How will the Brooklyn Nets replace Kyrie Irving if he misses time after Tuesday's announcement that the star point guard will not practice or play until he's eligible for home games based on New York City's COVID-19 vaccination requirements?
Before Tuesday, Nets coach Steve Nash had to contemplate the possibility of coming up with two different rotations -- one for road games with Irving and another for the home games he would miss. Now, Brooklyn won't face that kind of game-to-game variability starting with next Tuesday's season opener in Milwaukee against the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks. However, the Nets must consider the prospect of no contributions from Irving, a seven-time All-Star who averaged 26.9 points per game and 6.0 assists per game in 2020-21.
Even before New York City announced a vaccination requirement for many indoor events, Brooklyn had added depth in the backcourt this offseason. Assuming Irving doesn't change his mind on vaccination and isn't traded to a team that doesn't face the same kind of restrictions, let's take a look at how Nash might build a rotation for the 2021-22 season that doesn't include Irving.
What preseason reveals about the Nets' plans
"I haven't made any decisions on starting lineups," Nash told reporters last week. "We're just working with the entirety of the group right now, trying to get reps, trying to figure it out. But we're not in a big rush for a starting lineup, to be honest. We'll figure that out when the time comes."
The fact that the Nets have used the same lineup both games that their other star players (Kevin Durant and James Harden) have played suggests Nash might be closer to a starting five than he indicated. Both times, Brooklyn paired Durant and Harden with Blake Griffin at center and Bruce Brown and Joe Harris on the wing.
That lineup, which Nash used in Games 5 and 7 of last year's second-round loss to the Bucks after Irving was lost to injury, includes the five active Nets players who started the most games for the team in 2020-21 and offers good balance. Griffin's ability to stretch the floor from the center position creates room for Brown, who made just 17 3-pointers last season, to play closer to the basket, where he's more effective.
Having Brown in the starting five is key at the other end of the court, as he's capable of matching up with the opposition's best perimeter player and taking that responsibility off the plate of Durant or Harris.
Why Mills is the key to Brooklyn's bench unit
Notably, Brooklyn's current starting lineup doesn't include Patty Mills, the team's marquee addition in free agency. The Nets offered Mills, who played with Nets GM Sean Marks for the Portland Trail Blazers early in his career, their $5.9 million taxpayer midlevel exception -- leaving only the veteran's minimum for Griffin and fellow multitime All-Stars LaMarcus Aldridge and Paul Millsap.
Given Mills' size and shooting ability (his 161 3-pointers last season was fourth most among players who primarily came off the bench), he's the closest match for Irving's game. However, with Durant and Harden in the starting lineup, Nash doesn't need to prioritize additional scoring punch. Instead, Mills will likely anchor a second unit that could feature Aldridge and Millsap in the frontcourt.
Over the two preseason games when Brooklyn has had most players available, Mills has paired in the backcourt with Jevon Carter, another newcomer who will likely defend point guards while playing off the ball on offense. A 40% 3-point shooter during two seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Carter offers the best blend of defense and shooting on the Nets' roster.
That probably doesn't leave room in the Brooklyn rotation for first-round pick Cam Thomas, a talented shooter and scorer whose ability to contribute elsewhere remains a work in progress. Thomas, who turns 20 on Wednesday, scored 21 points in 22 minutes during the Nets' preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. Since then, Thomas has played primarily in the fourth quarter of Brooklyn's last two preseason games alongside other rookies.
How Irving's absence could affect roster decisions
The Nets have up to two open spots on their final roster for the start of 2021-22. How -- and whether -- they fill those spots might be affected by Irving's unavailability.
Brooklyn will likely keep guard DeAndre' Bembry as a 15th player on a full NBA contract because he's guaranteed $750,000 of his $1.7 million cap hit. Bembry, who started 12 games and averaged 19.1 minutes per game for the Toronto Raptors last season, gives the Nets additional experienced depth on the perimeter. He's the best match for Brown's skills if Brooklyn loses Brown to injury at some point.
Additionally, the Nets have the ability to convert the training camp contract of one of four players to have him fill a second two-way roster spot. Realistically, that competition is between undrafted rookie David Duke Jr. and former Lakers forward Devontae Cacok, both of whom have been in Brooklyn's camp since day one. Irving's absence could give Duke a boost as another ballhandling option for the Nets.