Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving didn't take discounts from the max-level salaries they deserve for DeAndre Jordan to sit on the bench. Just because the Brooklyn Nets' new superstars facilitated Jordan signing with their team in free agency, though, doesn't mean he's entitled to a starting spot. In fact, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson seemed to indicate that the veteran center could spend most games backing up Jarrett Allen.
In a story by Michael Scotto of The Athletic, Atkinson suggested that Brooklyn will decide who starts at center depending on matchups, but also hinted that Allen will enter the season ahead of Jordan in the positional pecking order.
“As far as starting, not starting, Jarrett Allen said, ‘Hey, I want to be the starter,’ which I love,” he said. “It’s great. I think we embrace the competition. I think that’ll play out. I do think it helps us matchup-wise. If it’s Joel Embiid, maybe Jarrett gets two quick fouls or something (and) we do have a heck of a player to support him and potentially starting different guys, too. I think that’s possible. I think it’s a great tandem to have.”
Jordan signed a four-year, $40 million deal with Brooklyn in free agency, a clear overpay related to his third-wheel status in the acquisition of Durant and Irving. First Team All-NBA in 2016, he was a shell of that impact player with the Dallas Mavericks last season, hogging rebounds at the expense of his teammates and all too often failing to provide resistance at the rim.
Allen, meanwhile, took another step in 2018-19, establishing himself as one of the league's best rim-protectors. If he continues progressing as a shooter, it could be hard for Brooklyn to justify playing Jordan over him, leaving the 12-year veteran to play the role of “support” player Atkinson suggested.
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