Brooklyn Nets: Summer League Roster, Key Storylines

The Brooklyn Nets have been one of the most active teams of the 2012 offseason.

They've traded for Joe Johnson and his massive contract, re-signed Deron Williams to a five-year deal worth nearly $100 million, and they're rumored to be closing in on a blockbuster trade for Dwight Howard.

Even if the Nets land Howard, they'll still need quite a few players, who they can sign to minimum-level contracts, to fill out their depth chart. That's why the 2012 summer league is so important for the Nets, as it will be an important time for the Nets to evaluate the talent they have build depth in their second unit.

Ahead is a breakdown of the Nets' summer league roster and key storylines for the Nets as the summer league gets under way. 

Brooklyn Nets Summer League Schedule

Monday, July 9 at 11:00 AM: Brooklyn Nets (88) vs. Orlando Magic (92) 

Tuesday, July 10 at 5:00 PM: Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics

Wednesday, July 11 at 3:00 PM: Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Thursday, July 12 at 1:00 PM: Brooklyn Nets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Friday, July 13 at 2:00 PM: Brooklyn Nets vs. Indiana Pacers

Ashton Gibbs, G, Pittsburgh (Undrafted Free Agent)

Player Profile: 6'2'', 190 pounds

2011-'12 Per-Game Stats: 14.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.5 steals, 38.2 FG%, 34.5 3P%, 85.5 FT%

Player Breakdown: The main reason why Ashton Gibbs wasn't drafted in the 2012 NBA draft was because of his lack of efficiency on the offensive side of the ball. That is something Gibbs will certainly have to improve to make an NBA roster this season.

When Gibbs is playing efficiently he's an explosive offensive player, and that's what he'll be hoping to show during his summer league games with the Nets.

Gibbs won't be able to produce at an impressive and consistent-enough level to outplay fellow rookie Tyshawn Taylor, which means he won't be able to earn his first NBA contract this season.  

Prediction: Gibbs will be playing his first year of professional basketball overseas instead of the NBA. 

Taurean Green, PG, Tofas (Turkey)

Player Profile: 6'1'', 177 pounds

2011-'12 (Tofas) Per-Game Stats: 9.4 points, 3.9 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 30.0 FG%, 21.4 3P%, 80.8 FT%

Player Breakdown: Taurean Green already played two seasons in the NBA, and he was the definition of a bench warmer. He only played in 17 games in two seasons, averaging just 4.4 minutes per game.

Because of his lack of previous NBA production, it's going to be a difficult challenge for Green to make a Nets team that has plenty of other options regarding the free-agent contracts to sign to fill out their bench.

Although Green was a relatively productive player in Turkey last year, he will fail to shine during the summer league games for the Nets, which means Turkey will be his home next year too. 

Prediction: Green will be playing overseas during the 2012-'13 season.

Marshon Brooks, SG, Brooklyn Nets (1-Year Experience)

Player Profile: 6'5'', 200 pounds

2011-'12 Per-Game Stats: 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 42.8 FG%, 31.3 3P%, 76.4 FT%

Player Breakdown: Marshon Brooks turned into quite a productive player last season with the Nets, and he'll be even better next year with the increased talent around him—assuming he isn't a part of the rumored Dwight Howard trade.

There's a possibility Brooks will be on another team to start the 2012-13 season, but if he stays on the Nets, he'll certainly be the first or second player coming off the bench.

Brooks' main focus during the summer league will be to help the new players transition into the Nets' offense, and help the Nets' front office get a better picture of how those players could fit into their plan for the 2012-'13 season.

Prediction: Brooks will be coming off an NBA bench to start next season, it's just a question of who's bench. 

Stephen Dennis, G, NY Phantoms (Germany)

Player Profile: 6'6'', 190 pounds

2011-'12 Per-Game Stats: 8.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 45.1 FG%, 30.4 3P%, 73.1 FT%

Player Breakdown: Stephen Dennis spent the 2010-11 season in the NBA D-league and put up impressive production.

Unfortunately that didn't land him on an NBA roster the next season. Instead he found himself spending the 2011-'12 season in Germany, playing for the New Yorker Phantoms.

Dennis was a consistent player in Germany, but his lack of explosive offensive production held him back, and it's the same thing that will keep him from making his first NBA roster. 

Prediction: Dennis will be headed back to the New York Phantoms in Germany for the 2012-'13 season. 

Edwin Ubiles, G, Dakota Wizards (NBA D-League)

Player Profile: 6'6'', 204 pounds

2011-'12 Per-Game Stats: 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 50.3 FG%, 33.8 3P%, 75.3 FT%

Player Breakdown: Edwin Ubiles spent most of last season in the NBA D-league, and he certainly dominated at that level. He even helped the Wizards make a playoff appearance, with his impressive production.

