The Nets have a front office trying to tank, a coach trying to build a winning culture and players with something to prove.
Whether Brooklyn can turn that paradox into progress will determine how successful their season was in the long run.
They committed to a painful rebuild on June 25, when Nets owner Joe Tsai and general manager Sean Marks pulled off double deals to ship star Mikal Bridges to the rival Knicks for a record-tying five first-round picks (along with a swap) and also reclaimed their own 2025 and ’26 selections from Houston.
The Nets didn’t do all that without the intention of being in the lottery at the end of the season. They know how painful this season will be.
“Everything needs to be worked on. I mean, it’s going to be a long year,” said Ben Simmons. “It’s one of those things where we’ve just got to continue to get better everywhere on the floor, offensively and defensively. We’ve made steps each day, but we’ve got to continue to do that.”
Brooklyn is projected to be the worst team in the NBA by the betting houses, but rookie head coach Jordi Fernandez won’t be trying to lose. He’ll be looking to instill a winning culture in the locker room, and piling up long losing streaks runs counter to that.
There are at least eight Nets on expiring deals, including veterans Dennis Schroder, Dorian Finney-Smith and Bojan Bogdanovic. Cam Thomas, Ziaire Williams and Day’Ron Sharpe are all 2021 draftees playing for extensions. Cam Johnson is linked in trade rumors. There are plenty of players with plenty to prove.
“Even with the uncertainty, it’s not like an uncertainty where our staff and front office here has a lack of trust in me. So I feel confident,” said Johnson. “And I’m going to compete for this team. It’s not even on my mind, really. There’s tons and tons and tons of basketball to be played here, and I’m looking forward to it. So is everybody else on the team, even people who are facing the same uncertainty as me. And we’re just all-in, and whatever happens, happens.”