According to one of the best basketball journalists, the Brooklyn Nets are interested in unrestricted free agent JJ Redick.
In a recent podcast, NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski said that the Clippers and multiple Atlantic Division teams have interest in unrestricted free agent JJ Redick. Those Atlantic Division teams include the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets.
Woj did note that the Sixers are most like the team with the most interest, but that the Brooklyn Nets and the Knicks “are teams that have interest in Redick.” Though he did note that money did play a factor for both teams in the big apple, saying “we’ll see how far they’re willing to pay.”
The Nets having interest in Redick seems to be more like GM Sean Marks doing his due diligence more than a highly coveted prospect. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard averaged 15 points per game on 44.5 percent shooting (42.9 three-point percent shooting) for the 2016-2017 season. However, Redick will be 33-years-old next season and with the Nets building for the future, which leaves little room for the aging shooter.
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It seems unlikely Marks would spend half of the available cap space to bring in someone who will most likely play a bench and/or mentor role. On the other hand, Redick recently purchased a home in Brooklyn (according to NetsDaily) and Woj was quoted saying a “big part of the appeal” is how he impacts a locker room.
During the End-Of-Season Press Conference, Marks and HC Kenny Atkinson addressed their team’s 20-win season and their plan for acquiring the top free agents. Atkinson noted that no one on the team was “happy” but they were positive going into the offseason. Marks preached strategy and an open mind.
"“Where we stand, I think it would be silly for us to say we are only going to go after one particular player or one particular position. We know, none of us are happy, and that includes our players winning twenty games. We are going to build on this, continue to build, to continue to get the right caliber players to fit into this group and be strategic along the way,” said Marks."
No one would consider Redick a top-tier free agent at 33-years-old. He owns a career average of just 11.9 points per game. He could be a strategic pick up if he can make an impact in the locker room and help to continue to build the culture in Brooklyn.
"“We got to really evaluate the roster and if you go after one of the top-tier guys, you obviously hope to get him. You hope to get all your targets you go for, but does that really make you better? Does it get you to 30 wins? 35 wins? The objective here is for is us to be in the playoffs,” said Marks."
How many wins could the addition of Redick bring? Would he get the Nets to 30-wins or the playoffs? Probably not. If last year is any indication, the team should be able to continue its upward climb towards contention.
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Signing JJ Reddick would be win-now move for Brooklyn. Reddick will likely be on the decline by the time the team is competitive again. Every team needs shooting though. Any team that signs the former Duke Blue Devil will be getting a player who can flat out score the basketball.
It seems that Sean Marks might want Brooklyn to be that team.