Moving forward, the Nets should be concerned about head coach Jacque Vaughn‘s long-term fit, says Lucas Kaplan of Nets Daily.
Kaplan notes that Brooklyn’s offense has been fairly limited, in part due to personnel, but also because it has appeared at a loss for how to attack defenses that rely on switching. Kaplan adds that Brooklyn has struggled to score late in games recently, which has cost the team dearly.
At 18-27, the Nets are currently the No. 10 seed in the East, but are also in danger of falling out of the play-in race entirely.
There’s more out of Brooklyn:
- Although the Nets have been the subject of frequent trade speculation leading up to the February 8 deadline, Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscriber link) writes that Brooklyn’s players are striving to remain focused on the games in front of them. Lewis wonders whether the club will make only minor moves at the deadline or whether more significant changes could be in store. Dorian Finney-Smith, Royce O’Neale, and Spencer Dinwiddie are among the team’s potential trade candidates, and it’s fair to question Vaughn’s job security as well, Lewis writes.
- Vaughn has verified that – as previously reported – oft-injured guard Ben Simmons, one of the Nets’ priciest players, remains on track to return to action this week, per Bridget Reilly of The New York Post. A nerve impingement in his back has kept Simmons on the shelf since November 6. “Yeah, all signs pointing towards the likelihood of him playing next week,” Vaughn said. Tim Bontemps of ESPN tweets that the three-time All-Star has been listed as probable to be available Monday against the Jazz. Across his six healthy games this year, Simmons has averaged 6.5 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 6.7 APG, and 0.8 BPG
- Nets forward Cameron Johnson missed Brooklyn’s 106-104 Saturday win over the Rockets, Reilly writes in another article for The Post. He missed the contest due to undivulged personal reasons. “That’s the thing about life is, it’s beyond basketball,” Vaughn said pregame. “So, nothing that is going to be a detriment to him returning or anything of that nature.” The Nets could use all the help they can get, having dropped 12 of their past 16 contests. The 6’8″ wing is averaging 13.8 PPG on .452/.398/.714 shooting this season, along with 4.6 RPG, 2.6 APG and 0.7 SPG.
Nets have too many issues to be competitive. They lack talent, draft picks and cap space. At least they have Ben Simmons coming back next year on a team friendly $40M.
This is false. Issues can be fixed when you get on top of it. Problems are issues you failed to address.
The Nets’ BIGGEST issue is sufficient Point-Guard play. Spencer Dinwiddie is no longer a good option. The Nets can trade him and promote Cam Thomas to the position. The Nets can send Dinwiddie and Royce O’Neale to the Lakers for Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent.
Once this deadline passes, whatever issues we have will become problems. There’s still time to fix them and become competitive enough to make the Playoffs
Thomas as the point guard? Doesn’t that usually involve passing?
Yeah, it does.
Moreover, it usually involves high isolation rates and the ability to create one’s own shot. Don’t mistake primary ball-handler or secondary ball handlers with shot creators. All Point-Guards are not created equal.
Cam Thomas is 6’1″ tall. If you want to maximize his potential, have him guard the position where the players are closer to his height, rather than several inches taller
Ben Simmons the biggest NBA gump of all time
Cameron Johnson for Gordon Hayward.
Charlotte gets a young veteran “good guy” on a long-term contract to replace the outgoing older veteran. Brooklyn gets a player who’s often injured, but possesses an expiring contract.
Who says no?!
Many fans forget the 18-2 span Jacque Vaughn had when we had Durant and Irving. The team was a mess with Steve Nash and the lackluster Ben Simmons. Vaughn has done a poor job with the team this season, and Sean Marks set him up to fail.
How?!
WHO is our starting Point-Guard?
I am happy to see Ben Simmons return. I hope he’s ready to kill because Kevin Durant comes to town on Wednesday.
The Nets STILL have a major hole at Point-Guard. Hopefully, Spencer gets traded before the deadline so that either Cam Thomas or someone else can fill the void. Ben Simmons playing Point-Forward at the 3 means more scoring. If Marks gets a Center capable of spacing the floor, the Nets will go as high as 6th place
they’re not gonna magically get a center that can space the floor yet, plus they need to play Clax as much as possible bc he’s their best defender and 2nd best player imo after Mikal
Magically? How old are you? 12?!
You go and make a trade! I’m sure you missed the rumor from a few weeks ago that the Magic are considering trading Wendell Carter, Jr.
He fits the bill. Plus, you can play him and Claxton together. The only question is what do the Magic want from us in return.
Schroeder is a good option
I wouldn’t mind Schroder playing backup Point-Guard. I can’t imagine he’s happy in Toronto, and I’m sure he’ll be equally pissed playing for us
Ben and a FRP for Hayward or Lowry and a move on. Let him sail off in to basketball oblivion.
No need to trade Simmons. He’s looking good in his return tonight, and even if this doesn’t last, the Nets aren’t doing much this season or next season while he’s under contract.
Trade Cameron Johnson for an expiring contract? That frees up space for the potentially huge free agent class of 2026