How Teletovic’s role with Nets could grow next season

With the Nets season officially in the books, it’s time to look back at the year that was. We’ll look back at a different player each weekday, before wrapping up with the coaching staff and front office. Next up: Mirza Teletovic

Regular season stats: Averaged 8.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.3 blocks per game. Shot 41.8 percent from the field, 39.0 percent from 3-point range, 71.0 percent from the foul line in 19.4 minutes per game over 72 games (seven starts).

Playoff stats: Averaged 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.2 blocks per game. Shot 43.9 percent from the field, 33.9 percent from 3-point range, 66.7 percent from the foul line in 18.3 minutes per game over 12 games (no starts).

Contractual status: Due $3,368,100 for 2014-15 season, the final year of his contract.

Season recap

Teletovic remained something of an unknown quantity in his first year in the NBA, and his role entering this season with the Nets was unclear. As the season began, it looked as if things would not change much: He was a DNP in six of the first 11 games, and only played as many as 10 minutes twice.

But Teletovic began to find more and more playing time, up until the Nets switched to their smallball lineup and perimeter-oriented style – much more suited to Teletovic’s abilities as a stretch power forward – on Jan. 1.

From that point forward, Teletovic became a crucial piece for the Nets, coming off the bench to make 3-pointers to keep the floor spaced. The Nets were able to have success with the smallball attack because of their plethora of capable 3-point shooters, and Teletovic might be the best of them. He also proved capable of putting the ball on the floor and attacking the basket when being guarded by bigger and slower players.

He went on to have a productive playoffs for the Nets, even if he was a little up-and-down, scoring in double figures in five of the 12 games and scoring six or fewer in the other seven.

Outlook for next season

The Nets entered this season without much of an identity. They finished with a very defined style of play – the smallball look on offense and a trapping, turnover-forcing look on defense. Teletovic, even as a role player off the bench, is a big reason why they were able to do so.

For the first time, Teletovic heads into the offseason having been a key contributor, and he almost certainly will be asked to be a key reserve again next season – with the possibility of stepping into a starting role if Paul Pierce does not return.

Either way, Teletovic heads into next season with a much clearer idea of what will be expected of him, having spent this season proving he is more than capable of doing it.

Monday: Marcus Thornton