The NBA world was stunned by the surprising announcement on Thursday. Nets forward LaMarcus Aldridge announced his abrupt retirement from the game.
Full statement from LaMarcus Aldridge, who has retired after 15 NBA seasons that included seven All-Star appearances and five All-NBA teams: pic.twitter.com/x2st5gsAse
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 15, 2021
First and foremost, thoughts and prayers go out to Aldridge, who left a legacy on the NBA. He was a staple with the Portland Trail Blazers before going to the San Antonio Spurs. He was then bought out and joined the Brooklyn Nets with hopes of an NBA title being added to his resume.
Unfortunately, the talented forward has called it a career.
Three Options for Nets after LaMarcus Aldridge Retires
Well, the loss of Aldridge leaves a hole on this Nets’ roster. Of course, Brooklyn could stay put and not fill the empty roster spot until an injury happens. However, with the rash of injuries that have hit Brooklyn, they are better off filling it.
Reserve guard Chris Chiozza fractured his hand and is out for some time, and James Harden is still nursing his hamstring injury. Kevin Durant is still working his way back slowly from his injury, and Blake Griffin has also missed time.
So, yes, the Nets need to make a move. There aren’t a ton of noteworthy options since the trade deadline passed. The buyout market has seemingly fizzled out as well, so Steve Nash and his crew have very few choices.
Here are a few options for the Nets in an effort to fill Aldridge’s roster spot.
Nets Option #3: Isaiah Thomas, PG
Is this a surprise? Of course, it might seem like a surprise. However, the depth on the Brooklyn bench has taken a hit even before the Aldridge announcement. On Wednesday against Philadelphia, the depth issues were glaring.
Steve Nash used Alize Johnson, Nicolas Claxton, Bruce Brown, and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. That’s the entirety of the bench that he had to turn to, which isn’t exactly sensational. In all honestly, the play of Johnson and Claxton has been surprising. With that being said, the Nets don’t need a big man in replacement of Aldridge.
Aside from Brown, Brooklyn is lacking a scorer off the pine and IT is exactly that. He only appeared in three games for the New Orleans Pelicans and totaled 23 points.
Isaiah Thomas with 8 PTS (3/5 FG, 2/2 3PT) in 9 MINS so far! pic.twitter.com/L7vKyN7Uca
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 7, 2021
Plus, Thomas has playoff experience and can provide them scoring when needed.
Option #2: Kyle Korver, SG
Yes, that Kyle Korver. While he expressed that he didn’t receive an offer he liked, the Nets situation might be intriguing for Korver. He’s full of playoff experience and can shoot the ball better than most in the league right now.
Korver can play the two and the three and would provide Brooklyn with ample scoring off the bench. This might not be the most realistic, but a shot at an NBA title would be enticing for Korver.
Option #1: Quinn Cook, PG
While Brown is really a shooting guard, this team lacks a facilitator off of the bench. Enter Quinn Cook, fresh off a championship run with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He was released by the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this season and snagged by the Cleveland Cavaliers and appeared in seven games. His numbers aren’t flying off the chart, but at this point, the options are bleak.
Cook can play the backup point guard role and has championship experience to bring to this roster.
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