bigger role for next year, he has the potential to rank among the best fantasy options for the Nets.
4. Deron Williams – PG
(13.0 PPG, 6.6 APG, 3.5 RPG)
Williams isn’t playing at nearly the same level he did when he first arrived in Brooklyn but his contract is pretty close to impossible to trade, so there is a good chance he will be back with the Nets next year. Playing starter’s minutes in the Eastern Conference will give Williams plenty of opportunities to pad his stats in certain games. If he can spend the offseason working on his game and getting in shape, he has the potential to exceed this year’s season averages although the more likely scenario is that he continues to decline. You’ll want to stay away from him.
5. Jarrett Jack – PG
(12.0 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.1 RPG)
Jack is still under contract with Brooklyn for two more years and there is a good chance we will see similar numbers from him next season coming off the bench and filling in with some spot starts if injuries hit the team’s starting guards. Jack averaged 12.0 points, 4.7 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game for the Nets this past season and he should be able to post similar averages looking forward to the 2015-16 NBA season. Keep an eye on his status because maybe the Nets realize that Williams is better suited for a bench role permanently. That would spike Jack’s value.
