With the NBA news that Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets are going to continue their partnership together coming down earlier this week, focus can shift back to the court. For the front office, there is still some work to do when it comes to filling out the roster.
Brooklyn has a few roster spots open that they will look to fill in the coming weeks heading into training camp. They were likely being held open in anticipation of a Durant trade as multiple players would have likely been coming back to the team. With those trade talks now over, they can look to add some veterans to the mix.
The Nets have a very strong roster as they have already made some upgrades to the wing position. Royce O’Neale was acquired from the Utah Jazz right after the Durant trade request was made and they also signed T.J. Warren in free agency away from the Indiana Pacers.
Ben Simmons is essentially a new addition as well after not suiting up last season as he worked on improving his mental health and recovering from a back injury. His versatility will be a nice addition to the lineup as he can fill numerous roles with the team.
The center position is likely one that general manager Sean Marks will target, as Nicolas Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe are the only two they currently have. However, if Durant has his way, the team will bring in Carmelo Anthony.
“Nic Claxton — whose starts have gone from zero to one to 19 in his three years in the league — has proclaimed himself ready to seize the center spot. But with Day’Ron Sharpe the only other 5 on the roster, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them look for a backup/competition for Claxton. And if they wanted to appease Durant, they could bring in Carmelo Anthony, a move he’s wanted them to make.”
Will the front office concede to what Durant wants in this situation, showing some good faith after a few tumultuous weeks between the two sides? It could be tough for Anthony to find consistent minutes with five players already lined up for minutes in the frontcourt and Simmons a potential sixth option.
While the Brooklyn Nets would present him an excellent chance to compete for a championship ring, if Carmelo Anthony is still hoping to have a role in a team’s rotation, he could elect to look elsewhere in free agency.
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