Brooklyn Nets rumors: Mario Hezonja on free-agent radar

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BROOKLYN, NY – JANUARY 1, 2018: Mario Hezonja #8 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on January 1, 2018 at Barclays 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

NBA free agency season is right around the corner and the pressure to sign free agent is rising. Most of the Brooklyn Nets rumors circulate the hunt for a big man, but there is also reported interest in Orlando Magic wing Mario Hezonja.

The Brooklyn Nets have struggled to find an athletic big since the departure of Brook Lopez. Can they land one this off-season? Brooklyn Nets rumors have been swirling over interest in signing a big man.

On Wednesday, Stephen A. Smith of ESPN talked about how Brooklyn could go after restricted free agent bigs Julius Randle and Clint Capela.

These two big men will have high value this summer. There is a very small chance Brooklyn will land one of these players due to its limited cap space — the Nets will have roughly $8.3 million available under the cap as things currently stand.

Stephen A. Smith speculates that Nets might offer big money to Clint Capela or Julius Randle. Nets don’t (yet) have cap space to make big offer and team officials believe they may have next Capela in @_bigjayy_. And as Stephen A notes, Lakers CAN match on Randle. Would they? https://t.co/WCPQDccb15
— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) June 27, 2018

Restricted Free Agent Interest

Brooklyn is no stranger to signing restricted free agents over the past three seasons. General manager Sean Marks signed restricted free agents Otto Porter and Tyler Johnson to offer sheets, but had those offers matched by the Washington Wizards and Miami Heat, respectively.

Last offseason, the Nets landed Allen Crabbe after the Portland Trail Blazers decided not to match Brooklyn’s large offer sheet. Crabbe had a good first season with the Nets, but his play does not match up to his expensive contract.

The Nets also have interest in pursuing Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon. Like Capela and Randle, Gordon will be a high-value free agent this summer who can be expecting a large contract. This means signing Gordon is not likely.

According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, Brooklyn also has its on Gordon’s wing teammate, Mario Hezonja.

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