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Player Nets need to trade before deadline isn't the one you think


 The Brooklyn Nets are one of the surprise stories in the NBA this season, sitting at a very respectable 4-4 record heading into Friday night's matchup against the Boston Celtics. 

Led by a sensational 22-year old in Cam Thomas, who will be sidelined at least two weeks with an ankle sprain, and supported by veterans Mikal Bridges, Spencer Dinwiddie and Ben Simmons.


Brooklyn might be some subtle roster maneuvering away from making serious noise in the East. 

So, as Sean Marks looks to maintain cap flexibility, he'll have big decisions about the future free agent status of Nic Claxton heading into this upcoming summer and Simmons the summer to follow.

While most are rumoring that Simmons will be on the move ahead of February's trade deadline, it's actually Claxton who makes the most sense to ship out.

The Nets center has missed more games than he's played in during his young career and it's problematic from a spacing and free throw efficiency standpoint for him to play alongside Simmons for extended minutes, particularly in clutch time.

Claxton could be a huge add for a center-needy contending team and could bring in a combination of significant draft capital and perhaps a quality big man in return. 

Brooklyn has an embarrassment of riches at the wing position and Marks could get very creative pairing Claxton with Royce O'Neale to bring in valuable draft and front court pieces 

Cam Thomas injury latest example Nets can't have nice things

 Cam Thomas hasn't just been good for the Brooklyn Nets this season, he's been historically good. 



So, with the Nets in cloud nine watching a budding 22-year old superstar blooming before their very eyes, the franchise standout fell on tough luck on Wednesday night against the Clippers.

 Thomas turned his left ankle in the first half of the Nets eventual win over Los Angeles as he attempted to dribble around PJ Tucker. The Nets have indicated that Thomas will be revaluated in two weeks and an MRI revealed an ankle sprain.

 After a drama filled few seasons with mercurial superstars James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant all asking to be traded, Nets World was gearing up to enjoy a homegrown franchise cornerstone help make a playoff push. 

 The Nets have been a snake bitten franchise and this injury setback is just the latest example.

Simmons' late game blunder nearly costs Nets a win in Chicago

 



The Brooklyn Nets have won three in a row after a thrilling 109-107 victory in Chicago.

Dorian Finney-Smith dropped 21, Mikal Bridges 20 and Cam Thomas 17 as Brooklyn withstood a late charge by the Bulls and climbed aver the .500 mark on the season at 3-2.

Meanwhile, Ben Simmons had 8 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, while going 4 for 8 from the field. 

The highly scrutinized point center has been contributing in the intangible department and  looks healthier than he ever has been in a Nets uniform. However, the Nets 6-foot-10 playmaker is not attacking the paint and rim with regularity.


Simmons made a baffling move in the closing seconds of the game on Friday night, not on offense, but on the defensive side of the ball.

 As Zach Levine his second free three attempt, Simmons inexplicably batted the ball out beyond the 3-point line instead of grabbing the board and gave Levine an open look for a potential game winner.

Luckily for Simmons and the Nets, Levine's shot clanked off the iron and out, but it was too close for comfort.

Simmons has been a bit of a liability in late game situations due to his poor free throw shooting, questionable decision making and costly turnovers. Brooklyn is hoping Simmons continues to gain confidence as the Nets are one of the surprise stories in the NBA so far this season.

Nets Halloween costume idea honors Cam Thomas

 


The Brooklyn Nets have officially unleashed Cam Thomas and the results have been nothing short of spectacular. In fact, Thomas' scoring output has been downright historic.

 So when the Brooklyn Nets tweeted about their young shooting guard's performance around spooky season, it definitely drew a few laughs!




 

 Thomas is one of the league's most exciting young players and if he keeps anything close to this pace up, it will be hard to deny him an All-Star bid come February. 

Kyrie's Hollywood story with Nets became a nightmare on Atlantic Avenue

 


Kyrie Irving was the driving force that brought Kevin Durant to Brooklyn. A Jersey kid that grew up in West Orange and sat in the upper deck of the Meadowlands, formerly known as Continental Airlines Arena. Irving idolized Jason Kidd and vowed to get the Nets to the finals just like the captain did, except he promised that he'd win that elusive Larry O'Brien Trophy.


After nearly four years of drama, disappointment and injuries, Irving came and went without delivering on his promise. 

In fact, Irving demanded a trade at least year's deadline. Apparently, Irving was unhappy with his ongoing negotiations for a long-term contract extension. 

Alas, the Nets and Irving broke their partnership and went their separate ways. Kevin Durant followed in suit and here is Brooklyn without the star power of years past, but with a happy, relatively healthy and younger locker room.

Now, on the eve Irving's first game against his former club, Nets fans are rooting for the hometown kid to come up as short as he did in big moments time and time again in Brooklyn both on and off the court.

NBA's leading scorer doesn't even start for Nets

 


The Brooklyn Nets can proudly boast they have the highest scoring player in the league, albeit after just one game. 

That's right, Cam Thomas with his 36-point outburst off the bench has earned the top scorer designation.

Thomas' 36 is the most points scored in a season opener by a player off the bench in NBA history.

Thomas became the first Net since Cliff T. Robinson scored 45 on March 9, 1980, to score more than 40 points of the bench last year on February 4, 2023 against the Wizards when he dropped 44. 

Thomas' minutes have been a major talking point at the start of the season as head coach Jacque Vaughn refused to play the talented scorer for any significant minutes in last year's playoffs sweep at the hands of the Sixers.

Thomas looks to have a more integral role and now the challenge remains how will Vaughn avoid a second straight loss when Brooklyn visits Kyrie Irving in Dallas on Friday. 



Cam Thomas drops 36, Simmons just 4 in Nets' tough opening loss

 


Ben Simmons looked primed for an All-Star campaign in the preseason, then the regular season hit. Simmons tallied four points, nine assists and ten rebounds in 23 minutes. 

Cam Thomas poured in 36 points in 25 minutes but missed the potential game winner as Brooklyn squandered a six point lead with 90 seconds left. 

The Nets looked out of sorts offensively and lacsadaisical defensively in the first quarter as they surrendered 37 points in the opening period to the Cavaliers.


Mikal Bridges added 20, but was not the focal point of Brooklyn's offense. 

Simmons only attempted six shots and converted two, looking reluctant to even look at the basket. The Nets committed 17 turnovers as the sloppy play from the preseason carried over to the opener. 

Jacque Vaughn told reporters following the game that the goal as far as minutes distribution is to get each rotation guy 30 minutes per game. 

As Vaughn tinkers with lineups, it's undeniable the Nets have a flawed offensive roster and when they come out without a willingness to defend like they did at the beginning of this game, they don't stand much of a chance. 

Brooklyn will play in Dallas on Friday against friend turned foe Kyrie Irving. 



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