2024 resolutions Nets fans would like to see: Improve defense, make Play-In Tournament
Brooklyn Nets icenter Nic Claxton, front left, tries to get to the ball before Oklahoma City Thunderguard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, front right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Oklahoma City. Credit: AP/Kyle Phillips
OKLAHOMA CITY — Nic Claxton hid his eyes behind sunglasses, but the Nets center couldn’t mask the weariness in his voice after a third consecutive loss Sunday.
“We’re definitely frustrated. Nobody wants to lose,” Claxton said. “I hate losing, everybody hates losing. We just got to figure it out. We just can’t get used to losing.”
Eight losses in the last 10 games isn’t how the Nets wanted to end 2023. Neither was allowing the Thunder to shoot 54.2% from the field on Sunday, the second-highest percentage the Nets have given up this season.
Now the page turns to 2024. They’re 15-18 and in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. Lonnie Walker IV is expected back soon, but issues remain on defense.
If Nets fans have any resolutions for 2024, they would start with what Mikal Bridges said needs to happen beginning Tuesday night against the Pelicans.
“Get stops,” he said. “Just get stops.”
Here are some more things fans can hope for the rest of this season:
Make Play-In Tournament
If the season ended Sunday, the Nets would be in the play-in. It’s a position most observers expected, given this roster and their record after last season’s trades.
The Nets are fortunate to be in a conference with three of the league’s worst teams in the Pistons, Wizards and Hornets. If the Nets don’t suffer a major injury or a significant losing streak, the play-in is doable.
Bridges: All-Star?
Bridges has struggled with his shooting coming off his Team USA stint, but he’s still averaging career highs in points (21.1), rebounds (5.3) and assists (3.8) and is among the league leaders in clutch-time scoring.
Is that enough for him to be a first-time All-Star? Maybe. Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum likely will get the most fan votes among the East’s frontcourt options. Jimmy Butler and Jaylen Brown also will draw consideration, as will Paolo Banchero, given the Magic’s strong start.
There’s also the Nets’ record. For Bridges to get to Indiana, he has to keep up his level of play and the Nets need to get more wins.
A healthy Simmons
Ben Simmons hasn’t been ruled out for the rest of the season, so there’s hope — albeit faint — that he’ll return at some point. The big question is when.
Because of a nerve impingement in his left lower back, he hasn’t played since Nov. 6. On Dec. 22, he said he’s just doing light individual work involving shooting. Another update will come sometime this week.
The ideal scenario whenever Simmons returns: He helps the Nets’ play-in push. His rebounding, facilitating and defense are sorely missed. But for now, this wish is about waiting and hoping for good news on Simmons, whenever that is.
Explore the trade market
With the trade deadline on Feb. 8, there will be more speculation about the Nets’ future with the state of the roster.
Seven players will be free agents after this season. The Nets could put together a package to add another high-end player alongside Bridges, but who’s the best available?
General manager Sean Marks said during the preseason that he wants this team to grow and jell before making any decisions. Yet it’s not hard to see roster changes are coming, and with the team struggling, the Nets have to figure out how best to keep building around Bridges, Claxton and Cam Johnson.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
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