Nothin' But Nets
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NBN Roundtable: New Year’s Resolutions For 2017

By Sandy Mui

May 16, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks introduces new head coach Kenny Atkinson at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks introduces new head coach Kenny Atkinson at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) handles the ball defended by Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) at the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans won 91-87. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) handles the ball defended by Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow (20) at the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans won 91-87. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Malcolm Ireland (@MackyIreland)

Reflecting on 2016

2016 was a rough year for the Nets. They cleaned house by releasing Joe Johnson, trading Thaddeus Young, as well as firing Billy King. All of these people being let go was a sign of Brooklyn looking for an a clean slate. This led to one of the best moves since moving to Brooklyn. They hired Sean Marks as general manager and are invested in head coach Kenny Atkinson.

It finally feels like a true rebuild for the Nets, as they are scouting young talent and allowing the team to go through the growing pains that all rebuilding teams do. Although the Nets do not own their own draft pick until 2019, the future of the team finally has the atmosphere of hope, hope that Marks will be able to right the ship and make the Nets a destination for big-name players for the first time in franchise history. No knows for sure if Marks can pull it off and create the same type of culture that he came from in San Antonio, however, many are optimistic he can do it.

Looking Forward to 2017

In 2017, the Nets are most likely going to be much of the same team towards the end of the current season. Unless the Nets trade for someone that a team is looking to salary dump (possibly Kenneth Faried) or an unbelievable deadline deal, the Nets will be focused on 2017 free agency.

Some of the big name free agents the Nets should pursue include Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, and Serge Ibaka. Out of these names, I think Evans would be a great fit for the Nets. Evans is a 6-foot-6 guard who plays like a point guard. Although Evans has not had a season like his Rookie of the Year campaign, he could see an increase in all his stats if he was the focal point of an offense.

Holiday is another point guard who could possibly be the best point guard for the Nets since Jason Kidd. The problem with both of these players is they have been injury prone over the last couple of seasons. If the Nets took a chance on either of these guys, they could be looking at another Deron Williams situation.

Ibaka is a guy that may be looking to leave the team he is currently on. He could help the Nets with their defense and rebounding problems. Having an athletic power forward to help a slow Brook Lopez protect the rim sounds like a smart move.

The final free agent the Nets should target is Jonathon Simmons. Simmons came on the scene last season, showing off his in-your-face defense. He then found himself a permanent spot on the roster after being in the D-League for quite some time. This season, he has been a streaky player, but he can continue to improve.

The problem is Simmons is already 27. For most players, this is the start of their prime years, so Simmons will most likely reach his full potential in the next few years. He will be a restricted free agent, and it will be hard to take him from the Spurs. The Nets would have to sign him to a contract the Spurs are uncomfortable committing to.

For the Nets, they have plenty of cap room to give restricted free agents huge contracts. We saw them practice this with Tyler Johnson and Allen Crabbe this offseason. The problem is: it would be silly for the Nets to commit a maximum contract to Simmons because he is not worth nearly that much. The Nets would need to hit a sweet spot that is just too much for the Spurs, but not detrimental to their own salary cap. Simmons is an intriguing option, but should not be the Nets’ primary target.