Brooklyn Nets: 2015-16 player profiles
— -- Go to: Starters | Reserves
Here are our player scouting reports and 2015-16 projections for the Brooklyn Nets.
Projected starters
Jarrett Jack
Position: Guard
Experience: 10 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Aging combo guard who will be thrust into starting point guard role with Deron Williams' departure
+ Too quick to call his own number offensively, slumped badly from 3-point range last season
+ Has strength to defend either guard spot, but quickness could be an issue against point guards
Analysis
With the Deron Williams buyout, Jack will likely enter this season as a starting point guard, the first time he's done so since 2011-12 in New Orleans. Brooklyn went 11-16 in Jack's 27 starts last season but 7-6 in the 13 games Williams came off the bench. In the 14 games the Nets played with Jack as their lone point guard, they were 4-10.
As recently as 2012-13, Jack was an effective offensive player, which earned him a four-year deal worth more than $25 million. Since then, his efficiency has cratered. In 2013-14 in Cleveland, Jack struggled inside the arc. His 2-point percentage bounced back last season, but his 3-point accuracy dipped to 26.7 percent -- Jack's lowest mark since his rookie season. That didn't stop Jack from using 22.7 percent of Brooklyn's plays while on the court, a rate that's hard to justify even if his true-shooting percentage can climb back to league average. Jack is not a good distributor for a starting point guard and, according to NBA.com/Stats, the Nets averaged 4.9 fewer points per 100 possessions with him at the controls instead of Williams.
A stout 6-foot-3, Jack was more than capable of playing together with Williams in the backcourt. As a lead guard, he might have trouble chasing smaller players around at times. Jack turns 32 on opening night and isn't as quick as he once was. His combination of age and a salary that's just $500,000 guaranteed in 2016-17 makes Jack a candidate to be waived next summer.
Joe Johnson
Position: Guard
Experience: 14 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ League's second-highest paid player remains useful as a veteran role player
+ Crafty post scorer, even against bigger defenders; average to slightly better 3-point shooter
+ Fine rebounder for a wing -- strength and size are best defensive assets
Analysis
While a solid contributor on the wing, Johnson cannot possibly justify making the NBA's second-highest salary ($24.9 million) this season. At long last, the six-year, $123.7 million contract Johnson signed with the Atlanta Hawks in 2010 will conclude next summer. For now, he's the last reminder left of the Nets' vain effort to spend their way into contention by taking on highly paid veterans.
The most obvious evidence of Johnson's advancing age is his declining usage rate, which dipped to 20.3 percent last season. Brooklyn can no longer isolate Johnson and expect him to create a good shot; "Iso Joe" scored 159 points on isolations last season, according to Synergy Sports tracking, barely half his 2012-13 total (309). He has scored more points on post-ups over the last two years, taking advantage of his strength. Johnson also ran more pick-and-rolls last season. He remains a spot-up threat. His 3-point percentage declined to 35.9 percent last season, but it likely will be closer to his career mark (37.1 percent) this year.
Johnson's size and strength also have aged well defensively, making him more effective against small forwards than shooting guards at this stage of his career. Per NBA.com/Stats, the Nets allowed 4.3 points fewer points per 100 possessions with Johnson at the 3 spot. He even played a little 4 in extremely small lineups, and Johnson's rebounding ability meant Brooklyn wasn't overmatched on the glass.
Bojan Bogdanovic
Position: Forward
Experience: 1 year
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Croatian wing with good size and strength for the position
+ Capable outside shooter, good finisher around the basket and moves well without the ball
+ Poor rebounder, improved defensively over course of season
Analysis
Taken with the first pick of the second round in 2011, Bogdanovic finally turned up in the NBA last season on a three-year contract worth slightly more than $10 million. At age 25, Bogdanovic played the fifth-most minutes among all rookies and started 28 games, as well as five more in the playoffs. He got better throughout the season, culminating in winning Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors for April after averaging 14.4 points on 48.8 percent 3-point shooting.
