.@KDTrey5 thinks his 2K22 rating should be a 99 👀 Thoughts? #2KRatings pic.twitter.com/n5Pm3XzdVy
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Nets Insider Videos
Nets face likely ECF opponent in Bucks opening night, potential finals preview at Lakers on Christmas Day
The NBA released its marquee matchups ahead of the 2021-2022 season and the Brooklyn Nets will travel to Milwaukee on the league's opening night, October 19, while Brooklyn will head to Staples Center Christmas Day to take on the Lakers.
Both clubs will likely pose obstacles on the Nets path to a championship. The defending champs, Milwaukee, bested a shorthanded Brooklyn squad in seven games in the second round of the 2021 playoffs, while Los Angeles bowed out to the eventual Western Conference champion Suns.
Assuming injuries don't ravaged the three best teams on paper in the league, it's likely that each of the franchises has a major say in who hoists the Larry O'Brien Trophy at the end of the season.
Cam Thomas' emergence in Vegas Summer league will help Nets withstand loss of Spencer Dinwiddie
After a sign and trade that saw the Brooklyn Nets send Spencer Dinwiddie to Washington as part of a sign and trade deal where Sean Marks' diamond in the rough inked a three-year, $54 million deal, the Nets had a gaping hole in their bench.
Free agent signing Patti Mills will help fill some of the scoring void left by the recently departed Dinwiddie, but a 19-year old rookie may have an unaccounted for impact this upcoming year.
Cam Thomas out of LSU has been tearing up the NBA's Vegas Summer League and remarkably fell into Marks' lap at No. 27 overall in the 2021 NBA draft.
Thomas led all freshmen in scoring with the Tigers at 23 points per game, but pro scouts poked holes in his game and doubted his ability to score at the same level against NBA level players.
So far, Thomas is making his doubters look foolish as he's led all scorers in Vegas including dropping 36 points on Sunday night against San Antonio.
The Nets had a historic offense last season, despite their big three playing in a total of nine games together, and adding a dynamic, yet inexperienced raw scorer like Thomas to the fold could take the team to unprecedented heights. Brooklyn won't be short on offense, but defense and rebounding remain the team's most glaring weaknesses heading into the regular season.
Jason Kidd's son reveals distant relationship with his father in emotional post
Since Kidd divorced from Joumana back in 2008, T.J. opened up about the difficulties of being the son of a famous star in the aftermath of his parents separating.
Hopefully whatever chasm has developed between the father and son can be filled soon.
Extensions looming for Harden and Irving means scary hours in Brooklyn is here to stay
urther, on the verge of agreeing to long-term deals should excite Nets fans. With the trio of stars in the fold for the foreseeable future, Brooklyn maintains its status as an Eastern Conference powerhouse. Harden and Irving are fully recovered from injuries suffered during the Milwaukee playoff and have revenge on their minds with the regular season two months away.Harden has to opt-in to his 2022-23 contract and extend for an additional 3 seasons.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 11, 2021
The first year of an extension cannot be less than the option year that is declined. https://t.co/UzIpSJiKsg
Report: Kevin Durant to sign four-year, $198 million extension, Irving, Harden extensions up next?
Durant, 32, Harden, 31, and Irving, 29, are in the prime of their careers and more than willing to sacrifice their personal accolades for the betterment of the team.Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant plans to sign a four-year, $198 million contract extension sometime after he becomes eligible on Saturday, @RichKleiman tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 6, 2021
For more on the deal, go to @Boardroom: https://t.co/99HDz3oVik
Nets' GM Sean Marks needs to keep his eyes on the prize by inking Irving, Durant and Harden to long term extensions
The Nets are notorious for keeping contract talks and injury updates under wraps, but the fact that not even a single report has surfaced that Sean Marks is actively involved in discussions to extend Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden is mildly alarming.
All three players hold player options following the upcoming NBA season and while fans fully expect them to be back in Brooklyn on long term extensions, having that loose end hanging out there throughout the 2021-2022 campaign is less than ideal. It would be the backdrop to the team's championship pursuit and force three players who aren't exactly media darlings into answer questions time and time again about their futures.
While Durant is pursuing a Gold Medal with Team USA in Tokyo, Irving and a svelte Harden are in the lab and making use of a full off-season, Marks will need to get their ears and find a mutually beneficial deal to agree to.
Owner Joe Tsai has shown a willingness to spend into the luxury tax and that will be a reality if the Big Three remain in the borough for the foreseeable future.
The Nets have a championship window with three of the top 7 players in the NBA and need to capitalize on the situation as much as possible. Marks can't take his eye off the eight ball now as inking his top playmakers needs to be a top priority before the season starts.