The Brooklyn Nets were arguably the biggest surprise of the 2018-19 NBA season. After winning just 28 games in the year prior, the Nets won 42 games and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

With strong guard play from the likes of D'Angelo Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie, good perimeter shooting and an anchor in the middle in Jarrett Allen, the Nets developed well ahead of schedule.

Of course, things have changed quite a bit since free agency opened this summer. Brooklyn landed both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant while sending Russell to the Golden State Warriors as part of a sign-and-trade deal for KD.

The stars have changed, but Dinwiddie told Brian Lewis of the New York Post that he expects the Nets to improve this season:

“We’re definitely going to improve. We added talent across the board. But it all depends on chemistry and cohesiveness. That’s always the trouble, that’s always the elephant in the room, right?” Dinwiddie said. “Last year we were able to come together, even with injuries and in some cases kind of galvanizing the group in a sense.

Durant will likely miss the entire 2019-20 season as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon, but the Nets are betting on Irving as a significant upgrade over Russell at the point guard position.

Dinwiddie's importance to this Brooklyn team cannot be understated too. He has improved in every season, averaging a career-high 16.8 points per game last season and giving the Nets a vital scoring presence off the bench. He can play a combo guard role while also providing good distribution.

The 26-year-old played an active role in recruiting both Irving and Durant, and Dinwiddie will have the opportunity to prove what his words have been worth as the Nets look to make the leap towards the top of the Eastern Conference standings.