After Johnson, Bogdanovic was Lionel Hollins' best offensive option on the wing. He wasn't quite as effective as advertised overall from downtown, making 35.5 percent of his 3s, but he shot an impressive 53.2 percent inside the arc. Bogdanovic finished well over bigger defenders. He also kept opponents occupied with his ability to cut off the ball and create separation working with off-ball screens. So even when Bogdanovic didn't start, he often played with the starters to begin the second half and finished games. While his April explosion was based largely on unsustainable 3-point shooting, it shows the potential for Bogdanovic to do more in the future.
The need for a better wing defender was the key reason Bogdanovic typically played off the bench. He struggled initially to keep up with NBA athletes but got more comfortable over the course of the season. In the playoffs, Hollins trusted him to defend Kyle Korver. That improvement might help Bogdanovic solidify a starting job this year.
Thaddeus Young
Position: Forward
Experience: 8 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Undersized lefty power forward who uses quickness to beat bigger defenders
+ Solid, creative finisher, but only an adequate 3-point shooter, at best
+ Weak rebounder and rim protector; more comfortable defending on the perimeter
Analysis
Around last year's trade deadline, Young must have been wondering if it was him. After playing for the 19-63 76ers in 2013-14, Young was traded to Minnesota and saw the team go 11-42. He got his reprieve in a deadline deal straight up for Kevin Garnett. Young's arrival helped Brooklyn win more games after the All-Star break (17) than the Timberwolves did all season (16). He played in the postseason for the first time since 2012, then signed a four-year contract this summer worth $50 million to stay with the Nets.
Replacing Garnett with Young helped create more space for Brook Lopez to operate in the post. While Young isn't exactly a stretch 4 -- last season's 33.0 percent was the best he has shot from 3-point range since 2009-10, and it came on just 115 attempts -- he can pose a threat on the perimeter with his ability to beat slower defenders off the dribble. Young has good touch around the basket, almost exclusively using his natural left hand, and he benefited from playing with better offensive teammates. Young's 2-point percentage rebounded to 51.6 percent in Brooklyn.
To some extent, playing Young means trading better offense for weaker interior defense. A small forward at times early in his career, the 6-foot-8 Young provides little obstacle to opponents around the basket. Opponents made 60.1 percent of their attempts within five feet when Young was the closest defender, which per SportVU tracking on NBA.com/Stats was the league's third-worst mark. He also still rebounds like a small forward. Nonetheless, ESPN's real plus-minus rates Young as a net positive on defense. He moves his feet well and is at home defending smaller players given his history as a wing.
Brook Lopez
Position: Center
Experience: 7 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Talented scorer who recaptured past All-Star form after the All-Star break
+ High-usage, moderate efficiency scorer with good touch; accurate set shooter to around 20 feet
+ Above-average shot-blocker, struggles to defend more mobile centers due to limited lateral quickness
Analysis
At midseason, the notion of Lopez signing a big deal this summer seemed laughable. Coming back from a recurrence of foot trouble that cost him 65 games in 2013-14, Lopez had a tough time coexisting with fellow big men Garnett and Mason Plumlee and came off the bench much of the first half. The addition of Young gave Lopez a more ideal frontcourt partner, and he surged down the stretch. Lopez averaged 22.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per 36 minutes after the All-Star break. while shooting 52.5 percent from the field. The Nets rewarded him with a new three-year contract worth nearly $64 million.
When healthy, Lopez is one of the league's most skilled offensive centers. He's a threat with his back to the basket and is exceptionally accurate using a turnaround push shot. Lopez will even use the push shot as something of a floater from the perimeter. A set shooter, he's a threat on the pick-and-pop, with range to about 20 feet. (Lopez did launch 10 3-pointers last season, more than his previous career to date, but made just one, his first in an NBA game.) Lopez also sets himself apart from other centers with his free throw shooting (81.4 percent last season), which bolsters his efficiency.
Despite mostly playing flat-footed on defense, Lopez is a good shot-blocker who rejected 4.8 percent of opponents' 2-point attempts last season. He is less effective when drawn away from the basket. Lopez is slow laterally and uncomfortable on the perimeter. His quickness also is an issue when asked to do anything but drop as a pick-and-roll defender.
