It's safe to say that this isn't the Brooklyn Nets season to bring a championship back to the borough. That being said, the Nets are still a heavily slept-on team that has the chance to make some noise in the NBA.
Brooklyn knows what it's getting in terms of solidified role players such as Dorian Finney-Smith and Dennis Schroder, as they are seasoned veterans who know what they are bringing to the table every outing. However, fans are left unsure of what other players are going to add to the team this upcoming season. These are the five players that will make or break the Nets' 2024-2025 season.
1. Cam Thomas
It is no secret that Cam Thomas can score the basketball, as he is the youngest player in NBA history to record three consecutive 40-point games! As the second option behind Mikal Bridges, he averaged 22.5 points per game on 44.2% shooting from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc. With the absence of Bridges in the recent trade with the New York Knicks, the team is shifting the focal point of their offense to Thomas.
The 6'3" scoring machine is listed as a shooting guard with a secondary position at small forward. Being an undersized 2 guard is acceptable, but when playing small forward, the Nets become heavily undersized. Cam Thomas needs to continue working on becoming a combo guard so he can also facilitate the ball at the point guard position.
While he had early struggles with playmaking in the early stages of his career, he put up a career-high 2.9 assists a game in the 2023-24 season, and as the offense begins to run through him, this number could take a huge leap. If Thomas can improve his playmaking abilities, the Nets will surprise a lot of teams, but that also depends on this next player.
2. Nicolas Claxton
Many people might think Claxton has already reached his potential as a mid-tier starting center in the NBA, but with proper coaching, he can ascend further. Claxton is a high-flying pick-and-roll center with elite defense on the interior and can even do a good job holding down guards on the perimeter. Even Dallas Mavericks star point guard, Luka Doncic, gave Claxton high praise on his defense on JJ Redick's "Old Man and the Three" podcast.
“He's a 5, and he was picking me up full court, he was really guarding me good," Doncic said after the Mavericks faced the Nets in February of 2024.
Receiving a compliment like that from one of the hardest players to guard ever shows Claxton's true defensive value.
When it comes to his struggles on the floor, it is evident that he doesn't stretch the floor at all, or even shoot free throws at a high percentage, sitting at mediocre 55.1%. As an athletic big who likes to attack the rim, having a consistent free throw is essential. Such an inconsistent shooting mark puts the coaching staff in a tough position as to whether he should be playing during late-game situations, as teams tend to foul him.
If Claxton can even develop a little bit of a midrange along with that free throw to add another option out of the screen, it would open up various opportunities for the offense.
3. Jalen Wilson
After a season of limited playing time on the Brooklyn Nets during the 2023-24 season, Wilson came to play in the Summer League. He was awarded the NBA 2K25 Summer League MVP award. Wilson averaged 21.8 points per game while shooting 47.3% from the field and 55% from three, leading his team to a 3-2 record.
If given more playing time, Wilson can become a great two-way player due to his frame, defensive mechanics, and smooth shooting. Being paired up with a pass-first point guard in Dennis Schroder and a scoring machine in Cam Thomas, Wilson can divert attention in the opposing team's defenses and can become a very key piece to the Nets winning games.
4. Noah Clowney
Noah Clowney is a 6'10" power forward who can play a very key role during the 2024-25 season. Despite the limited playing time that Clowney had the previous season, he made an instant impact when he checked into games. In just 23 games he averaged 5.8 points per contest on 53.8% shooting from the field and 36.4% from three. However, what really makes this young prospect stand out is his rim-protecting ability.
Pairing a lanky forward like Clowney with Claxton at the center spot would very much compensate for their smaller frames. Just like Claxton, Clowney can switch off of screens to defend the opposing team's guard if needed. Having another 2-way big man in the frontcourt could be a serious issue for other bigs facing the Nets this season.
5. Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons is in the most unique situation on this list, as the NBA already knows what he is capable of. The three-time All-Star has struggled with injuries in his back and leg, which has limited him to only playing in 57 games in his two seasons as a Net.
While he might never reach the playing ability of his 76er days, he still holds a very valuable role as an elite defender and passer. If Simmons can stay on the court this season, he could be a huge piece on the Nets roster and can hopefully be the glue guy of this team.
While the Nets are in the very beginning stages of rebuilding, they still have the potential to make a push for a play-in spot due to their great young core. With these five players stepping up to the challenge, the Nets could shake up borough and the NBA more than expected.