Now that the season is more than halfway complete, we can honestly evaluate the performance of the Brooklyn Nets. While the winning percentage is bad and overall level of play has fallen as of late, there are still few silver linings to the season.
Strong Coaching
Jordi Fernandez may have been doing his job too well, especially before the trades of Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith. Entering December, the Nets were 9-11 and playing an energetic, competitive brand of basketball.
Since that point, Brooklyn is just 5-20, though you could certainly argue that’s completely by design as the Nets hope to improve their 2025 NBA Draft odds. Coaches around the league like Denver’s Michael Malone have praised Fernandez not just for his basketball acumen, but also for his ability to build relationships with his players. That will prove to be pivotal for the organization while striving to become competitive again in the years ahead.
Jordi Fernández discusses the loss to the Kings with @Meghan_Triplett and the rest of the media. #NETSonYES pic.twitter.com/PUcbnGYRot
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) January 28, 2025
Cameron Johnson
Johnson is having a phenomenal season, in turn providing value to the Nets in multiple ways. He’s nearly a member of the revered 50/40/90 club and averages close to 20 points per game, though out of the lineup lately with an ankle injury that, while to be taken seriously, might be more about posturing than recovery.
His strong play is helping Brooklyn fight for wins, enhancing his trade value and potentially setting the Nets up for a haul of exciting future assets. If the Nets don’t find a suitable trade partner, they’ll be glad to have Johnson’s impactful skill set on their roster for the road to come.
The Tank Is On
Through the first 20 games or so, Brooklyn was too good to have a real shot at the top of the lottery. Since, the Nets have successfully subtracted talent and discovered enough injuries to move to the fifth-worst record in the league. If they can move into the top three, the team will earn a maximum 14-percent shot at the top pick and standout Duke sensation Cooper Flagg.
While the Nets aren't box office, the season has gone exactly how many fans and informed observers expected. It was always going to be a year that focused on the growth of young players and providing a bright future for the team at the expense of the present. Hopefully, in a year or two, the choices pay off with the Nets finally fighting for a title.