Nets’ Rondae Hollis-Jefferson breaks ankle, undergoes surgery

The Nets’ present is bleak, and their future is even more grim.

They’re 5-15 and don’t have their own draft pick for the next three years.

It’s bad.

And it’s about to get worse.

Brooklyn is losing its most-promising player, its only starter younger than 27 – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

Nets release:

Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has been diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture of the posterior talus in his right ankle, General Manager Billy King announced today. The injury occurred during practice on Saturday, December 5. Hollis-Jefferson will undergo surgery this week, and a timetable for his return will be established following the procedure.

This helps the Celtics, who own Brooklyn’s unprotected 2016 first-round pick.

It’s obviously bad news for Hollis-Jefferson and the Nets, but as long as he fully recovers, the damage is contained. The Nets weren’t going anywhere this season, anyway. There’s plenty of time for the 20-year-old Hollis-Jefferson – who has played impressive defense in his rookie year – to get healthy and continue developing.

But, in the meantime, there’s one less reason for Brooklyn fans to watch this team.