Brooklyn Nets center Jarrett Allen may only be 21 years old, but he figures to be an important young piece in the franchise's quest for a title.
Allen was selected by the Nets with the 22nd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. So far, the former Texas Longhorn has impressed at the professional level, averaging 10.9 points and 8.4 rebounds in 80 appearances for Brooklyn during the 2018-19 season.
In an interview with Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, Allen is cautiously optimistic for the upcoming season, especially with a bevy of new players on head coach Kenny Atkinson's roster.
“I think we’re ready. It’s a 70 percent new team, so I think everybody coming in is veterans, I think we’re ready,” Allen said.
The Nets were one of the winners of the offseason, signing All-Stars Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and DeAndre Jordan. Jordan figures to compete for the starting center role with Allen despite a noticeable dip in on-court performance for the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks the past season.
Those weren't the only offseason moves made by general manager Sean Marks. The Nets' front office also acquired Taurean Prince from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Allen Crabbe and a first-rounder (essentially salary relief prior to free agency starting two months ago). Moreover, Brooklyn added Wilson Chandler and guard Garrett Temple.
The Nets are poised to make noise in the wide-open Eastern Conference, especially with two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard leaving the Toronto Raptors.
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