Brooklyn Nets Projected Starting Lineup for 2019-20 After Signing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving
By Scott Rogust
It wasn't the New York Knicks, but the Brooklyn Nets who made the biggest splash on Day 1 of the NBA free agency frenzy.
The team successfully nabbed Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, locking them into huge four-year contracts. Not only that, but the Nets landed their buddy DeAndre Jordan.
With Durant already ruled out for the majority (if not all) of next season due to a ruptured Achilles, what will the 2019-20 Brooklyn Nets starting lineup look like? We've got you covered.
1. PG: Kyrie Irving
Despite a bounce-back season for D'Angelo Russell, the Nets decided to move on and pounce at the opportunity to add Irving to be their starting point guard. Averaging 23.2 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game with the Boston Celtics this past season, Irving will take on a larger role with Durant out.
2. SG: Joe Harris
The reigning 3-Point Contest Champion can be slotted in as the starting shooting guard. Joe Harris is coming off a career year with the Nets, as he logged an average of 13.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
3. SF: Taurean Prince
The Nets acquired Taurean Prince and extra cap space this offseason by sending Allen Crabbe, along with 2019 and 2020 first-round picks to the Atlanta Hawks. Prince was considered a steal in the deal, and now with Durant out for the next year, he'll start at small forward for Brooklyn.
4. PF: Rodions Kurucs
Rodions Kurucs will maintain his spot as the starting power forward for the Nets. Last season, Kurucs recorded an average of 8.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 20.5 minutes. Brooklyn's 2019 second-round pick Nicolas Claxton could see significant minutes at some point next season, but for now, Kurucs is the guy at power forward.
5. C: DeAndre Jordan
Jordan is going to play a pivotal role alongside his pals in Durant and Irving the next four years. After splitting time with the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks, Jordan tallied 11 points and 13 rebounds per game. With Durant on the sidelines, expect Irving to throw some lobs DeAndre 3000's way.