Five things Nets will need to get season back on track

Can the Nets rebound in the 23 games that remain in the regular season? Can a team that had an 11-game losing streak seriously be considered a championship contender?

The Nets obviously think they have a shot as they continue to tweak their roster to make a run in the final months. They have signed guard Goran Dragic, one of the most coveted players in the buyout market, for the rest of the season, a league source confirmed (The Athletic was first to report the signing). Dragic, who also drew interest from the Mavericks, Lakers and Bucks, will be reunited with Nets coach Steve Nash, a former Phoenix Suns teammate.

The 35-year-old entered free agency after the San Antonio Spurs bought out his contract following a trade from the Raptors earlier this month.

A year ago, Dragic played 50 games for the Heat, averaging 13.4 points and 4.4 assists in a mostly backup role. After being sent to the Raptors in the offseason as part of the Kyle Lowry trade, he averaged 8.0 points and 1.8 assists in five games. He hasn’t played since Nov. 13 and left the team Nov. 28 because of a personal matter.

Dragic isn’t expected to play heavy minutes with the Nets, but he does give them some much-needed depth if Kyrie Irving’s vaccination status continues to limit his availability and Ben Simmons struggles to get back to where he was before his problems in last season’s playoffs.

Heading into the All-Star break, the Nets were the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, far below where everyone thought they would be when the season began. Yet if everything breaks right and the Nets can put the drama of the last four months behind them, they have a shot at salvaging the season and making a deep run in the playoffs.

Here are five things that have to happen for the Nets to be a legitimate title contender:

1 Kevin Durant returns soon and stays healthy

You can blame James Harden’s not wanting to be here. Or Irving’s being available for less than half of the games. But the real reason for the Nets’ free fall out of first place is the absence of Kevin Durant. They are 4-13 since Durant sprained his left MCL on Jan. 15, and that stretch includes their 11-game losing streak. The Nets have not said the exact day they expect Durant to return, but it is thought to be soon.

2 Irving becomes a full-time player

No, he does not plan to get vaccinated. But it’s looking more and more possible that the local laws that prohibit Irving from playing at Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden could be modified. New York Mayor Eric Adams recently said the rule that prohibits Irving from playing here but allows unvaccinated players from visiting teams to do so is unfair. Commissioner Adam Silver agrees and Nash has said he is hopeful that something will change as COVID-19 numbers have started falling.

3 Simmons flourishes in new environment

Can Simmons forget his poor performance for Philadelphia against Atlanta in last season’s playoffs and everything that has happened since?

Simmons has yet to play a game this season, but he has said he wants to be on the floor when the Nets play in Philadelphia on March 10. He does so many things well — although shooting is not one of them — that he has the ability to make a major impact.

4 Knock down some threes

The Nets have really missed the shooting of Joe Harris, who led the league in three-point shooting percentage last season. There still appears to be no sure date for Harris’ return from ankle surgery, which is why the addition of Seth Curry, who was acquired in the Simmons trade, is a key.

When Durant, Simmons and Irving are all on the floor with him and giving him space, Curry’s three-point shooting is going to be a powerful weapon.

5 Improve defense and rebounding

The Nets have allowed an average of 110.8 points per game this season, the most of any team currently in the top eight playoff spots. The addition of Simmons and Andre Drummond should be a big help here. Drummond gives the Nets a much-needed big body at center, and his best skill, defensive rebounding, is one of the team’s biggest needs.

By Barbara Barker

barbara.barker@newsday.commeanbarb

Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.