Reserves
Shane Larkin
Position: Guard
Experience: 2 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Quick, pick-and-roll point guard who has been unable to establish himself as an NBA rotation player
+ Accurate college 3-point shooting has yet to translate to NBA line. Poor playmaker
+ Has fast hands but not enough size to bother opponents as defender
Analysis
After barely playing as a rookie in Dallas, Larkin got to start 22 games and play nearly 2,000 minutes for the lowly New York Knicks last season. However, the Knicks decided before the season not to pick up their team option on Larkin for 2015-16. He settled for a two-year contract for $3 million with the rival Nets that allows him to become a free agent again next summer.
At Miami, Larkin -- son of Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin -- thrived in the pick-and-roll game because of his ability to drive and score beyond the arc. The latter trait hasn't carried over to the longer NBA line. Larkin made just 30.2 percent of his 3-pointers last season, allowing defenders to play off him. Larkin has been effective when he gets to the basket, but too often he is forced to settle for low-percentage floaters and pullups off the dribble. As a result, he shot 35.1 percent as a pick-and-roll ball handler last season, putting him in the bottom 10 among players with at least 100 such shot attempts, according to Synergy Sports tracking. Larkin should compensate by focusing on distributing, but he averaged just 4.4 assists per 36 minutes.
At the defensive end, Larkin's slight frame is a major issue. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 176 pounds, he can't present much of a challenge to bigger opponents. Larkin does have quick hands, and his steal rate is solidly above average. Still, he's unlikely to ever become even an average defender.
Wayne Ellington
Position: Guard
Experience: 6 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Sharpshooting guard who is relatively well-rounded for a player of his ilk
+ Good, not great 3-point shooter but capable of creating his own shot
+ Adequate defender but vulnerable to being posted up by bigger opponents
Analysis
Traded twice in the summer of 2014 before being waived by Sacramento, Ellington landed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a one-year contract for the veteran's minimum and recorded career highs in starts (36) and minutes per game (25.8). Ellington parlayed that performance into a two-year deal with Brooklyn worth up to $3.1 million if he opts against returning to free agency this summer.
Though Ellington is thought of as a shooting specialist, he apparently doesn't view himself this way. Ellington has never attempted more than half of his shots beyond the arc, and his rate dropped last season to less than 40 percent of his tries. Ellington would be better off focusing on the 3s. While he's capable of creating his own shot, his effective field-goal percentage on 3s (55.5 percent last season) is far better than his shooting percentage inside the arc (43.9 percent in 2014-15, right on his career mark).
On the plus side, Ellington has proven capable of holding his own defensively. According to NBA.com/Stats, the Lakers allowed 7.1 fewer points per 100 possessions with Ellington on the court last season. He'll execute a scouting report and stay disciplined on D. Ellington's biggest weakness is that at 6-foot-4 he gives up size to many shooting guards and particularly struggles to defend small forwards.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Position: Forward
Experience: Rookie
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Athletic defensive specialist with potential if he improves his shooting ability
+ Capable ball handler for his size but not a threat from the college 3-point line
+ Possesses excellent 7-foot-2 wingspan and nimble feet. Can defend multiple positions
Analysis
Perhaps the best perimeter defender in the 2015 draft, Hollis-Jefferson was originally selected 23rd overall by Portland before being traded on draft night to Brooklyn as part of a deal that sent Plumlee to the Northwest. Hollis-Jefferson figures to be part of the Nets' rotation from day one.
Part of a deep Arizona lineup, Hollis-Jefferson used plays at an average rate last season as a sophomore. He was much more aggressive during summer play, firing up 21 shots in 40 minutes in one game. Hollis-Jefferson's biggest offensive limitation is his shooting range. He made just eight 3-pointers in 39 attempts (20.5 percent) in two seasons from the college line. Hollis-Jefferson's form is an issue, though he shot a respectable 70.7 percent at the free throw line in 2014-15. He's herky-jerky on the dribble, which drew fouls in Las Vegas, but a solid ball handler for a small forward.
Defensively, Hollis-Jefferson should be able to defend all three perimeter spots along with smaller power forwards. His 7-foot-2 wingspan allows Hollis-Jefferson to swallow up smaller opponents, and his agile feet keep ball handlers in front of him. Hollis-Jefferson figures to immediately become Brooklyn's best defender, and he'll also contribute on the glass.
