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NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s best case scenario

By John Hugar

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 11: Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson talks to D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets deserve serious credit for how they’ve gradually built their franchise back up after the disastrous Pierce-KG trade. They’ve drafted intelligently, looking for high-floor players, and have been willing to take risks on underwhelming lottery picks like D’Angelo Russell and Jahlil Okafor. The Nets are no longer a joke, but now, they face the question of whether they can truly become relevant again.

How far they get this year will have a lot to do with Russell. He played well early in the year, but after getting injured, was outshone by Spencer Dinwiddie, who at times, looked like the better player. This fourth season will be a big test for both players. That said, the biggest factor here is second-year center Jarrett Allen, who firmly grabbed the starting job, and will look to break out with more minutes this season. Allen is an efficient scorer, and a dominant defender. The Nets have been looking for a franchise corner stone outside of the lottery, and they may have found one.

Would I bet on a playoff berth here? Probably not, but for the first time in three years, the idea doesn’t seem out of the question. If Russell performs consistently, and Allen makes the second-year leap the Nets are hoping he will, the Nets could easily hover around .500.