The Brooklyn Nets are heading into the 2024/25 NBA season with plenty of question marks hanging over the team.
Last season was a transitional year for the Nets after they traded Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. A 32-50 record resulted in them missing out on the play-offs.
The Nets have revamped their roster and hired a new head coach for this season, but there are still plenty of question marks hanging over them.
Simmons is in the Last Chance Saloon
Ben Simmons is generally one of the biggest talking points for the Nets every season, and this one is no different.
The Australian star has been touted as one of the best players in the NBA but he has repeatedly failed to live up to expectations.
Injuries have played a huge role in his massively underwhelming career and there are justifiable doubts surrounding his ability to rediscover his best form.
If Simmons can stay fit, he could easily be a driving force for the team. His contract runs out at the end of the season, and he is in the last chance saloon with the Nets.
The bookmakers do not believe Simmons will turn things around with the Nets, offering odds of 1000/1 on them to win the NBA title.
However, his sizeable fanbase in Australia may be willing to take a punt on a player who still has time to become a big-hitter in the NBA.
Bettors may use the best betting promotions in Australia to wager on the Nets as this would allow them to back their compatriot without impacting their bankroll.
Odds of 28/1 for the Nets to qualify for the play-offs could tempt Aussie punters who are searching for a value bet in the NBA this season.Â
The Nets are Focusing on Young Talent
The Nets have gradually overhauled their roster over the past two years, shifting from established players to young talents who now form the core of the team.
Cam Thomas, Nic Claxton and Cameron Johnson are among those who are seen as the future of the Nets, and they could make huge strides in their careers this season.
Thomas has already emerged as a player to watch. He is a scoring machine, and his ability to get buckets from all over the court will be crucial in helping him fill up his stats sheet.
He has holes in his game that need to be plugged to take his development to the next step, but he could easily become an all-round star and a key piece for the Nets moving forward.Â
Claxton is another player with plenty of potential. He has shown glimpses of his talent and is on his way to becoming a top defender. He is an athletic, towering centre and a solid rim-protector who can also guard multiple positions.
Johnson is a versatile sharpshooter that any team would love to get their hands on. All three players will be key to the Nets’ ambitions this season.
Jordi Fernandez Could Spark a Revival in Brooklyn
After a massively underwhelming campaign under the leadership of Jacque Vaughn, the Nets have brought in Jordi Fernandez as their new head coach to try and steer them to the play-offs.
The former Sacramento Kings assistant coach spent a part of his summer in charge of Team Canada at the 2024 Paris Olympics but could only get them to the quarter-finals.
Fernandez has a history of developing players, which aligns with the Nets’ vision of building a young team, but he faces a huge task given the current state of play.
The Spanish coach helped turn a struggling Kings side into play-off contenders, so he knows a thing or two about developing a winning culture.
Appointing him is undeniably a massive gamble by the Nets, considering he is unproven and untested as an NBA head coach.
However, Fernandez was rated as one of the best assistants in the league, and he will be hoping that he is the man to spark a revival in Brooklyn.