Andrea Bargnani
Position: Forward
Experience: 9 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Former No. 1 pick now reduced to playing off the bench for veteran's minimum
+ Reputation as outside shooter overstated; more accurate on long 2s than beyond 3-point line
+ Defensive liability; doesn't protect the rim and isn't capable of defending on the perimeter
Analysis
The fall was swift and painful for Bargnani, the No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft. After his five-year contract worth more than $50 million concluded with another injury-plagued, ineffective season with the Knicks, Bargnani swallowed an enormous pay cut. He ended up passing on a bigger offer from the Kings in favor of a two-year deal at the veteran's minimum with the Nets that gives him a 2016-17 player option.
Following hamstring and calf injuries that cost him most of last season's first three months, Bargnani actually had his best offensive year in a while, making 36.6 percent of his 3s -- his best mark since 2009-10. The problem is Bargnani would rather stay a step inside the arc, shooting nearly three times as many 2-pointers from beyond 16 feet as 3s, according to Basketball-Reference.com. Though Bargnani is more accurate from this range, shooting 44.5 percent last season, his shots from there are still less valuable than 3-point attempts. As a result, Bargnani hasn't scored with even average efficiency since 2011-12.
Given his defensive shortcomings, Bargnani needs to be an elite scorer to justify heavy minutes. The Knicks allowed 111.5 points per 100 possessions with Bargnani on the court last season, their worst defensive rating with any individual, according to NBA.com/Stats. As a center, Bargnani is a poor rim protector and defensive rebounder. At power forward, he's too slow to defend on the perimeter.
Thomas Robinson
Position: Forward
Experience: 3 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Lottery pick attempting to rebuild his career after failing in first three stops
+ Poor finisher prone to turnovers when he tries to do too much with the ball
+ Strong rebounder, capable of highlight blocks, though only average as a shot-blocker
Analysis
Midway through last season, Portland became the third team to give up on Robinson and included the former No. 5 pick in a trade with Denver after declining his 2015-16 option during training camp. Robinson hoped to join the Nets after a buyout, but Philadelphia scuttled those plans by claiming Robinson off waivers. He showed promise in the Sixers' up-tempo system before finally joining Brooklyn on a two-year contract for the veteran's minimum with a 2016-17 player option.
Despite obvious athletic gifts, Robinson has never even made half of his 2-point attempts. Part of the issue is his tendency to try to do too much, which also leads to regular turnovers. Even when Robinson plays within himself, however, he's vulnerable to shot-blockers and oddly inaccurate around the basket. He is a career 58.8 percent shooter inside three feet, per Basketball-Reference.com. Robinson was no more efficient in Philadelphia, though he increased his usage rate to 23.6 percent with more putbacks -- he's an outstanding offensive rebounder -- and by outrunning slower defenders in transition.
Robinson has the offensive skills of a center but isn't quite big enough to man the position full time on defense. Despite a penchant for impressive volleyball swats, he's a below-average shot-blocker for a center. Robinson is capable of providing energy and has been more effective in front of home crowds. Last season, he averaged 15.5 points and 14.6 rebounds per 36 minutes at home compared to 11.5 and 12.2 on the road.
Sergey Karasev
Position: Guard
Experience: 2 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Multiskilled wing player who has yet to translate his skills into NBA production
+ Has struggled from NBA 3-point line but has a good feel for the game and is a comfortable ball handler
+ Good size for a wing but is not a committed defender
Analysis
The Nets and majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov snagged Russian wing Karasev from Cleveland in last summer's trade for Jack. Having played just 156 minutes as a rookie, Karasev briefly started in 2014-15 but was unable to hold the job. He ended the season on the sidelines after dislocating his patella and tearing his MCL.
Karasev, who will turn 22 during training camp, flashed some of the skills that made him in a first-round pick. He is a good enough ball handler and playmaker to be a shooting guard and has good size for the position at 6-foot-7. Karasev displayed good feel moving without the ball and making plays off curls, although he occasionally tried to do too much. The biggest key to his development will be simply making shots. He shot 49.0 percent from 3-point range during EuroCup play in 2012-13 in Russia, but he made just 29.6 percent of his triple attempts last season.
