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Free Agency 2018 can be the Summer of the Nets

By Kunal Kohli

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 26: Sean Marks, GM of the Brooklyn Nets, introduces D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov during a press conference on June 26, 2017 at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 26: Sean Marks, GM of the Brooklyn Nets, introduces D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov during a press conference on June 26, 2017 at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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While the Brooklyn Nets have not made a huge splash in free agency this year, next year could be a whole other story. Although it is a year away, the Nets could be a major player in the 2018 free agency period. 

This offseason of salary dumps and asset acquisitions can turn into next season’s summer of spending. While the Nets have been busy trading for pieces to build around while also absorbing some awful contracts (looking at you, Timofey Mozgov), they have maintained some salary cap flexibility. This is key heading into next year’s free agency.

An expanding salary cap, along with Trevor Booker’s $11 million contract expiring, gives the Nets room to offer a max contract. With names like Chris Paul, DeMarcus Cousins and Paul George in the mix, expect the Nets to send offers.

However these offers are meaningless unless Brooklyn turns itself into a destination team. And that’s exactly what the Nets have been doing. So far, they have acquired the guard of the future in D’Angelo Russell, a very solid 3-and-D guy in Demarre Carroll and a pretty good prospect at center in Jarrett Allen. Not to mention, the Nets have draft picks in the 2018 draft. They will finally get to own their first round draft pick in 2019.

So a veteran looking to build something for the future — a la Jamal Crawford — could very well be in the mix for Brooklyn. As for star power, the Nets could make a play for a big man that is disgruntled. Possible candidates are DeAndre Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge.

One of the biggest things helping out the Nets is Brook Lopez. The former face of the franchise is now on the Lakers, a team with tons of visibility. This might sound weird, but players talk to each other. Lopez was well liked in the organization and the feeling was mutual. It is possible that Lopez could talk to a free agent looking at the Nets into signing.

Brooklyn even has a chance to really improve its three-point shooting. With players like Robert Covington, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Avery Bradley all free agents, the Nets could forgo a star and look for key pieces. Not going star hunting in a star-studded free agency would prove that Sean Marks is looking pieces that fit.

Next: Is Milton Doyle a part of the Nets' future?

While there are a lot of hypothetical scenarios, one thing is clear: the Nets need to own 2018’s free agency. They have the cap room flexibility to make runs for max contract players but can also get scheme players. With a lot of options on the table, summer 2018 should be the summer of the Nets.