Brooklyn Nets Rumors: Otto Porter Could Be Target in 2017 Free Agency

The 2017 NBA free agent class is filled with superstars as well as solid role players. While the Brooklyn Nets might not land big-name players, targeting middle-tier free agents would be a smart move, and Washington Wizards small forward Otto Porter could be an option.

The Brooklyn Nets ended 2016 on a walloping loss to the Washington Wizards, but that didn’t come without some talk in the town for 2017 free agency.

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According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, Otto Porter could draw interest from the Nets when he turns into a restricted free agent come July.

"Otto Porter, who had 12 points and four boards, is set to be a restricted free agent. The feeling in Washington is the Wizards small forward will be of interest to Nets general manager Sean Marks, who is 0-3 trying to land restricted free agents."

Previously, Marks signed restricted free agents Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson to offer sheets during the 2016 offseason, which failed after Portland and Miami, respectively, matched the contracts. Additionally, Marks went after Donatas Motiejunas in December, which ignited a whole saga after Houston matched, and Motiejunas landed on the New Orleans Pelicans just two days ago. Hence, why the Nets GM is 0-3 in RFAs so far. Maybe his luck will turn when trying to woo Porter to Brooklyn.

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Last season, Porter earned a starting role in Washington, making 73 starts in 75 games. So far this season, he has started in all of the Wizards’ 33 games. The 23-year-old is posting the best numbers of his short career, averaging 14.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

While these are far from “superstar” numbers, Porter will likely be targeted by numerous teams and earn a maximum contract offer from at least one.

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The forward out of Georgetown University would fit the culture Marks is trying to build in Brooklyn. He is still young and shows flashes of potential as a key part of Washington’s core. The Nets currently have an average age of 26.1, which ranks them near the top 10 in youngest NBA teams, according to Basketball Reference.

Since the Nets lack draft picks until 2019, their only hope to build a team comes from signing free agents and dealing players. The latter of the two is an unlikelier option because of Brooklyn’s few tradable assets, making free agency all the more important.

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Nothing is for certain though, and it’ll be difficult for the Nets to make their case to even middle-tier free agents with their lackluster performance this season. We still have to wait six months until free agency talk gets even more heated up.

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