Putting more energy into the defensive end of the court would also surely endear Karasev to Coach Hollins. To his credit, Brooklyn defended much better with Karasev on the court. Still, he faces more competition for playing time on the wing this season. And he had to spend his offseason rehabbing rather than working on his game. Karasev wasn't cleared for 5-on-5 play until mid-September.
Markel Brown
Position: Guard
Experience: 1 year
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ High-flying, undersized shooting guard who functions as Nets' perimeter stopper as rookie
+ Poor outside shooter, struggled to contribute offensively in the half court
+ Long arms enable him to defend bigger players; brings energy and attentiveness on D
Analysis
As a rookie drafted in the second round, Brown started 29 games because he was Brooklyn's best perimeter defender. However, Brown's offensive limitations meant that role was largely ceremonial. He averaged just 16.6 minutes per game, the fewest of any player who started at least half his games, and played 10 minutes total in the Nets' playoff series against Atlanta.
At a listed 6-foot-3, Brown is tiny for a stopper. He was able to compensate with a wingspan measured at nearly 6-foot-9 at the NBA draft combine. Brown blocked shots at an above-average rate for a wing and also was effective on the defensive glass. Still, Brooklyn allowed a higher defensive rating with Brown on the court. And the arrival of rookie Hollis-Jefferson means his skill set is no longer unique.
After all, Brown was an exceptionally weak offensive player. He shot 26.6 percent from 3-point range, allowing defenders to help off him, and wasn't much better inside the arc. Despite an impressive vertical -- he completed a 360-degree dunk in a game -- Brown made just 54.1 percent of his shots inside three feet, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
Chris McCullough
Position: Forward
Experience: Rookie
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Tantalizing, raw power forward prospect who missed much of his lone NCAA campaign
+ High steal and block rates suggest major defensive potential
+ Middling defensive rebounder; mostly just a finisher on offense at this point
Analysis
Syracuse forward McCullough earned some lottery buzz with a strong start to his freshman season before suffering a torn ACL in January, shortly into conference play. Despite the injury, McCullough declared for the draft and was taken 29th overall by the Nets. With fellow rookie Hollis-Jefferson capable of playing right away, Brooklyn can think long term with McCullough, who has yet to be cleared to return to the court.
Even if he were healthy, McCullough probably wouldn't be ready to help an NBA team yet. He was a first-round pick based largely on athleticism for his size. A wingspan measured larger than 7-foot-3 at the NBA draft combine helped McCullough block 8.5 percent of opponents' 2-point attempts and come up with 3.6 steals per 100 possessions. Nerlens Noel (3.9 steals, 13.2 percent block rate) is the only NBA draft pick in the Sports-Reference.com database who matched those rates. Still, McCullough made just 47.3 percent of his 2-point attempts and was a weak defensive rebounder in Jim Boeheim's trademark zone defense.
Donald Sloan
Position: Guard
Experience: 4 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Journeyman point guard who made most of chance to start early in 2014-15
+ Adequate scorer and playmaker, below-average outside shooter
+ Physical defender, good rebounder for a point guard.
Analysis
Injuries to George Hill and C.J. Watson gave Sloan an unexpected opportunity to start 21 games for the Pacers last season. He averaged 11.4 points, 5.2 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game in that role, including a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds) in the season opener. Still, Sloan couldn't scare up anything better than a token guarantee ($50,000, per BasketballInsiders.com) on a minimum-salary contract from the Nets this summer.
Sloan doesn't have a single defining NBA skill. Perhaps the closest is his impressive rebounding as a point guard. Offensively, Sloan is below average as both a scorer and passer. He doesn't shoot well enough (30.3 percent from 3-point range last season) to really threaten defenses. However, Sloan is good enough across the board to keep an offense running, and Indiana went a respectable 8-13 in his starts.
