National Basketball Association

Brooklyn Nets Positional Outlook: Small Forward

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:03 p.m. ET

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Mar 28, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) dunks the ball against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets didn’t change their small forward position much in the offseason, but new and old players alike will have a chance to compete for playing time.

Last season, the Brooklyn Nets’ small forward position ranked 26th in difference efficiency, according to hoopsstats.com. Surely, that is a number that they are trying to improve this coming season.

The only change the team made at the position was parting ways with Joe Johnson, which happened in February of last season. Johnson appeared and started in 57 games with the Nets last year, averaging 11.8 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game on 33.9 minutes of play. Those numbers are now up for grabs from the players that are stepping into the position this season.

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Other than that, many of the same players are returning, all vying for playing time at the three. This position is one of the hardest to analyze for the Nets, as Chase Budinger is the only player on their roster listed as solely a small forward. With that being said, head coach Kenny Atkinson will likely make decisions about who plays the position as the season goes on.

Until then, let’s take a deeper look at some of the candidates to play the small forward spot for the Nets.

Apr 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) shoots the ball over Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) in the third quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 121-103. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Starter: RHJ or Bojan?

It’s without question that the Nets’ starting small forward will either be Bojan Bogdanovic or Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Both players have presumably secured spots in the starting lineup, but one will play small forward and one will play shooting guard. As the season progresses, head coach Kenny Atkinson will eventually get a feel for who plays better at which position.

Until then though, both Hollis-Jefferson and Bogdanovic are strong options at the position for the Nets.

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Hollis-Jefferson is entering his sophomore campaign in the NBA. The 21-year-old swingman can be a threat at both shooting guard and small forward. He is coming off his rookie season, in which he averaged 5.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 21 minutes per game. However, he only appeared in 29 games due to a right ankle injury that required surgery. Despite the fact that Hollis-Jefferson hasn’t had much game action, the Nets are prepared to give him a large role. Hopefully, he can have a breakout campaign, and potentially even become a reliable starter for years to come.

Bogdanovic, on the other hand, has had flashes of greatness in both the NBA and the Olympics, and is poised for a breakout this season. Last season (Bogdanovic’s second in the NBA), he improved in points, assists, and rebounds per game, as well as free throw percentage. His increase in production in two years has Nets fans excited about what he can do this year, whether it be at shooting guard or small forward. To further justify his ability to play, he thrived at the Olympics this year as the leading scorer of the tournament.

Either of these players could end up being the full-time small forward this season. The other could still see significant time at the position as well.

Feb 13, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Caris LeVert (23) moves the ball defended by Purdue Boilermakers guard Rapheal Davis (35) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Backup: Caris LeVert

Similar to the starting situation, the backup could be another guard – rookie Caris LeVert. Standing at 6-foot-7, LeVert’s height and ability to rebound can make him a threat as a small forward in addition to a guard.

LeVert was drafted 20th overall in this year’s draft by the Indiana Pacers. However, soon afterward, the Nets claimed the rights to him after trading Thaddeus Young for him.

In LeVert’s senior year at Michigan, he averaged 15.7 points, 4.9 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game on 30 minutes. LeVert can clearly produce, but the concern with him is injuries. He only played in 33 games during his final two years. This was as a result of three surgeries he had on his left foot during those two years.

If healthy, LeVert could produce at multiple positions for the Nets. His prime position for the Nets may be shooting guard, but if need-be, look for LeVert to be on call to play the small forward position at some point.

Feb 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Chase Budinger (10) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

New Signing: Chase Budinger

Another candidate for some time at small forward is Chase Budinger. Currently, Budinger is the only player on the Nets roster listed as purely a small forward. Brooklyn signed Budinger this past week, and some speculate that he could be a steal.

Budinger has had a mediocre career, averaging 7.9 points and three rebounds per game over the course of his career with four different teams. He hasn’t averaged more than seven points per game and 2.5 rebounds per game in his past two seasons, but he also hasn’t played more than 15 minutes per game in those seasons.

However, Budinger’s game also comes with veteran leadership and athleticism. He was a talented volleyball player in high school and was selected for the NBA Dunk Contest in 2012.

Being a small forward, Budinger figures to get a chance at minutes at the three at the very least. He’s never been a day-in, day-out starter and he likely never will be for the Nets. Despite that, he is someone who could potentially thrive in a small role. Don’t expect Budinger to have anything more than a small impact. However, he is definitely a player that you could see on the court at the small forward position at various points throughout the season.

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