Brooklyn Nets Need To Focus On Their Future In 2015-16 Stretch Run

The odds are stacked firmly against the Brooklyn Nets. They don’t control any first-round picks until the 2019 draft, and their lack of success makes Brooklyn a tough sell in free agency. The Nets need to bet big on their young talent and hope new general manager Sean Marks can turn things around if they want any chance at a future.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson played just 19 games this season before needing ankle surgery, but his potential was evident. The 6-foot-7 forward out of Arizona is averaging 22.1 minutes, 5.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.4 steals, while shooting 48.1 percent from the field. On a per-36 minute basis, his numbers jump to 8.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.3 steals.

Even during a brief tenure, Jefferson established himself as one of the league’s best young perimeter defenders. He’s third among shooting guards in defensive real plus-minus behind the legendary Tony Allen and Danny Green. As impressive as Jefferson’s defense is though, his offense needs just as much work (particularly his jump shot).

According to NBA Stats, of Jefferson’s 81 field goal attempts 55 (67.9 percent frequency) were inside of 10-feet. When Jefferson, 21, develops on that end he will be an even more productive weapon for the Nets.

Brooklyn has another rookie who they expect big things from, Chris McCullough. The 6-foot-11 forward tore his ACL during his only collegiate season and was expected to miss a majority of 2015-16. McCullough made his NBA debut on Feb. 8, and has appeared in 12 games so far, logging 130 minutes. It’s not possible to tell what McCullough is capable of based on such a small sample size, but Brooklyn is hoping that by next season his potential will show up in more than just short spurts.

The Nets have put the future of the their failing franchise in Marks’ hands. The former San Antonio Spurs assistant general manager brings that championship pedigree to Brooklyn. It starts with whoever Marks hires to be his head coach — likely someone else from the Spurs family — and continues with his plan for free agency. The Nets are approaching the most important offseason in their short history, one that will alter the franchise, and that’s what they should be focusing on.