Brooklyn Nets market report for 2018-19 NBA season
Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert on Oct. 3, 2018. Credit: Steven Ryan
STOCK RISING: Heading into his third season, it appears wing Caris LeVert is on the verge of a breakout. He earned the starting job in preseason, can handle like a point guard, gets to the rim with ease and has the length to defend multiple positions.
STOCK FALLING: Power forward Kenneth Faried saw a dramatically reduced role with Denver last season before joining the Nets in a salary dump. His rebounding might be valuable, but his lack of an outside shot likely means limited playing time.
STOCK STEADY:Allen Crabbe has two years and $37 million left on his contract, and in the second half of last season, he showed the ability to become an elite three-point shooter. A more assertive and consistent Crabbe can be a regular go-to guy.
GOOD INVESTMENT: General manager Sean Marks upgraded the Nets’ bench with the free-agent signings of center Ed Davis, point guard Shabazz Napier and forward Treveon Graham. Davis provides vital rebounding and defense, Napier is an offensive sparkplug and the versatile Graham has an outside shot and a nose for the ball.
RISK/REWARD: Coming off an injury-interrupted debut season with the Nets, point guard D’Angelo Russell is in what amounts to a make-or-break season with a chance to prove himself not only as a top scorer but as a leader worthy of the max contract extension he seeks next summer.
Greg Logan has worked for Newsday since 1982 covering a wide array of sports and events, currently including the Brooklyn Nets beat.
