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Brooklyn Nets: Was Julius Randle a missed opportunity?

By Chris Milholen

BROOKLYN, NY - FEBRUARY 2: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket against the Brooklyn Nets on February 2, 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)
BROOKLYN, NY - FEBRUARY 2: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket against the Brooklyn Nets on February 2, 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) /
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Rumors started to swirl throughout the week regarding Julius Randle joining the Brooklyn Nets. Well, those rumors will not become a reality. Randle has agreed to a deal to join the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Brooklyn Nets‘ offseason moves have been small and smart. Once free agency was under way, Brooklyn wasted no time.

The Nets quickly agreed with Joe Harris to a two-year deal worth $16 million. Shortly thereafter, Brooklyn came to terms with Portland big man Ed Davis on a one-year $4.4 million deal.

The good thing for Brooklyn is neither of these deals will affect their estimated $8.7 million cap space this offseason. Brooklyn used their early Bird rights on Harris and used a bi-annual exception on Davis.

Since free agency began on July 1, everyone was waiting to see what moves Brooklyn would make. After the signings of Harris and Davis were official, the Julius Randle rumors started to surface.

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Lakers renounced Randle, making him an unrestricted free agent per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

After Randle officially became an unrestricted free agent, Nets fans started to believe the rumors will become a reality. His market value was right in Brooklyn’s ballpark and the Nets need an aggressive frontcourt star.

Well, it did not take long for Woj to drop another free agency bomb and break the hearts of Nets fans. A little more than an hour later, Randle agreed to a deal to play with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Randle will be joining Anthony Davis in New Orleans forming a dominant Western Conference frontcourt. As for the Nets, yes, they missed out on signing the frontcourt star many thought would fit perfect in Brooklyn. But did the Nets miss out on an opportunity?

Missed opportunity?

If the Brooklyn Nets were to successfully bring Randle to Brooklyn, would the Nets become a playoff team? Yes they would have or be very close to one.

According to NetsDaily.com, Randle and D’Angelo Russell were great friends as teammates with the Lakers and had great chemistry. Also Russell, Allen Crabbe and Ed Davis share the same agent with Randle.

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With all that being said, Brooklyn did miss out on an opportunity. The major reason Randle would fit with Brooklyn is his style of play.

The Nets need an athletic versatile big man who can bully the boards and score points. Randle would have been the clear solution and not break the Nets’ bank.

Russell would have been the most happy Net if Randle landed in Brooklyn. They played well together and know each other’s style of play. A reunion would not just make Brooklyn a better team, but make Russell and Randle perform even better.

This was also a good opportunity for Nets general manager Sean Marks to bring a young star to Brooklyn and, even better, for cheap. Randle would fit perfectly with Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson’s small-ball offense and can help lift Brooklyn to a long-awaited playoff appearance.

Well, with Randle officially off the market, what’s next for Brooklyn?

What’s next for Brooklyn Nets?

It looks like the rest of offseason for Brooklyn will be quiet. With free agency rumors quiet after failing to land Randle, Marks may start looking into trading.

Now who Brooklyn is willing to trade has not been publicly announced, but Marks can trade in order to free up more cap space for either this offseason or the 2019 offseason.

In regards to free agent signings, Brooklyn is not expected to make a big splash, but instead quiet additions. Brooklyn should look into pursuing Jabari Parker. Parker has a similar style of play as Randle and the Nets can sign him without breaking the bank.

His market value is around $3 million to $8 million a year. The former Buck is looking to prove himself in the NBA after suffering two season-ending knee injuries. He would be a great frontcourt addition for Brooklyn at the right price.

Too early to look at? The summer of 2019

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    • Now that the Dwight Howard buyout is official, Brooklyn are holding around $45 million to possibly $70 million in cap space next summer. This translates to space for two max contracts for 2019.

    It is not clear how much Brooklyn will get back this season from the buyout of Howard $23.8 million salary for this eason. Brooklyn could be expecting around $3 million to $8 million back, but we will have to wait and see shortly.

    How much money Brooklyn will get back depends on how much Howard is willing to leave on the table. These negotiations can go on until the end of the week.

    The prospect of two max contract spots for 2019 has the Nets and their fans thrilled and anxious. Can Brooklyn land two big stars and rebuild their image?

    They have the money and the New York City market on their side but getting the stars to sign the contract will take some serious negotiations.

    Next: Breaking down Nets Summer League roster

    Notable free agents next summer include Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, and Kemba Walker.