Brooklyn Nets: Could a Rebuild Be Quicker Than Expected?

Feb 29, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) brings the ball up court against the Brooklyn Nets during an NBA game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Brooklyn Nets are coming off of a 21-win season, with a completely new regime in place. Brooklyn is in the midst of a rebuild, but perhaps it won’t take as long as fans expect.

For the foreseeable future, the Brooklyn Nets will likely endure tough times. The Nets have a roster that could be supplanted with talent, but general manager Sean Marks faces the challenge of finding talent without many draft picks.

For the next two years, as was the case in this year’s draft, the Boston Celtics will own the Nets’ first-round picks. That puts Marks in a tough spot, but the good news is the Nets are flush with cap space.

According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, the Nets have some big plans for using up their cap space. Kennedy reported on Monday that the Nets plan to target veteran free agents, in an effort to accelerate would otherwise been a lengthy rebuild.

Sources: The Brooklyn Nets have formed plan to pursue a number of veteran free agents. It seems Sean Marks doesn't want a long rebuild.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 27, 2016

Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders also reported multiple veterans have been connected to the Nets. Among the players Kyler lists as possibilities are Al Horford, Jamal Crawford, Brandon Jennings, Rajon Rondo, and Jeremy Lin.

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The Nets have to be selective when luring free agents. While they don’t have to worry about cap space, the Nets also don’t have the luxury of having first round picks in the next few years to continue adding young pieces with a mix of veterans. Brooklyn’s most prominent young player to build around is Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and his continued development is critical.

Obviously, the Nets likely won’t make five large signings this offseason. That shouldn’t be expected. But if the Nets can land a player who can create and score on their own when needed, as both Crawford and Jennings have done over their respective careers, that would be beneficial. If Horford elects to leave the Atlanta Hawks, he figures to have many suitors. If he were to choose the Nets, though, that would certainly be quite the coup for Marks.

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Unfortunately for the Nets, a rebuild is required at this point in time. What Marks and the Nets’ braintrust can control, is how they go about executing it. It remains to be seen if the Nets will make a big splash once free agency starts, but it sounds like they will at least take their best shot.

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