Whereas Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have been the large — OK, make that solely — storylines across the Nets to this point this offseason, they’re not the one questions the group must reply.
From normal supervisor Sean Marks to teach Steve Nash to the Nets themselves, there are a number of issues to type out earlier than they tip off the common season on Oct. 19 vs. New Orleans.
Ben Simmons’ again
The Nets’ unique Huge 3 of Durant, Irving and James Harden ended up logging 16 video games collectively. Up to now, that’s greater than the brand new Huge 3, which nonetheless hasn’t taken the court docket collectively. They traded Harden for Simmons in February, however Simmons continues to be has not made his Nets debut after again surgical procedure.
Simmons, who hasn’t performed since June 20, 2021, with Philadelphia, is about to lastly go well with up for the Nets on opening night time. The final time he performed, he shot simply 33.3 % from the free-throw line and didn’t take a single 3-pointer in a second-round playoff exit for the Sixers.
Sources near Simmons advised The Put up final month he’ll be prepared for camp, and ESPN reported this similar this week. He has been in Los Angeles understanding with coach Chris Johnson. When Johnson was requested if Simmons is engaged on his 3-point taking pictures, he replied “Completely.”
Nic Claxton’s foul taking pictures?
Regardless of a calming Dominican Republic trip spent horse using — and a brand new two-year, $20 million contract — the summer season hasn’t been all enjoyable and video games for Nic Claxton. After he began 19 video games final season, the middle job lastly seems to be his. However contemplating his 1-for-11 horror present from the free-throw line in the Nets’ loss to the Celtics in Recreation 4 of their first-round playoff defeat, bettering that foul taking pictures has been offseason precedence No. 1.
“Simply my total sport. In fact, free throws,” mentioned Claxton, who targeted on his foul taking pictures this summer season with Nets assistant Ryan Forehan-Kelly and Texas-based coach Tim Martin. “Engaged on my shot, getting stronger, after which simply persevering with to construct off these previous couple of years.”
Claxton missed his first 10 free throws — six within the first quarter — of that Recreation 4 loss earlier than lastly sinking his last try within the fourth quarter. It obscured the very fact he’d improved his foul taking pictures final season from 48.4 % the 12 months earlier than to 58.1 — together with 60.9 as a starter, a job he appears set to inherit.
How one can spherical out the roster
The Nets let their $6.27 million commerce exception (from the DeAndre Jordan deal) expire Friday and made no strikes this previous week, identical to a lot of the NBA. However in contrast to a lot of the league, they've large holes. The Nets have a half-dozen openings on their 20-man camp roster, tied for probably the most within the NBA.
The Nets have 12 gamers on assured customary offers, one (Edmond Sumner) on a partially assured contract and one other on a two-way deal (undrafted rookie Alondes Williams). That leaves them with three Exhibit 10 spots, a two-way and two customary offers nonetheless open.
Late final week, there have been solely 16 openings for normal offers nonetheless open in the entire league, and the Nets had two of them. David Duke Jr. is eyeing one after declining the group’s two-way provide. The restricted free agent continues to be ready to see if Marks will up his provide to a regular deal, or if he must settle or search one elsewhere.
Teaching questions
Durant demanded the Nets hearth Nash in the event that they don’t meet his commerce request. And whereas that appears unlikely — group proprietor Joe Tsai backed Nash and Marks — there are nonetheless questions on the remainder of the employees. Particularly: Who's going to be the Nets’ defensive coordinator?
The Nets misplaced overly certified assistant coach Ime Udoka, who left to be head coach in Boston final offseason. Nash’s former worker turned the Celtics into the league’s finest protection and swept the Nets en path to an NBA Finals run. This summer season the Nets have misplaced assistant Jordan Ott (granted, extra of an offensive thoughts, however a tough employee concerned in each facet of the group) to the Lakers.
Anyone on this employees has to step up and assist tighten up their sieve-like protection. Jacque Vaughn is the most definitely, however he has had combined ends in that position to this point.
Who’s the voice
Play-by-play man Michael Grady is leaving the YES Community and the Nets to turn out to be the voice of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Bally Sports activities North. The information was first reported by The Athletic.
“I like y’all,” Grady advised the Nets and their followers on Twitter, preceded and adopted by coronary heart emojis.
“I like y’all,” Grady had advised the Nets and their followers on Twitter, preceded and adopted by coronary heart emojis.
“I like ya!” Tsai tweeted again. “All the perfect in Minnesota. We are going to miss you!” However who will find yourself filling the Emmy winner’s sizeable footwear?
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