Brooklyn Nets Suffer Another Setback, Player Leaves Orlando Bubble After Testing Positive for COVID

Brooklyn Nets are heading into the bubble with a depleted roster. No other team has had as many issues as the Nets. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant opted to take time off for injuries. This was only the beginning, as Nicholas Claxton, Wilson Chandler, DeAndre Jordan, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Taurean Prince have since been ruled out for the season. The Nets signed Michael Beasley to fill out the roster, but he has now tested positive for COVID and his roster status is up in the air.

Beasley was the second pick in the 2008 Draft and has had a journeyman’s career. He was unsigned all season before being signed by the Nets for the bubble. He last played in the NBA for the LA Lakers in the 2018-19 season.

Whether Beasley will return to the bubble is still unclear. Neither the Nets nor Beasley have addressed his situation, but The Nets are looking ahead by signing Lance Thomas to be a backup. 

Brooklyn Nets Bubble Expectations

The Nets are currently the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. They have a record of 30 wins and 34 losses and are just 0.5 games ahead of the full-strength Orlando Magic. The 9th seed Washington Wizards are 6 games behind the nets and have to be within 4 games to force a play-in series.

The Wizards are weak with the losses of Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans. However, their woes don’t come close to that of the Nets, who have lost a majority of their regular-season roster. They seem destined to be the first-round matchup of the Milwaukee Bucks. If they stick to the 7th seed, they will be facing either the Boston Celtics or the Toronto Raptors.

The Nets cannot be expected to perform well in the bubble but will be looking to make a statement. Younger stars like Caris LeVert and Joe Harris will be running the offense, which will boost their trade value. Jarrett Allen will be the sole defensive anchor for the Nets. This is a great opportunity for the Nets to build up their young talent and prepare them for the 2021 season. Or they trade them to get a third superstar next to Kyrie and KD.