Nets best option at Small Forward might not be who you think

With Rodions Kurucs likely suspension, the Nets have a need to fill at small forward.

The Brooklyn Nets were dealt an unexpected blow last week when it was reported that small forward Wilson Chandler will be suspended 25 games after testing positive for PEDs..

Chandler signed a one year, $2.5 million contract with the Nets earlier in the offseason. Chandler averaged six points-per-game in 51 games of work overall between stints with both the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers.

Chandler was expected to be a supporting piece for the Nets this season, and it is always disappointing when a team loses a veteran presence for a portion of the season.

It is not yet clear whether the Nets will decide to part ways Chandler, or if they will decide to wait out the 25-game suspension Chandler is mandated to serve to begin the 2019-2020 NBA season.

With just under two months until tip-off the market for a Small Forward is not as strong as it would have been back in July, but the Nets still have some viable options that could sign to replace Chandler.

Three options for the Nets to replace Chandler at Small Forward are:

Carmelo Anthony- It goes without saying Anthony, a surefire Hall of Famer, is the most accomplished name still on the NBA free agent market. Anthony is a native of Brooklyn, and this could serve as a coming home of sorts for the one-time scoring champion. It would make for a much better story though, than it would a basketball move. Anthony is a washed-up veteran that seems to be hanging on the last remnants of his superstar persona. The old age: “Father time is undefeated,” certainly applies to Anthony.

If the Nets decide to sign Anthony, he will bring the isolation style of basketball that has been the hallmark of his NBA career, but the only difference is Anthony is not the player in which he once was. The only circumstance that would lead to Anthony suiting up for the Nets is if Melo is able to adopt a more team-centric approach. Since that has never happened in his career, the Nets should pass on Anthony. He will not be a good fit to the unselfish culture head coach Kenny Atkinson has helped to cultivate during his first three years in Brooklyn.

Joe Johnson: Johnson is back on the radar of NBA fans everywhere following a MVP winning stint in the BIG3. The next logical step for Johnson would be to suit up for the Nets next year and provide them with a wealth of experience, in addition some good basketball still left in the tank, as was on display in the BIG3. Even though the competition in the BIG 3 was nowhere as stiff as the competition Johnson would face if he were to return to the league, he is still capable of being a contributor on a team with lofty expectations entering the season.

Johnson is a borderline Hall of Famer averaging 16 points-per-game in his NBA career. Johnson did not play in the NBA last season, but averaged a respectable 6.8 ppg in 55 games during the 2017-2018 season playing for both the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets. While Johnson does not have as flashy of a resume as Anthony, he will be a much better fit for the team and much more willing to accept a secondary role on the Nets.

Iman Shumpert: It is not out of the realm of possibility the Nets will bring in former Knick Iman Shumpert to take the place of the suspended Chandler. The injury history of Shumpert will make this a risky signing for the Nets, but if it pays off the reward will be great. Shumpert averaged 7.5 ppg last season in 62 games for the Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets. Shumpert, 29, is easily the youngest player on this list which should lead to the greatest upside of the three.

Shumpert has proven in his NBA career thus far that he is an above-average defender that is also capable of giving his team an offensive spark. Also, Shumpert will not be expected to play as big of a role as his did for the Cleveland Cavaliers during their three consecutive trips to the NBA Finals from 2015-2017. All Atkinson will need from Shumpert is a proven defensive entity that can give a boost to the Nets second unit.

My pick: Iman Shumpert

Shumpert is the least known player on the list, but he will be the best fit for the Brooklyn Nets entering the 2019-2020 NBA season. He is the youngest player on the Nets which means he can be with the Nets for a couple of seasons. Johnson, 38, and Anthony, 35, will only be stop gap measures for the Nets. Also, looking ahead to the impending return of Kevin Durant, Shumpert will be the player best positioned to mesh with the tandem of Durant and Kyrie Irving. Shumpert played with LeBron James, and Irving, when he was the Cavaliers so he knows what it takes to play with NBA superstars.

It is for all of these reasons the Nets should counter the suspension of Chandler by signing Shumpert; thus, setting up a return to the “Big Apple” for Shumpert.