The Submit’s Brian Lewis breaks down the Knicks’ high storylines heading into coaching camp.
Greatest battle
The Ben Simmons-Dennis Schroder level guard determination received’t be as a lot a battle as a matter of Simmons’ well being.
However Dorian Finney-Smith, Cam Johnson (when he’s not at small ahead) and Noah Clowney (when he’s not backing up Nic Claxton) may very doubtless butt heads for minutes at energy ahead, except and till one or each of the 2 veterans are dealt.
Story to look at develop
Simmons is the No. 1, 2 and three story in coaching camp.
The one All-Star on Brooklyn’s roster, he’s missed 189 of 246 video games over the previous three seasons.
And his absence has had a huge effect on the Nets’ won-loss mark.
Coming off his second discectomy up to now three years, his well being and availability are going to be an ongoing hot-button matter all through camp.
Coach’s hardest problem
Jordi Fernandez is a rookie coach taking up a nasty staff.
It’s all going to be a problem.
The Spaniard has to attempt to construct a profitable tradition in his locker room whereas his group is busy tanking.
That’s a dichotomy, and a tricky job that has already began however begins in earnest when camp does on Tuesday.
Most intriguing rookie
Brooklyn doesn’t have any.
The Nets are loaded with draft belongings going ahead, however they didn’t make a single choose in June’s draft.
Sure, two-ways Jaylen Martin and Yongxi Cui are technically NBA rookies on paper, however each have been execs for years — Martin with Extra time Elite and the Westchester Knicks, and Cui with the Guangzhou Loong Lions, even being the CBA’s Rookie of the Yr.
He can’t be a rookie twice, proper?
Most intriguing newcomer
Positive, Bojan Bogdanovic is probably the most completed, and Cui has geopolitical intrigue, however Ziaire Williams is a 2021 lottery choose who continues to be simply 22 and has appeared stable in summer season exercises.
His mixture of youth and upside makes him at the very least attention-grabbing on a rebuilding staff.
Most notable absence
Mikal Bridges’ departure throughout the East River to the Backyard — and the staggering 5 first-round picks and choose swap the Nets extracted from the archrival Knicks — are going to reshape this staff and decide their future.
However Bridges was Brooklyn’s greatest all-around participant, high perimeter defender and was their second-leading scorer. His 19.6 factors and 15.5 photographs shall be missed.
Greatest comeback
Simmons’ subsequent sport — if that’s the Oct. 8 preseason opener in opposition to the Clippers or at some later date — shall be his first stay motion since Feb. 26.
He acquired shut down with a nerve impingement — once more — and had surgical procedure in March. It’s been an extended highway again, however will he keep on the trail or get derailed once more?
Don’t be stunned if …
Bogdanovic, who continues to be simply engaged on the facet and never enjoying pickup but, is introduced alongside slowly.
He’s the one present Web apart from Thomas who has ever averaged 20 factors — in 2019-20 and once more in 2022-23.
However after having left foot and wrist surgical procedures in April, the 35-year-old continues to be not one hundred pc wholesome.
