Brooklyn Nets: Trevor Booker ‘Comfortable’ With Nets

Oct 6, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward trevor Booker (35) goes up for a dunk against Detroit Pistons during the second half at Barclays Center. The Nets won 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward trevor Booker (35) goes up for a dunk against Detroit Pistons during the second half at Barclays Center. The Nets won 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Signing forward Trevor Booker was one of the key moves of the offseason for the Brooklyn Nets. Booker figures to play a big role with his new team. Recently, Booker spoke about joining the Nets.

Power forward Trevor Booker is entering his seventh NBA season. Booker, drafted by the Washington Wizards in 2010, is now on his third team with the Brooklyn Nets. Before joining the Nets, Booker had a two-year stint with the up-and-coming Utah Jazz.

Booker was a free agent this past offseason, and the Nets immediately showed serious interest. Ultimately, Brooklyn signed Booker to a two-year deal, reportedly worth $18.3 million.

Recently, Booker spoke to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders regarding his decision to join the Nets.

When asked about the process of free agency, Booker said, “Brooklyn was one of the team’s pursuing me from the beginning and I knew [Nets general manager] Sean Marks because we had a short stint together in Washington when he was still playing. I know what kind of a guy [Marks] is and what kind of organization he came from with the Spurs, which is an A-1 organization. Coach [Kenny] Atkinson came from a great organization in Atlanta, too. After doing a little research on him, I was comfortable with him and comfortable with the whole situation. I bought into what they are doing.”

More from Nothin' But Nets

Although some national predictions have not been kind to the Nets for 2016-17, Booker said the Nets’ main focus is just to go out and compete each night. “We don’t have any superstars on the team, but I do think we have some solid pieces who will go out every night and compete. We’re not going to set a goal of going out and competing for a championship, but we’re going to compete, play hard, and measure our success based on how we improve over the course of the season.”

Booker’s comments echo that of Marks’ comments from earlier in the offseason. Brooklyn’s general manager said the Nets will prioritize progress over wins and losses this season.

Booker, and the Nets as a team, have an optimistic outlook on the roster, despite the fact that, in Booker’s words, they “don’t have any superstars.” Nevertheless, Booker does like the structure of the roster. “We have some nice veterans mixed with some nice young talent. But everybody is going to work hard. And another main thing is having high-character guys. That’s what we have.”

Like Nets fans everywhere, Booker is also excited about Jeremy Lin. “Jeremy is a tremendous player. He’s had his up’s and down’s, which we all do. But the Jeremy I saw last year probably had his best NBA season yet, and I’m looking forward to him just building off of that. [Lin can] come in, be a leader as a point guard and be very vocal to build off what he did last year.”

Next: Isaiah Whitehead Making Slow Progress

The Nets are seemingly still deciding who will start at power forward, Booker or Luis Scola. However, either way, Booker figures to play plenty of meaningful minutes for Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn Nets targeted high-character, hard-working veterans this offseason, and Booker fit the bill perfectly. Booker and the Nets seem like a great match, and the Nets are excited about what he will bring to the front court this year.