National Basketball Association

Brooklyn Nets: Offseason Sees Downgrade at Power Forward

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:14 p.m. ET

foxsports

Nov 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Thaddeus Young (30) is defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets have a completely different look this season. Their offseason saw improvements in most positions, but it was at the four that the Nets had a dip.

Nets fans should be relatively pleased with their team’s offseason. Brooklyn was able to add a strong mix of youth and veterans, including former New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin. The average age of the team is now 25.1, making the Nets the 10th youngest team in the NBA.

However, in their moves to get younger, the Nets shipped Thaddeus Young, one of their core contributors. In May 2016, Nets general manager Sean Marks even stated that he wants to hold onto Young and Brook Lopez. That turned out to not be the case, at least not with Young. Though Young has been in Brooklyn for less than two seasons, his contributions to the team put him in a special place in many Nets fans’ hearts, including mine.

This isn’t a hit on the Nets per-say, but Brooklyn just doesn’t have anyone who can immediately fill the shoes of Young. The problem will be resolved eventually, but don’t be surprised to see a significant drop in production at the four this season.

The Thaddeus Young Trade

Mar 13, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) guards Brooklyn Nets forward Thaddeus Young (30) in the first half at Barclays Center. Milwaukee defeats Brooklyn 109-100. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

Marks’ objective for the Nets was clearly to make the team younger. To do so, he let loose some under-producing veterans on the team. Joe Johnson was bought out by the Nets in February. Jarrett Jack was waived four months later.

The Nets also lack first-round draft picks, as they are still recovering from their blockbuster deal with the Boston Celtics in 2013. To regain some higher picks immediately, Marks traded up in the draft by acquiring the 42nd overall pick (who turned out to be Isaiah Whitehead) from the Utah Jazz in exchange for the 55th pick and cash. Marks also dealt Young to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for the draft rights to Caris LeVert. Consequently, in their ambition to build for the future, Brooklyn lost one of the best players on their roster.

More from Nothin' But Nets

Young spent one-and-a-half seasons in Brooklyn. With Young, the Nets finished the last 28 games of the 2014-15 season with 17 wins. Brooklyn was able to squeeze their way into the playoffs as the eighth seed. They gave the Atlanta Hawks a hard time in the first round, but failed to advance further into the postseason.

In his short stint with the Nets, Young averaged 14.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. Last season, he led Brooklyn in rebounds per game (nine) and was second in points per game (15.1). Losing Young instantly drops Brooklyn’s production in two categories, and the Nets don’t have anyone who can put up similar numbers (at least not yet).

This was not a bad trade for the Nets. Young was a good, quiet vet on the Nets, but it was the right move for them to trade him away. With their few tradable assets and bleak future, the Nets had no choice but to ship Young in an attempt to make the team younger. Brooklyn just has to sacrifice significant production at the four until they find someone who can fill Young’s shoes.

Who Do the Nets Have at Power Forward?

Apr 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Chris McCullough (1) dunks the ball against the Washington Wizards in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 121-103. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

To fill the void at power forward, Brooklyn added Luis Scola and Trevor Booker. Scola, at 36 years old, is way past his prime. Meanwhile, Booker is the same age as Young, but definitely cannot post numbers like Young’s. Nevertheless, either Scola or Booker will get the starting role this season.

The Nets also have Chris McCullough, who is entering his second season. McCullough missed a majority of his rookie year with an ACL injury he sustained while at Syracuse University. McCullough played just 24 games last season, averaging a tad above 15 minutes per game.

Luckily for the Nets, McCullough showed immense potential in Summer League. In the five Summer League games, he tallied 10.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. McCullough posted a double-double in one of those games with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The 21-year-old is primed for a breakout season.

Brooklyn will want McCullough starting at the four in the long-run, but he still has a lot to learn. Fortunately, Scola and Booker are the perfect players to lead McCullough in the right direction. Until then though, the Nets do not have someone who can take Young’s place.

This article originally appeared on