Brooklyn Is Spoiling 78% of Payroll

These Brooklyn Nets are probably one of the best teams ever — on paper, given how little their superstars have actually played together.

Their sixth straight loss on Wednesday — this time against the 19-34 Kings — underscores the bigger issue that can no longer be swept under the rug. 

The Nets have played zero total games with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and sharpshooter Joe Harris — the four highest-paid players on the team, who account for 78% ($137.6M) of Brooklyn’s $176 million payroll.

• Brooklyn is 2-7 since KD sprained his MCL, dropping from the 1-seed to the 6-seed.
• They’re now 1.5 games from falling into a play-in spot.
• The Big Three are 13-3 in two seasons together — 2-0 this season.
• Durant has not only carried the offense but also has the best defensive rating (108.5) on the team among players averaging at least 20 minutes.

Durant is out through the All-Star Break, Irving is a part-time player, and Harris (ankle) could miss the rest of the regular season, per Zach Lowe.

And let’s not forget James Harden, who’s reportedly unhappy in Brooklyn and scored just four points in 37 minutes last night — his fewest ever in 30+ minutes. 

The Nets can turn things around in a hurry once Durant returns, but in the meantime they’re a below-average team losing to bottom feeders. 

And though it seems counterintuitive, perhaps a lower seed would work in Brooklyn’s favor. After all, Kyrie can only play in road games.