Entering the 2022-23 NBA season, the Nets looked like serious contenders in the Eastern Conference and a team with decent odds to make the NBA Finals. Then nearly everything went sideways.
Head coach Steve Nash was fired within the season's first two weeks. Jacque Vaughn took over and righted the ship and had the Nets in the thick of the playoff race come February. But Kyrie Irving, who was suspended following an incident involving the promotion of an antisemitic film and a non-apology early in the season, was traded to the Dallas Mavericks after negotiations on a contract extension fell through. The Nets received Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and three picks.
Then Kevin Durant was dealt to the Phoenix Suns in a four-team deal that netted Brooklyn forwards Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, and six draft picks, including the Suns' 2023 first-round pick.
The fully remade Nets finished the year 45-37 with the sixth seed in the East before they were swept out of the playoffs by Philadelphia.
This sets up Nets GM Sean Marks to work with the No. 21 (via Phoenix) and No. 22 overall selections in the 2023 NBA Draft. Here is who the early projections see coming to Brooklyn in the draft.
No. 21: SF Jordan Hawkins (UConn)
Info: 21 years old, 6-foot-4, 186 pounds
It might be time to look for a Joe Harris replacement. Hawkins would fit the timeline of their core much better and could provide more upside off the dribble.
No. 22: G Leonard Miller (G League Ignite)
Info: 19 years old, 6-foot-9, 213 pounds
Though the Nets have plenty of wings, they don’t really have a forward with Miller’s skill set. And besides, some of Brooklyn’s wings could be on the move this offseason. Multiple reports have already said Cam Johnson is expected to return, but league sources say Brooklyn has received a number of calls for two veteran wings in Royce O'Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith. If the Nets move one or both of them, it would open up more playing time for a rookie like Miller.
