Where Do the Brooklyn Nets Stand in the Eastern Conference?
The Brooklyn Nets have had a busy offseason, acquiring several talented role players. Michael Porter Jr. and Terance Mann are the most significant acquisitions so far that the Nets have made. Both players were outstanding role players, often serving as starters for their previous teams. Additionally, the Nets also got Haywood Highsmith, one of the better defensive players on the Miami Heat last season. You add that with the re-signing of Ziaire Williams and Day’Ron Sharpe, the Nets' roster appears to be ready to compete.
This aligns with the Nets' plan for rebuilding. For the next seven years, they will have the most draft picks in the NBA, and with this roster, they seem unlikely to wait much longer to make some noise. They are a high-profile superstar away from making the NBA Playoffs next season, provided the roster stays healthy. The Eastern Conference, at least the lower seeds five or maybe even six through ten, are up for grabs for most of the season. The Indiana Pacers and their star players are either injured or have moved on. The Boston Celtics team has been depleted. The biggest legitimate threats in the East are the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers because they have proven they can go deep in the playoffs.
Every other team is a wild card, except for the Milwaukee Bucks with Giannis Antetokounmpo and now Myles Turner leading the charge. The Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, and Orlando Magic would have to fend off most of every other team in the East. If the Nets make the Play-In, they have a very good chance of entering the playoffs. Facing off against younger teams at your same talent level benefits the Nets because of the experience they now have on their roster. One more big move or getting a bona fide superstar, then the Nets will be in the playoffs. This season, with Giannis and Trae Young becoming free agents in the next one or two seasons, this could become a blessing in disguise. However, the Nets must not falter and play their hardest, because if they do, they might end up making a superstar move as soon as the trade deadline. If that happens, they are definitely making the playoffs.