The big question will be whether Ubiles will be able to carry that production into the NBA, and the Nets won't be able to figure that out in the summer league because he'll be going up against a bunch of rookies and D-league caliber players, instead of legitimate NBA talent.

Even though Ubiles put up impressive production last year, he's destined to spend another season in the NBA D-league, which is a great option for the Nets to have heading into the 2012-'13 season. 

Prediction: Ubiles will be playing his professional ball in the D-league, but the Nets will be keeping an eye on him throughout the season to see if they need to bring him up to the NBA at some point. 

Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas (2012 No. 41 Overall Pick)

Player Profile: 6'3'', 185 pounds

2011-'12 Per-Game Stats: 16.6 points, 4.8 assists, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 47.7 FG%, 38.2 3P%, 68.8 FT%

Player Breakdown: Tyshawn Taylor could end up being one of the steals of the 2012 NBA draft—that's how much potential exists in his game.

Taylor is an athletic combo guard who thrives with the ball in his hands, and with Jordan Farmar not returning next season, the Nets will certainly need his talents coming off the bench.

All Taylor has to do to earn his first NBA contract is play at a consistent level, even if it's not  explosively productive, because the Nets absolutely need him on their bench. Taylor's defensive prowess also makes him a lock to make the Nets roster for next season. 

Prediction: Taylor will be the Nets' backup point guard to start the 2012-'13 season. 

Bryant Dunston, F, Hapoeli Holon (Israel)

Player Profile: 6'8'', 233 pounds

2011-'12 Per-Game Stats: 14.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.8 blocks, 62.3 FG%, 66.3 FT%

Player Breakdown: Bryant Dunston has developed into quite a dominant player in Israel, putting up near double-doubles. That would certainly make him a Sixth Man of the Year candidate here in the NBA.

The only question is if that skill will translate against NBA-caliber talent. Dunston's extremely high field-goal percentage is enticing, but it's rooted in the smaller and lesser talent that he played against in Israel.

Dunston will have to prove that he's not a player who just excels when he's playing against lower-level talent. If he does that he'll make the Nets roster, but if he doesn't he'll have a solid landing spot back in Israel. 

Prediction: The Nets could possibly lose Dunston to playing overseas because the Nets won't be able to offer him the money he could make back in Israel. Because of that, Dunston will most likely be playing professional ball back in Israel. 

Adam Morrison, F, Besiktas (Turkey)

Player Profile: 6'10'', 198 pounds

2011-'12 Per-Game Stats: 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 47.7 FG%, 38.3 3P%, 84.4 FT%

Player Breakdown: The 2006 No. 3 overall draft pick, Adam Morrison, has had quite a wild ride in the NBA. He's a two-time NBA Champion, but he's really done nothing to earn that.

He'll be looking to prove that he's more than a bench warmer and a draft bust this year as he tries to make the Nets roster heading into next season.

Morrison will not only need to show that his time in Turkey helped him mature as a player, he'll also have to prove that he's more aggressive on the defensive side of the ball. If Morrison can prove that he can be a productive bench player, and not a liability on defense, he'll undoubtedly make the Nets roster.

Prediction: The 2012-'13 season will be a new beginning for Morrison, as he'll prove that he's capable of being a legitimate bench player in the NBA for the Nets. The main obstacle to that is the fact that the Nets will have to pay Morrison the three-year veteran minimum of near $850,000, which is much more than the price tag on players with less experience. 

Carleton Scott, F, Notre Dame (2010-'11)

Player Profile: 6'8'', 218 pounds

2010-'11 Per-Game Stats: 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.9 blocks, 45.5 FG%, 35.9 3P%, 88.9 FT%

Player Breakdown: Carleton Scott made a ridiculously foolish move when he decided to enter the NBA draft last year, as he was ranked the 120th overall prospect in Chad Forde's player rankings.

That decision meant he'd have a tough road to playing in the NBA. Luckily Scott is getting his chance to make an impact this summer, and he'll try to do that with his trademark physicality on the defensive side of the ball—something the Nets can certainly utilize.

Scott will impress throughout the summer league with his defensive intensity and his athleticism on the wing, and that's what will earn him a minimum contract with the Nets heading into the 2012-'13 season.

Prediction: Scott will get his first NBA contract heading into next year, and if realizes his true potential he could easily be one of the Nets' go-to defenders next season. 

Tornike Shengelia, F, EURO (2012 No. 51 Overall Pick)

Player Profile: 6'9'', 228 pounds

2011-'12 Per-Game Stats: 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 45.2 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 68.2 FT%

Player Breakdown: Tornike Shengelia is the Nets' lone draft pick for the 2012 NBA draft, and they have high hopes that he'll be able to turn into the next Hedo Turkoglu.

