The injury bug bit the Brooklyn Nets before the season even starts. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson suffered a left adductor strain while playing in a charity game with Jeremy Lin in China.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has been diagnosed with a left adductor strain after sustaining the injury while playing in an exhibition game in China. Hollis-Jefferson will begin rehabilitation immediately.
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) August 9, 2018
This is certainly a big blow to the Nets. If healthy, Hollis-Jefferson is projected to start at power forward. Although the Nets added depth in the frontcourt this offseason, they certainly don't want to see Hollis-Jefferson out of the lineup. It's unclear how long this strain will keep him off the court.
On the bright side, the Nets aforementioned depth in the frontcourt should prevent this from being a total disaster. Sean Marks added Ed Davis, Jared Dudley, and Kenneth Faried this offseason. Even DeMarre Carroll can play some power forward on that roster.
So while they won't be completely vulnerable without Hollis-Jefferson, they'll surely miss the production from the 6-foot-7 big man.
When he returns, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will need to improve his shooting if he wants to really take the next step. He shoots below 25 percent from three for his career and as an undersized big, he needs to add a reliable outside shot to round out his game. Without it, he's just an undersized forward who doesn't rebound well enough to survive at the power forward position.
Brooklyn is the perfect place for Hollis-Jefferson to round out his game. The Nets are an up-and-coming team looking for the right guys to build around. He'll have another opportunity to prove himself when he returns from this setback.
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