Nets’ Julius Randle likes fit with Michael Porter Jr., but questions remain

Julius Randle believes playing alongside Michael Porter Jr. will be great. Offensively, it certainly makes sense.

“You know, we’re two completely different players, as far as style of play,” Randle told Gabriel Martins, via Erik Slater of ClutchPoints. “I can do a lot with the ball off the dribble, creating. And he’s a great catch-and-shoot guy who can really space the floor.”

Randle averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season while shooting 48.1 percent from the field. Porter was even more productive, averaging a career-high 24.2 points along with 7.1 rebounds in his first season as Brooklyn’s primary option.

So, yes, the Nets should score more. That isn’t setting the bar especially high after they finished last in the NBA offensively.

General manager Sean Marks believes Randle’s playmaking will also ease the burden on young guards Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr. Randle has spent years handling pressure possessions, making reads and creating shots. Brooklyn’s kids can learn while somebody else occasionally deals with the ugly stuff.

The larger question is what happens at the other end. Neither Randle nor Porter is known primarily for defense. Brooklyn also lacks an established rim protector, with Day’Ron Sharpe and Moritz Wagner projected as the center rotation and an inexperienced backcourt in front of them.

Marks has challenged both veterans to prove they can contribute beyond scoring. That’s where this partnership will ultimately be judged. Randle creating and Porter spotting up should work just fine.

The Nets getting enough stops for any of it to matter? Well, that’s the actual assignment.