Dahntay Jones
Position: Guard
Experience: 11 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Veteran defensive specialist who has played for seven different teams
+ Inaccurate outside shooter, generally a non-factor on offense
+ Gritty defender who makes opponents work; undersized against bigger small forwards
Analysis
After spending the entire 2013-14 campaign at home, Jones began last season in the D-League and earned a call-up from the Los Angeles Clippers. Though Jones played just 133 minutes, the Clippers kept him around the remainder of the year. His biggest contribution probably was to the Clippers-Warriors rivalry by bumping Draymond Green as Green was conducting a postgame interview on ABC. Jones accepted a training-camp invite from Brooklyn and will try to beat out Brown and Quincy Miller for a spot as a backup wing defender.
At 34, Jones is no longer the athletic presence he once was and has to rely on his strength and guile to deal with more talented opponents. As tough as he is defensively, Jones can be prone to fouls (4.4 per 36 minutes in his career) and takes bad gambles. Never an offensive contributor in his prime, Jones was basically a bystander last season, using 9.8 percent of the Clippers' plays while on the court.
Quincy Miller
Position: Forward
Experience: 3 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Athletic small forward with excellent frame for the position
+ Decent outside shooter, not really a playmaker off the dribble
+ Major shot-blocking presence from the wing
Analysis
Denver cut 2012 second-round pick Miller before the season, and he landed with the D-League's Reno Bighorns. Reno's extreme high-tempo pace proved perfect for Miller, who averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and a league-high 3.2 blocks in just 28.3 minutes per game. After accounting for tempo, Miller was still dominant in the D-League, topping all players with a 28.3 PER. He parlayed the success into a contract from the Detroit Pistons for the remainder of the season with a non-guaranteed 2015-16 salary. Over the summer, the Pistons swapped Miller to Brooklyn for Steve Blake, and he'll battle for a roster spot in camp.
Miller's best skill is his shot-blocking. A long 6-foot-9, he swatted 7.2 percent of opponents' shots in the D-League, a better rate than Rudy Gobert in the NBA. Miller hasn't been quite that effective against NBA competition, but his block rate in limited minutes has been around that of the average center. Still, Miller has to find a way to contribute in a half-court offense. He's not much of an outside shooter (35.5 percent on 3s in the D-League) and doesn't figure to create his own shot against NBA defenders.
Ryan Boatright
Position: Guard
Experience: Rookie
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Tiny, super-quick combo guard who must stick at point guard in NBA
+ Consistent 3-point shooter from college line capable of creating own shot
+ Above-average rebounder for size with good steal rate
Analysis
With backcourt mate Shabazz Napier reaching the NBA after they won a national championship together, Boatright spent his senior season as UConn's star guard. Boatright averaged 17.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists, earning a camp invitation with a token guarantee ($75,000, according to BasketballInsiders.com) from the Nets as an undrafted free agent.
Ultimately, the 6-foot Boatright must prove he can play point guard in the NBA after sharing ballhandling duties throughout his college career. If so, Boatright's 3-point range (he shot 41.1 percent as a senior and 43.6 percent from the NBA line during summer play) and pick-and-roll ability could make him a rotation-caliber player. However, Boatright handed out just 2.2 assists per game this summer, a bad sign.
Willie Reed
Position: Center
Experience: Rookie
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Longtime D-League standout who has yet to appear in an NBA game
+ Outstanding offensive rebounder; high-percentage finisher in D-League with limited range
+ Solid shot-blocker, tad undersized for an NBA center
Analysis
A year after being waived by Brooklyn during training camp, Reed is back, this time with $500,000 in guaranteed salary (per BasketballInsiders.com) -- an amount that gives him an inside track on a roster spot as a backup big man. Reed has been overqualified for the D-League -- where he spent the last three seasons and averaged 16.4 points and 12.2 rebounds on 60.1 percent shooting in 2014-15 -- and has earned an NBA opportunity.
As an NBA center, the 6-foot-10 Reed projects as an above-average rebounder and an average shot-blocker, though the D-League-to-NBA translation takes a big chunk out of his shooting percentage. Still, the SCHOENE projection system compares him to useful big men like Ed Davis and Jordan Hill. If Reed plays that well, he'll be a steal at the minimum salary.