Name: Sergey Karasev
Height/weight (per Basketball-Reference.com): 6-7, 203 pounds
Career stats: 55 G, .391 FG%/.274 3FG%/.792 FT%, 3.5 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.9 APG, 99 offensive rating, 109 defensive rating
2014-15 stats: 33 G, .403 FG%/.296 3FG%/.763 FT%, 4.6 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.4 APG, 104 o-rating, 109 d-rating
How he was acquired: Traded by the Cavaliers to the Nets on July 10th, 2014 in a three-team deal with the Celtics that sent Jarrett Jack to the Nets, Marcus Thornton and Tyler Zeller (plus draft picks) to the Celtics and a draft pick to the Cavaliers
2014-15 season recap: After being used sparingly in the first month or so of last season, Karasev, who’s only 21 years old, began to see regular playing time in the Nets’ rotation and even started a few games. He played 12 games in the month of December–his busiest of the season–he averaged 8.6 points and 3.1 rebounds on 43 percent shooting in 27 minutes per contest, which are certainly respectable numbers for a fill-in starter. He definitely surprised fans and the coaching staff with his play.
However, as Bojan Bogdanovic was inserted into the starting lineup, Karasev saw the floor less and less. He played a total of 31 minutes in the months of February and March (the beginning) before suffering a brutal knee injury in Brooklyn’s 111-91 loss to the Pelicans on March 10. That injury, which was later revealed to be a torn MCL, ended Karasev’s season and kept him out of the playoffs.
Expected role: What Karasev will bring to the table in 2015-16 is a bit of a wild card, both in terms of how his body responds to his long rehab process and how he fits into the new-look Nets roster. He’s kind of stuck in between Markel Brown, Wayne Ellington, Donald Sloan and Shane Larkin (even Rondae Hollis-Jefferson) at point guard and shooting guard so how much, and if, he’ll play in the beginning of the season is a shot in the dark.
Best-case scenario: The flashes Karasev showed at times last season gave reason for optimism with his potential role on the Nets, especially his scoring ability. If he can sure up his defense–as well as stay healthy, a necessary condition for almost this entire roster–then he could provide some nice bench value.
Worst-case scenario: Major knee injuries, regardless of how successful the surgery was purported to be, are difficult to come back from at or near the same level as before the injury was suffered. Karasev will have to deal with this, but there’s a big chance it plagues his whole season, making it a wash. Also, with only two partial NBA seasons under his belt, the Russian doesn’t have the most impressive cache of success to fall back.
General thoughts: Like with Bargnani, any production the Nets can get off a rehabbed Karasev would be a major bonus as the first season following a torn MCL can be a major struggle. But, if he can stay on the floor and beat out some of the summer’s additions for playing time, then the lanky 6-8 swingman could turn heads.
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