National Basketball Association

Brooklyn Nets: Should Sean Kilpatrick Start Over Bojan Bogdanovic?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:10 p.m. ET

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Oct 31, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) fouls Brooklyn Nets guard Sean Kilpatrick (6) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. The Bulls won 118-88. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Kilpatrick, a late season pickup for the Brooklyn Nets in 2015-16, is truly coming into his own this Fall. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard is currently averaging 16.6 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game off the bench for Brooklyn.

Sean Kilpatrick has yet to start in any of Brooklyn Nets’ five matchups this season. However, he is still averaging nearly as many minutes per game as starting shooting guard, Bojan Bogdanovic. Kilpatrick is playing 25 minutes per night on average as opposed to Bogdanovic’s 27.

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After a successful college career at Cincinnati and several stints in the D-League, Kilpatrick signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2013. He never truly received an opportunity to play in Minnesota and was cut as a result. Kilpatrick then joined the Denver Nuggets for only 26 games, before being released for the second time in two seasons.

With his chances of succeeding in the league dwindling, Sean Marks gave Kilpatrick another shot at stardom. He immediately thrived in a bigger role, averaging 13.8 points per game in 23 minutes per contest to close out the 2015-16 season.

In only five games this season, “Skillpatrick,” as Ian Eagle calls him, is proving that he belongs in the NBA. With career-high averages across the board, Kilpatrick is bursting onto the scene and has been an invaluable part of Brooklyn’s two victories.

Kilpatrick may get an opportunity to start sooner rather than later, but in a different position. With Jeremy Lin’s recent hamstring injury and Greivis Vasquez’s subpar play, Kilpatrick may be a consideration to start at the one in the near future.

However, this wouldn’t be a wise decision on Kenny Atkinson’s part, as Kilpatrick isn’t reliable enough to be the primary ball handler of an offense. Kilpatrick is a shoot-first wing who has consistently played shooting guard. Atkinson’s motion offense would come to a complete standstill if Kilpatrick gets the starting nod during Lin’s absence.

If Kilpatrick starts on this team, it wold be at the shooting guard position over Bogdanovic. With Kilpatrick arguably playing better than Bogdanovic so far, a question then arises: should Sean Kilpatrick be starting at shooting guard?

Apr 8, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Sean Kilpatrick (6) tries to shoot the ball against Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller (40) in the second half at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Nets 113-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Why Kilpatrick Should Start

Kilpatrick has shown consistent improvement as his coaches provide him with more minutes. He has never failed to seize an opportunity to take on a bigger role. Even when he was getting 10.6 minutes per game in Denver, he was averaging 16.5 points per 100 possessions. This “born ready” attitude no doubt stems from Kilpatrick being undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Another rationale to put Kilpatrick in the starting lineup could be to assess how other Nets do in different roles and lineup combinations.

Having Bogdanovic come off the bench would be an intriguing experiment. Having him essentially be the sixth man would allow him to catch fire against second-string wing defenders, perhaps even more so than Kilpatrick has thus far. Bogdanovic coming off the bench would especially be an asset if the Nets fall behind early and are in desperate need of instant offense off the bench.

Yet, even if Kilpatrick does start, his leash would be very short. Atkinson may experiment with starting him in meaningless games towards the end of the season, but a sharp decline in offensive efficiency and true shooting percentage should signal a return to the bench.

Nov 2, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Aron Baynes (12) defends Brooklyn Nets guard Sean Kilpatrick (6) at the net during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Why Kilpatrick Shouldn’t Start

There is a clear risk taken with starting Kilpatrick at the shooting guard position.

The most obvious answer to why he should come off the bench is simply that; Kilpatrick has never started an NBA game in his three-year career. While he has been dominating backup wings on offense, going up against starting wings with fresh legs will be a completely different situation. He will be matching up against the likes of Avery Bradley, Tony Allen, and Kent Bazemore on a nightly basis. Kilpatrick’s efficiency would no doubt go down if he is put in the starting unit.

Coach Atkinson could take an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach when it comes to Kilpatrick’s situation. Kilpatrick’s outstanding numbers and efficient play to this point demonstrate that perhaps he is ultimately best suited to abuse backup wings in the long term. It is also fairly safe to say that through five games, Brooklyn as a team has far exceeded everyone’s expectations. As long as the Nets are receiving praise and Kilpatrick maintains this level of play, then it is logical for Atkinson to keep the rotation how it is currently constructed.

In addition, there is a certain expectation of consistency shooting the ball for modern-day NBA starting shooting guards. While Kilpatrick has been hot from behind the arc (45.5 percent this season), he shot at a dismal rate (around 30 percent) over his previous stints in the NBA. There is a much bigger margin for error when coming off the bench as opposed to starting. Kilpatrick and the Nets’ coaching staff would likely feel much more confident with the 6-foot-4 guard maintaining his current role.

Mar 19, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Sean Kilpatrick (6) drives to the basket during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The Verdict

As long as Kilpatrick continues dominating as the Nets’ sixth man, there is no reason why his role should be changed. 16.6 points per game along with 45 percent shooting from behind the arc are numbers that are Sixth Man of the Year worthy.

The Nets are simply not in need of a different starting shooting guard at this point. Bogdanovic’s performance thus far, 15.4 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game, is more than suffice for that role. Bogdanovic has also had much more experience (a full season) in a starting role, going up against first stringers. It would not be wise to switch these players, who are both playing exceptionally in their particular roles, for an unknown product.