3. Durant’s extension, Harden and Irving’s silence

This story has a case for No. 1, given the long-term ramifications. If everything else gets blown to bits, the Nets have Durant, a perennial top 5 player, inked to their roster for the foreseeable future.

Durant agreed to a four-year, $198 million extension in August, but has since yet to be joined by Harden and Irving in committing to Brooklyn long-term. The two guards can potentially become free agents this summer, an unlikely but possible development worth watching for.

2. Kyrie’s vaccination status

Nets fans may be tired of hearing it, but nothing has defined this season more than Brooklyn missing Irving due to his not complying with city vaccination mandates. Without Irving, there’s a serious scoring punch clearly missing, and the NBA’s best teams have given the Nets fits.

The major development on this front since the Nets initially barred Irving from participating in team activities was Brooklyn turning over its decision in the wake of this winter's COVID outbreak, resulting in a mixed reaction from fans.

How this situation unfolds once the playoffs come into view will surely define Brooklyn’s postseason success.

1. Nets trade for Harden

Nearly a year ago, Brooklyn shook up the NBA landscape for good when the team traded most of its remaining prospects and picks for Harden. This propelled them from contender to favorite by forming a new superteam capable of feeding off three of the greatest scorers to ever play the game.

This trade has many angles to it worth exploring to this date, including the subsequent blossoming of former Net Jarrett Allen, who may make an All-Star team. With the Nets going forward, anything short of a championship would deem the move a failure, as it left little flexibility to change directions.

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