Brooklyn Nets look to improve defense
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
No one can dispute that the Nets’ defense failed them last season. With Nic Claxton a free agent and Dorian Finney-Smith possibly moving in a trade, where the Nets go next. The post-season awards season ha not be kind to the Brooklyn Nets. Mikal Bridges finished second in the teammate of the year. Cam Thomas finished seventh in most improved player balloting. Otherwise, the winnings were slim same as the season.
Maybe most disappointing was that a team whose defense was supported to be it strong suit failed to gain a single vote for the All-Defense team. As C.J. Holmes wrote for the Daily News.
Zero Brooklyn players received votes. That fact becomes even more disappointing when considering the team actually had solid defensive talent on the roster this season between guys like Nic Claxton, Mikal Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith and Dennis Smith Jr.
Not to mention Ben Simmons who was twice first team All-Defense but only played 15 games. In the end, a team who many saw as a defensive juggernaut finished 20th in defensive rating, although after Kevin Ollie replaced Jacque Vaughn it got a little better, jumping five places to No. 15.
Jordi Fernandez understands the problem as he noted in his press conference April 24. He lauded Claxton’s potential not just as a member of the All-Defense but Defensive Player of the Year..
“I love the challenge of him being Defensive Player of the Year,” Marks said. “Nic and I have talked in the off[season about similar accolades, Most Improved Player, Defensive Player, All-Defensive team, and so forth. I think he has the skill set and the mindset to be able to put himself in those positions if he continues to work and continues to develop.”
Claxton of course is an unrestricted free agent and on Tuesday, Mike Scotto reported that Oklahoma City is “monitoring” Claxton’s free agency. There was also reporting out of Forbes Sports that the Nets are likely to trade Dorian Finney-Smith and despite some punditry that suggests his value has dipped because of a sub-part season, Evan Sidery thinks otherwise...
Dorian Finney-Smith is a strong candidate to be traded from the Nets this offseason.Brooklyn shopped Finney-Smith at the deadline receiving robust interest from contenders.All of the following teams who reportedly checked in on Finney-Smith could circle back leading up to the… pic.twitter.com/jCjbGyghwM— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 27, 2024
One team reportedly not interested in Finney-Smith is his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, for whatever the reason. DFS will enter next season with a $14 million contract and 10 year’s NBA experience. That should make him a valuable asset for a contender, but it would also reduce Jordi Fernandez’s defensive potential.
Why Nets should view voting results for All-Defensive Teams as motivation - C.J. Holmes - New York Daily News
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