The NBA’s free agency period is officially underway. Many teams made additions to their squads. This article looks at the question: What to expect from the Brooklyn Nets during free agency?
Led by Sean Marks, the Nets continue to remain relevant in the NBA landscape. Before the NBA draft, Marks orchestrated a deal with the L.A Lakers bringing D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Nets. Consequently, this deal meant star center, Brook Lopez had to relocate to his hometown.
Timofey and @Dloading were introduced to the New York media on Monday morning.
8 Takeaways: https://t.co/Dvpa5CmWPM pic.twitter.com/R2zI12VrRC
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) June 28, 2017
Precursor for Brooklyn’s Free Agency
With the 22nd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Nets chose Jarrett Allen. In the second round, Marks chose Aleksandar “Aleks” Vezenkov. Vezenkov is a projected as a long range shooter who the Nets intend to keep in Europe for next season. Allen’s contribution is immediately expected.
.@JarrettAllen55 brings consistency to the court. #BrooklynGrit https://t.co/3qNnKfEBWw
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) June 24, 2017
As a side, the Nets picked up salary options on guards Joe Harris and Sean Kilpatrick.
Free Agents Options 1: Restricted Free Agents
Marks and the Nets showed last year the willingness to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. This forces the player’s current team to either match the Nets’ offer or declines it. Once declined, the player becomes a Net. Last summer the Nets agreed to offer sheets with Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson. Both players had their offers matched by the Portland Trailblazers and Miami Heat respectively so there they stayed.
The Nets most likely have the following players on their radar; Otto Porter, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Tim Hardaway Jr.
League sources: Wizards (Otto Porter) & Pistons (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope) bracing for rich Brooklyn interest in their respective RFA studs
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 30, 2017
With over $30 million in salary cap space available, flexibility is something the Nets have in abundance. That alone scares opposing front offices.
Free Agents Options 2: Unrestricted Free Agents
The Nets through shrewd dealings and trade agreements positioned themselves as a potential target for free agents. With the new culture set under Marks and Head Coach Kenny Atkinson, unrestricted free agents find the Brooklyn Nets as a viable option. Though attracting All-NBA talent may prove to be a fool’s errand, Brooklyn is a potential destination for many veterans.
Jeremy Lin, point guard for the Nets, recently told Newsday, he sensed a significant interest in the Nets from free agents he knows, and if anything, that has only increased. “I’ve had multiple conversations, and they are players that are really good players who are interested in coming,” Lin said. “People can tell we play the right way and we try to do things the right way. You can ask anybody, and that’s what everyone is hearing.”
Initial reports linked J.J. Redick and Andre Iguodala as possibilities, however, both appear headed to other destinations. There are many other free agents that Marks have earmarked as his choices.
Option 3: Salary dump type trade
Like the Russell trade, the Nets have the option and flexibility to take on salary. Teams may add an affordable, talented player alongside a player with an expiring contract or a draft pick for the Nets to take. One such situation to look at is talented yet expensive center Greg Monroe of the Milwaukee Bucks. Others include DeMarre Carroll, Terrence Ross, and Solomon Hill.
Free agency is less than 24 hours old and fans are excited. Marks and the Brooklyn Nets continue to seek value where otherwise unseen.
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