Shengelia is the kind of player who likes to hang out on the wing more than he likes to bang in the paint, and that's something that will hold him back during his time in the summer league over the next few weeks.

The Nets will see that Shengelia is a rather raw player who needs a bit more time to develop his post game before he's ready to be a legitimate player in the NBA. If the Nets want to use their limited money wisely, they'll realize that Shengelia needs a bit more time to develop and send him back to Europe for another year or two.  

Prediction: The Nets will keep Shengelia in Europe for at least one more season to help him develop into a more efficient player before they bring him to the NBA. 

Al Thornton, SF, Guayama (Puerto Rico)

Player Profile: 6'8'', 235 pounds

2011-'12 Per-Game Stats: 25.3 points,9.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals,  46.2 FG%, 38.3 3P%, 81.0 FT%

Player Breakdown: Al Thornton's four-year NBA career was on the decline, so he decided to try out the professional basketball talent down in Puerto Rico last year. That decision worked out, as he found his offensive stroke.

There's no guarantee that Thornton's production in Puerto Rico will carry back into the NBA, but that's what the summer league is for.

If Thornton can put together a strong performance in the summer league, the Nets will certainly fall in love with his potential and offer him one of their minimum-level contracts. 

Prediction: Thornton will impress the Nets enough for them to offer him a one-year deal, near his four-year minimum of $1 million, making him an anchor of their bench unit heading into the 2012-'13 season. 

Julian Wright, SF, Austin Toros (NBA D-League)

Player Profile: 6'8'', 225 pounds

2011-'12 Per-Game Stats: 15.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, 63.0 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 57.5 FT%

Player Breakdown: Julian Wright has four years of NBA experience and that gives him an advantage over some of the other, younger players on the Nets' summer league roster.

Wright's experience could hold him back though, as the Nets will be looking to sign players to minimum contracts, and his four years of experience make him more costly than other players with less experience.

Wright is an athletic slashing forward who can certainly be a productive bench player for the Nets. Playing in the D-league last year helped Wright become a more efficient player.

Let's hope he can carry that efficiency and production back into the NBA. 

Prediction: Julian Wright's four-year minimum of near $1 million will be too much for the Nets to commit, leaving Wright off their 2012-'13 depth chart. 

Jeff Foote, C, New Orleans Hornets (1-Year Experience)

Player Profile: 7'0'', 265 pounds

2011-'12 Per-Game Stats: 1.0 points, 1.6 rebounds, 0.3 blocks, 33.3 FG%

Player Breakdown: Jeff Foote is the one center prospect on the Nets' summer league roster that has NBA experience, but that doesn't mean much as his NBA minutes were extremely limited.

During his rookie year with the New Orleans Hornets, Foote seemed lost when he was on the court, and that doesn't bode well for his time on the Nets' summer league roster.

Foote will have his work cut out for him, going up against a more fluid center in Garret Stutz for a place on the Nets bench, and if history tells us anything, it's that Foote won't be able to cut it. 

Prediction: If Foote wants to get professional experience during the 2012-'13 season he's going to have to take his talents overseas because the Nets aren't the right team to help his development. 

Garrett Stutz, C, Wichita State (Undrafted Free Agent)

Player Profile: 7'0'', 255 pounds

2011-'12 Per-Game Stats: 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 blocks, 54.2 FG%, 30.3 3P%, 82.1 FT%

Player Breakdown: Garret Stutz was a relatively productive player at Wichita State the past four seasons, and the Nets are hoping his big frame will help him carry that production into the NBA. 

One of the biggest positives of Stutz's game is the range that he has from beyond the arc. While the Nets will want him to fill the paint coming off the bench, there's no doubt that Stutz's ability to hit three-pointers will come in handy.

Versatility is key for the Nets, especially with their second unit, and that, in addition to consistent production in the paint and on the glass, is what Stutz brings to the court.  

Prediction: Garrett Stutz will be on the other end of one of the minimum contracts the Nets hand out this offseason.  

Key Storyline for Brooklyn Nets' Summer League: Minimum Contracts

After trading for Joe Johnson's massive contract, and re-signing Deron Williams to a contract worth nearly $100 million, the Nets are in a situation where they are going to have to fill out their depth chart with minimum-level contracts.

Luckily for the Nets, they have a plethora of players who are in a position to earn their first NBA contracts.

It's going to be interesting to see which players the Nets focus on during the summer league workouts, and which players they end up filling out their bench with.

With the right players, like Tyshawn Taylor, Garrett Stutz, Adam Morrison and Al Thornton, the Nets could be a very dangerous team in the East next season.

It all starts with the 2012 summer league, and that's why it's going to be such an interesting and exciting one to watch for for Nets' fans.