OKC Thunder vs. Brooklyn Nets, 2019-20 team preview

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OKC Thunder Team Previews: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during Media Day (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

For the past few years, the Nets sat in purgatory watching as the Celtics used their draft picks to bolster the depth of their club with young talented draft prospects.

Finally, in the clear of that draft debt, Brooklyn entered the offseason with the shackles off and ready to be a player in the free agent market. In one fell swoop, the Nets switched their narrative from a team fighting to contend to arguably the deepest title contender in the Eastern Conference.

When the dust settled from the early pandemonium of the moratorium Brooklyn walked away with arguably the league’s best player (Kevin Durant) and his BFF, and top 15 talent (Kyrie Irving). Further signings and trades occurred to add former All-Star center DeAndre Jordan, 3 and D specialist Taurean Prince, and other gritty support pieces.

Quite a haul for a club most expected to spend the season tanking. That the Nets were fresh off a sixth seed playoff trip and did what the Knicks were expected to only adds to their ability to surprise all who underestimated them.

Players Added:

Free Agency:

G: Kyrie Irving
G: David Nwaba
G/F: Garrett Temple
F: Deng Adel
F: Wilson Chandler
C: DeAndre Jordan
F: Henry Ellenson (two-way contract)**

Trade:

F: Kevin Durant (trade with Warriors)
F: Taurean Prince (trade with Hawks)

Rookies:

C: Nicolas Claxton (No. 31)
G: Jaylen Hands (No. 56, via trade from Clippers)

Departing Players:

Free Agents:

F: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (signed with Raptors)
C: Ed Davis (signed with Jazz)
F: Jared Dudley (signed with Lakers)

Trade:

G: Shabazz Napier (traded to Warriors)
G: D’Angelo Russell (traded to Warriors)
F/G: Allen Crabbe (traded to Hawks)
F: DeMarre Carroll (traded to Spurs)
F: Treveon Graham (traded to Warriors)

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