Brooklyn Nets Rumors: Chris McCullough To Return Before Rondae Hollis-Jefferson?
Brooklyn Nets Rumors: Could the Nets see rookie Chris McCullough on the court for the first time in his career before fellow rookie Rondae Hollis-Jefferson returns from his own injury?
The Brooklyn Nets have had a disastrous 2015-16 season, as they currently have a 12-36 record and are in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, 13 games out of a playoff spot. There is not much of a light at the end of the tunnel for the Nets, as they do not have many assets or building blocks on the roster.
Two of the players that the Nets are hoping to get some production out of is Chris McCullough and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Both players were first round picks in the 2015 NBA Draft, as McCullough was selected 29th overall with a pick originally owned by the Atlanta Hawks, and Hollis-Jefferson was selected with a pick made by the Portland Trail Blazers; the Nets acquired him in a deal involving Mason Plumlee.
More from Empire Writes Back
- Caesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!
- Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
- Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!
- PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
- Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!
Both players are currently sidelined though, as McCullough recovers from ACL surgery he underwent while still at Syracuse, and Hollis-Jefferson recovers from a broken bone in his ankle the first week of December. Hollis-Jefferson has not seen the court in the last 28 games.
When the Nets selected McCullough with the 29th pick, it was thought by some that this would be a lost season, as many people thought the Nets would sit him in his rookie campaign to make sure he was fully recovered from surgery. But, that no longer seems to be the case, as there are whispers that he will actually return to the court this season before Hollis-Jefferson does.
That is the news coming from NetsDaily.com of SBNation. This is what they have to say about the recoveries of McCullough and Hollis-Jefferson:
"McCullough’s likely to return before Hollis-Jefferson. He’s been practicing now for a month and one league source told us his debut is “very close.” The Nets have been extremely close-mouthed about his progress, but the same league source says that once he is on the court, don’t be surprised if he’s playing small forward."
With not much to play for with over half of the season in the books, this would be a nice jolt for the Nets. It would be encouraging for the development of McCullough that he gets some real game action this season, as it takes a while for a player to get back into game shape. If he is able to do that this season, it will also gain him valuable experience that you cannot get on the practice court or in the summer league.
The thought process during the draft was that the Nets would groom McCullough to be a stretch four, but with how well Thaddeus Young has been playing, we could see McCullough play at small forward. Being listed at 6-feet-11 inches tall, the Nets would have quite an imposing from court between McCullough, Young and Brook Lopez. McCullough is known for his defensive abilities, which would fit in well with the more offensive minded Lopez and energetic Young.
Related Story: Brooklyn Nets Rumors: GM Candidates Down To Two?
McCullough has plenty of work to do still, but going into the draft process he was considered a lottery talent, only falling in the draft because of his knee injury. If he can return to health and showcase that lottery talent once again, the Nets could have a steal on their hand with the 29th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.