Nenad Krstic

Krstic signed with OKC in late December last season after playing in Russia. He provided a scoring boost the team lacked at center but disappointed defensively. In 28 starts, he averaged only 5.8 rebounds per game and 1.04 blocks per game. The team signed Etan Thomas to pick up the defensive slack, leaving Krstic free to provide value as a scorer.

Krstic was in the midst of a breakout season before a torn anterior cruciate ligament ended his year. He was averaging career highs in all five counting categories as well as field goal percentages, and at more than 16 points and almost seven boards per game he was on the cusp of impact starter status. It normally takes more than a year for a player to get back to full speed after ACL reconstruction so expect Krstic to have trouble duplicating those numbers early, but he is worth a late flyer – if he doesn’t have a setback he could be reaching his stride just in time for the stretch run of the season.

Though not a big rebounder for his size, Krstic’s offensive game is developing nicely. He moves around the court easily and has a nice touch in close and can hit mid-range stuff, too. He got more scoring opportunities (11 FGA/g) last season, but is still an afterthought with Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and Jason Kidd leading the show. He’s not much of a shot-blocker and isn’t known for his defense, but represents the only scoring threat the Nets have in the low post at this point.

Krstic showed promise in his rookie year, averaging 10 points and a little over five rebounds in 26 minutes per game. Krstic's offensive post game is already in good shape, but he needs to become more consistent as a rebounder and shot-blocker. He frequently put up lines like his 15-point, 15-rebound effort against Charlotte, only to follow it up two days later with a 17-point, three-rebound outing against the Clippers. Krstic will return as New Jersey’s starting center this season.

Will not receive any minutes on a deep Nets team even if he decides to leave Europe and play in the NBA this season. Do not draft.