Revolving Door

[Jaboo]

Roster Overhaul

As fans enter the Barclays Center they are handed a lineup card, further indicating the massive turnover to the league worst Brooklyn Nets. Jaboo, to his chagrin, were not only the worst team in the league last season but the worst team in CSL history. The young GM knew it would be tough turning around the Nets, but never imagined he would be leading a historically bad team.

Inheriting a roster of:
PG. Marcus Smart
SG. JJ Redick/Austin Rivers/Alex Abrines
SF. Rodney Hood
PF. Amir Johnson/Lavoy Allen/Furkan Aldemir/Quincy Acy
C. Atem Klimenko/Alexis Ajinca/Pero Antic

Wasnt going to lead to many wins. But not many would have predicted a league low 6. Jaboo knew the roster had to continue to evolve. While keeping his eyes on the big picture, a change in culture was needed. Only 3 players return from last years team (all acquired prior to last years trade deadline) and a lineup that is far more defensive minded and much more balanced compared to the one that was inherited.

PG: Jrue Holiday/Nate Robinson/Jose Juan Barea/Gary Neal
SG: Corey Brewer/Joe Johnson
SF: Bruno Caboclo/DeAndre Daniels
PF: Julius Randle/Ersan Ilyasova/Dario Saric/Dirk Nowitzki
C: Serge Ibaka/Nikola Jokic/Anderson Varejao

Not only is the roster more talented but the Nets also currently own 7 future first round picks, each of which has the capability of becoming a lottery selection.

Questions Remain

While the lineup is certainly better, questions still remain whether or not the Nets are moving in the right direction. The Nets made two controversial trades in the offseason sending ROY Marcus Smart to the Clippers in exchange for free agent to be Jrue Holiday, oft injured Julius Randle, Dario Saric, and 2018 Milwaukee First as well as sending 4th overall pick Noah Vonleh and Jose Calderon to Toronto for free agent to be Serge Ibaka, Anderson Varejao, and Torontos 2017 First round pick.


Can Jrue finally have the season his talent suggests?

So far the jury is still out whether or not these were good trades. Jrue and Serge are each having career seasons and each will likely be heavily coveted come free agency with a max contract likely coming to each. If either leave without compensation the trade could be looked as an instant failure and a large blemish in Jaboos young career. So its no surprise that each continue to be discussed in trade rumors, with one player already considered to have one foot out the door.

Early Season Surprise?

With the season not even 20 percent of the way through, its a bit premature to consider the Nets an early surprise but through 15 games the Nets have already equaled last seasons 6 win output and are on pace for 33 wins. A 27 win turnaround would easily have to be considered one of the largest turnarounds in league history. With moves still coming, it may be unlikely to see the Nets continue this pace but with a defense first approach they hope to be in every game this year.

Future Outlook

The CSL is clearly a league dominated by superstars and without one your season is likely over before it begins. With the Nets having no player considered in the upper echelon of the league they will continue their asset accumulation. With a couple quality veterans, some highly talented promising young players, and 7 in demand future first round draft picks the assets are certainly coming into place whenever a team is ready to make a move.

[WillyJakkz]

They weren't. I understand the thinking at the time to gamble on what looked like a sure thing though.

[StOfTheStep]

It's still too early to tell, but the only problem with the trades are with the fact you received two pending FAs. Hopefully you can maintain them, that is if you want them, and this drastic roster change proves to be a turning point for your franchise. Furthermore, hopefully those two firsts you received turn out to be diamonds in the rough. Who knows? Either way, good luck this season man!

[emplep7]

I think youve done a good job of getting talent on this team, but its a lot of young talent and you lack a go to scorer. If you can find a SG that might have soe defensive deficiencies, but can score at a good clip, you should be alright.

[Marcos_Beck]

There's nothing wrong in my opinion when it comes to tying huge money to Ibaka and Holiday, specially in your situation. Surely, together they'll command 33M, but they are two plus starters at their positions (Holiday is a natural SG because of his intangibles), plus you have a lot of expirers (more than 24M, according to my Maths) other than both those two listed above. This, aligned with Saric, Randle, Caboclo and Jokic's small deals and Johnson's friendly contract, should give you enough flexibility to overpay for both your starters without any regrets.

If you're moving on with a Holiday - Johnson - Caboclo - Randle - Ibaka - Saric - Jokic core, even with Max deals you still have about 10-12M in CAP (already counting your 2 1st pick rookie salaries) which is enough for a good starter. This would turn to be a great 10 man rotation, as long as you move Varejão of course.
Obviously you said that one of Jrue / Serge is gone. In my mind, Ibaka leaving is the best option as you have two talented players at his position with different styles already. But I'd say only trade him if you can dump Varejão as well.

Good luck mate, I like your position right now, young talent, stablished players, no bad contracts, lots of draft picks, way to build a team. Better than Billy King

[WillyJakkz]

He traded Smart and Vonleh for less value going those picks he got in those trades would be high lotto picks and it hasn't worked at all.

Those are not good moves when you already had superior talent and likely another lotto pick from his own team this upcoming draft.

Gambled and losing the bet so far.

It's like trading a diamond and potential diamond (Smart Vonleh) for rubies and potential diamonds ( Holiday Ibaka picks)... Indiana Jones or Lara Croft would never do that.

[Jaboo]

He traded Smart and Vonleh for less value going those picks he got in those trades would be high lotto picks and it hasn't worked at all.

Those are not good moves when you already had superior talent and likely another lotto pick from his own team this upcoming draft.

Gambled and losing the bet so far.

It's like trading a diamond and potential diamond (Smart Vonleh) for rubies and potential diamonds ( Holiday Ibaka picks)... Indiana Jones or Lara Croft would never do that.

Willy, I would have to respectfully disagree. Of course, I have my own biased opinion and we all value talent differently but I think I could argue that Holiday is arguably as good as Smart on his own right. While Holiday is not as aggressive as a scorer as Smart is, and if he was Holiday would likely be considered a top 20 player in the league, but outside of that area Holiday is arguably a far superior player than Smart is. He is a far superior shooter, has excellent 3 point range, far better handler, and is a much much better defender. And I still was able to acquire the #4 pick in last years draft, and a draft pick next year that has a very good shot at being a lottery selection.

In regards to the Noah trade. While the Raptors are doing far better than anticipated (they are allowing 4 more points per game than they score so their record is arguably better than it should be) I dont think that Noah Vonleh by himself will ever be as good as Ibaka. So it really just depends on if he resigns or what happens with the Raptors pick. But with us transitioning towards the game handling of free agents I like my chances far more than Ibaka being handled by a player agent.

[Dennis]

Smart moves by Jaboo. Holiday is way better than Smart and Vonleh will never get onto Ibaka's level. He will have to pay them now, but value wise he definitely won those trades in my opinion.