Nets Brace for Overhauled Backcourt as Young Guards Step In
nets-backcourt-overhaul-youth-cam-thomas-usage
The Brooklyn Nets are heading into the next season with a radically altered backcourt after a series of offseason departures left the team short on experienced ballhandlers and playmakers.
ESPN’s Zach Kram, citing GeniusIQ tracking data, reported that six Nets logged at least three minutes of possession per game last year. Five of those players—Dennis Schroder, D’Angelo Russell, Ben Simmons, Killian Hayes and Trendon Watford—are no longer on the roster. Forward Cameron Johnson, the club’s second-leading scorer, has also moved on.
Brooklyn added Michael Porter Jr. to help replace Johnson’s shot-making, but the former Denver Nugget is not considered a primary creator. With few established options left to initiate the offense, the Nets are expected to hand significant responsibility to their incoming rookie class, which features a record five first-round picks.
The turnover could also expand the role of Cam Thomas, who is a restricted free agent. Thomas posted a 32.6 percent usage rate last season—just behind Paolo Banchero and Cade Cunningham—and that figure could climb with fewer veteran options around him.
Whether an expanded workload for Thomas and heavy minutes for rookies accelerate development or create growing pains remains to be seen, but Brooklyn’s offensive look is poised for a dramatic change.
Source: Hoops Wire
