A year ago, basically every analyst had the Nets destined for a horrific season.
And they ended up being right.
Brooklyn finished a league-worst 20-62, enabling the Boston Celtics to win May’s draft lottery since the pick was consideration from the Nets’ 2013 blockbuster deal for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
The Nets still owe one more first-rounder, but it will be the Cavaliers who will select on Brooklyn’s behalf in 2018 following their trade of superstar Kyrie Irving to Boston. That means this Nets’ season, which begins on Wednesday night in Indiana, will also have consequences far beyond Brooklyn.