Following an influx of new talent over the offseason, here are five bold predictions for the Brooklyn Nets in 2017-18.

Having posted a 41-123 record over the past two seasons, the only way is up for the Brooklyn Nets in 2017-18.

Last season was somewhat of a transition point for the Nets as a franchise. General manager Sean Marks had his full season in control of the team, having being hired midway through the 2015-16 season. Marks’ first major move was the hiring of Kenny Atkinson as head coach.

From there, Marks and the Nets have primarily looked to stock up on young talent, even if it’s meant taking on long and expensive contracts.

Having foregone three future first round picks in their regretful trade with the Boston Celtics for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, Marks has had to come up with alternate avenues to accumulate drafts picks and talent.

The first example was Marks offloading center Brook Lopez and taking on the remaining $48 million on center Timofey Mozgov‘s contract, in order to acquire point guard D’Angelo Russell from the Los Angeles Lakers. As the No. 2 overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, Russell represents the top-end talent the Nets have missed out on in recent drafts due to their dealing with the Celtics.

Also, Marks recently took on the remaining $30.2 million on the contract of forward DeMarre Carroll in order to receive a future first and second round draft selection from the Toronto Raptors.

So while these moves restrict the Nets’ cap flexibility in the coming years, it is nonetheless one of the only options they have available to secure young talent for the future of the franchise. Therefore, Marks and his front office should be commended for taking these thoughtful initiatives.

So with a new-looking roster and rotation in place, here are five bold predictions for the Nets in 2017-18.