National Basketball Association

Brooklyn Nets Positional Outlook: Point Guard

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:25 p.m. ET

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Nov 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeat the Charlotte Hornets 102-97. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets have overhauled the point guard position for the 2016-17 season. Here is a look at who is entrenched as the starter, and some options that Kenny Atkinson could turn to as backups.

The Brooklyn Nets have a new coach, which means they will run a new offense this year. As such, it’s not surprising that they have made drastic changes at the point guard position.

Sean Marks and company have completely overhauled the position. Former Brooklyn Nets point guard Jarrett Jack is now with the Atlanta Hawks, and Shane Larkin and Donald Sloan are off the roster as well.

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Despite Jack being jettisoned, the Nets still have the luxury of having an unquestioned starter at the position. There won’t be any surprises pertaining to who runs the Nets’ offense — at least with the starting unit.

However, there is plenty of intrigue with the second unit.

The Nets have an abundance of options at backup point guard, and there are multiple factors in play. The most notable, predictably, is health. If all of the Nets’ potential point guards are healthy, Kenny Atkinson should have a relatively set depth chart. But if there are injuries to deal with, the Nets have options which they can call upon.

Now without further ado, here is a look at the point guard depth on the Brooklyn Nets’ roster.

Apr 17, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) drives to the basket as Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) defends during the first half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Point Guard: Jeremy Lin

There is no question who Brooklyn’s starting point guard will be. That job belongs to Jeremy Lin. Provided he is healthy, of course.

When Lin entertained the idea of leaving the Charlotte Hornets in free agency, he did so with an important goal in mind: Lin wanted to be a starter.

After serving in a sixth-man type role in Charlotte, Lin wanted the opportunity to start. And he found his match in the Brooklyn Nets. Lin signed a three-year deal, worth $36 million to join the Nets.

The Nets will rely on Lin in a multitude of ways. Lin will run the offense, distribute the ball, and, ideally, hold his own on defense as well.

Lin will be watched closely as he returns to the New York area. It was with the New York Knicks that Lin made a name for himself, although the Knicks reportedly did not want to sign Lin this offseason.

Brooklyn was elated to sign Lin, who is an unquestioned starter, and will be looked at as a leader, as well.

Most nights, the Nets will trot Lin out as the starter. Beyond Lin, though, Brooklyn has a few options. With that said, here are a few players who could see time as a backup point guard.

Nov 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Greivis Vasquez (21) with the ball against Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 103-102. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Backups: Greivis Vasquez

In a perfect world for the Nets, Greivis Vasquez was signed to be the primary backup to Jeremy Lin.

However, Vasquez is currently injured, as he is working his way back from an ankle injury. At this point, it’s unclear how much time Vasquez will miss, but it doesn’t seem likely that he is ready to go just yet.

Vasquez was injured when Brooklyn signed him, so the Nets knew what they were getting themselves into. The rationale for the Nets is they have a few other options as contingency plans behind Vasquez, and once he is healthy, he should see time to relieve Lin.

Vasquez has bounced around during his six years in the NBA. The 29-year-old guard has played for the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks. Vasquez has the potential to stick with the Nets and serve a prominent backup role, but first he must get healthy.

The Venezuelan player is one of a few veterans guards the Nets have, but he is perhaps the most equipped of the bunch to serve as the backup point guard.

Beyond Vasquez, the Nets may turn to a young guard to run the point from time to time.

Mar 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Seton Hall Pirates guard Isaiah Whitehead (15) celebrates against the Villanova Wildcats in the second half of the championship game of the Big East conference tournament at Madison Square Garden. Seton Hall won, 69-67. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The Backups: Isaiah Whitehead

With the 42nd pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Brooklyn Nets selected guard Isaiah Whitehead from Seton Hall. The Nets had to move up in the draft to ensure that they would land Whitehead, and Brooklyn paid a steep price to do so.

Whitehead is intriguing because he can play both guard spots. However, because he possesses a quality passing ability, Brooklyn could certainly use Whitehead as a point guard.

The biggest question in regards to Whitehead will be his NBA readiness. There has been some talk that perhaps Whitehead will see time in the NBA D-League, with Brooklyn’s affiliate, the Long Island Nets.

Brooklyn has yet to determine where Whitehead will begin his career, so he will get a shot to show what he can do during training camp. If the Nets’ staff feels he is ready, he will crack the roster. That’s the first hurdle Whitehead must clear. But if he makes the roster, the Nets could use him at both guard spots.

Whitehead is also of interest because he is from Brooklyn. It would be quite a story for the 21-year-old guard from Brooklyn to crack the Nets’ opening day roster. Even if Whitehead does have an initial stint in the D-League, he figures to be in the Nets’ plans at some point this season.

Nov 25, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Caris LeVert (23) drives the ball during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats at Barclays Center. Villanova Wildcats won 60-55. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Other Options: Caris LeVert and Randy Foye

Brooklyn selected Caris LeVert, a guard out of the University of Michigan, through a trade with the Indiana Pacers.

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LeVert saw his collegiate career get cut short by a foot injury, which he is currently rehabbing from. When he is healthy, LeVert has the ability to play both guard spots, but he and the Nets need his foot to heal.

If LeVert recovers fully and is able to stay healthy going forward, Brooklyn may end up with the steal of the NBA draft. LeVert is a guard who can score in multiple different ways, and his height — 6-foot-7 — makes him an interesting prospect at point guard.

However, Brooklyn may give LeVert more time at shooting guard, which is why both he and Randy Foye are listed under “other options.” LeVert could see plenty of time at shooting guard, but in a pinch he could absolutely take over at point guard if necessary.

Foye is in a similar boat. He began his career as a point guard, but has largely been a shooting guard since 2010-11. Foye is likely an option as a backup shooting guard, who can come in and immediately bring a veteran presence to the floor.

Like LeVert, though, if the Nets needed Foye to run the offense, he has enough experience that he could do so. Foye is best served as a shooting guard, and that’s the spot where he will see most, if not all, of his time. But for the Nets, it’s nice knowing they have another veteran who can run the point if absolutely necessary.

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