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Brooklyn Nets: What if Lin and Lopez Leave?

By Omri Benami

Feb 13, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts with team in the second quarter against Memphis Grizzlies at Barclays Center. Grizzles win 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts with team in the second quarter against Memphis Grizzlies at Barclays Center. Grizzles win 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Brooklyn Nets’ two best players, Jeremy Lin and Brook Lopez could both be gone after this season. What would it take to keep them in Brooklyn, and how can the Nets prepare for their potential departure?

In a season of mostly downs for the Brooklyn Nets, two of the major bright spots were Jeremy Lin and Brook Lopez. The latter broke multiple club records, and was surely the team MVP, while the former had his season shortened by injury. Yet critics of the Nets forget that the team actually started well at the beginning of the season, and had Lin been healthy all year, their record would have likely been much better than it turned out to be.

Brook-Lin is a catchy term that sells, but Lopez is an unrestricted free agent after this season and Lin has a player option. That means one if not both players could be playing somewhere else in 2018-2019.

Brook Lopez has spent his entire career with the Nets. One on hand he could like to see this rebuild through and get back to contention with the team that drafted him. On the other hand, he will be 30 years old entering unrestricted free agency and has a history of injuries. That said, with all the trade rumors over the years there will clearly be suitors who are playoff contenders interested in his services.

Jeremy Lin chose Brooklyn in free agency last year, knowing the team was going to have a tough season. He values Kenny Atkinson’s coaching ability from his Knicks tenure, and has already started recruiting players to come to Brooklyn. He also has a guaranteed starting job with the Nets; something he didn’t have with Houston, Charlotte, or the Knicks. An added bonus is to serve as a mentor for younger guards like Isaiah Whitehead and Caris Levert.

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Lopez could easily get a huge contract from a team in need of a scoring big. Lin could also secure an increase from his current deal on the open market. So how can Sean Marks prepare for the possibility that either or both of these players leave the team after this season? Through the draft and free agency.

Marks has long stated that the small forward position is the biggest need on the team, and that will likely be addressed in free agency, barring a major drop of a lottery player on draft night. He could throw money at Milos Teodosic as well. In the draft, the consensus is that the Nets will take at least one front court player. Many of the power forwards in the draft have the length to play center as well, but there are some good centers available where the Nets pick too. They could also draft and stash for a year as well with one of the international prospects.

The second of the Nets picks is more up in the air. This pick will likely be determined by how the draft board falls, but point guard options like Jawun Evans and Frank Jackson are possibilities at #27. Marks could also double dip with another big for front court depth, and draft a guard in the second round.

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The latter option would benefit the rebuild more. It would also provide two shots to hit on a future big, and hedge against Lopez leaving. It also increases the front court talent for young guards Whitehead, Levert, and Dinwiddie. Next year will be a big year for their development and will help determine who can stick on the team long term.

The Brooklyn Nets could look very different after next season. But with the draft picks they have this year to supplement the current young core, and some options in free agency as well, they should be able to weather a potential storm and continue the rebuild. And if either or both of Lopez and Lin buy in and decide to stay, even better.

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