The Many Unanswered Questions Of The Brooklyn Nets

It should come as no grand statement to proclaim the Brooklyn Nets’ 2021-2022 season a disappointment after their 0-4 sweep at the hands of the Boston Celtics. Furthermore, it should come as no surprise that the organization has plenty of roster decisions to make this coming offseason.

But perhaps, more importantly, the Nets should spend the next few months figuring out exactly what type of franchise they want to be moving forward, as their identity seems to be non-existent. For a team with championship aspiration, that’s a grueling shortcoming, which isn’t working in their favor.

But first, a note.

In this piece, the uncertainty of Ben Simmons’ future status with the Nets will not be tied to guesswork about his mental state, as that would be entirely irresponsible and inappropriate.

The untested trio

Going into the 2022-2023 season, all eyes will be on Simmons, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving. The trio did not share the court this season, so the on-court fit remains somewhat of a mystery.

In theory, the addition of Simmons plugs several holes defensively, which was a grand need of the Nets all year long, and he should help create a more balanced team, as he doesn’t require 18-20 shot attempts per game. In practice, no one really knows anything yet, however.

Will the introduction of Simmons to the Nets mesh with how Irving and Durant want to play? Simmons, who is also a tremendous playmaker, handles the ball a ton, and was used as the point guard in Philadelphia for the entirety of his stay there. Will Irving be as open to moving into more of a scoring role with Simmons, as he was James Harden? Will Simmons’ lack of shooting range prevent Irving and Durant from getting into the teeth of the defense as easily as they’re used to?

And yes, there is of course the uncertainty as to how available Simmons will be over the course of 82 games, which does factor into the team’s own strategy and goals for the year. But perhaps going into the season with a shared understanding of Simmons’ situation can help smooth that road, making it easier for both parties to lay out a plan that takes into account potentially missed time.

It’s no secret that Simmons is an extraordinary talent who will help dictate how far the Nets will go, thus necessitating the need for a plan. Even if Simmons is generally widely available at the start of the year, it’s crucial the two sides keep communicating.

These are major questions for a team hoping to win a ring within the next few years.

Re-signing Kyrie Irving

Of course, the Nets will need to figure out the Irving situation first. The former All-Star guard has a player option worth $36.5 million, and it would appear likely that he turns it down, solely to re-sign with the Nets for more money on a longer contract.

Given that the Nets won’t have much to play with in terms of cap space, it seems logical they’d be interested in keeping Irving around, if not to keep him, then as not to lose a potential trade asset. With the vaccine mandate now a closed chapter in the state of New York, Irving also will be able to play with no limitations next season, assuming the current situation sticks.

It’s worth noting, however, that the Nets would have to accept Irving with everything he comes with, some of which will be viewed as frequent distractions, and an uneasy relationship with the media. If they still have a stomach for it, and in fairness it seems that they do, it’d make sense for them to continue that partnership as long as the team can focus at the tasks at hand.

Whether Irving commands a long-term max remains to be seen, but for the Nets, they almost have to accept whatever he wants, simply as not to lose a crucial asset. They have too much riding on the late-career push by Durant to go into a Portland-like semi rebuild. They also don’t have the time, as Durant is turning 34 later this year. The clock is ticking.

The return of role players

Nic Claxton and Bruce Brown are both on the market this year, and both should command in the area of $12-15 million annually. That obviously means a significant luxury tax bill, but one the Nets likely will need to brace for, if they’re serious about winning a title.

Claxton proved himself the most effective and agile big man on the team, and he’s worth hanging onto as the only switchable 6’11 player they have, who isn’t named Kevin Durant.

As for Brown, the four-year veteran made offensive strides this season, while maintaining great defensive energy. He won’t wow anyone with modest stat lines, but his hustle, rebounding ability, and overall positional flexibility are all huge assets for a team that is generally lacking in some of those departments.

The Nets will need that type of versatility next year, when they make another go. More than likely, they’d want to face the Celtics – now the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference – to get some revenge blows in after this year’s brutal beat down.

Overall, this should be a busy summer in Brooklyn.