Brooklyn Nets: Evaluating options for pivotal offseason

Option C: Add a quality starter at the 4

The power forward spot was an issue for the Brooklyn Nets all year, with rookie second-rounder Rodions Kurucs manning the spot for much of the second half of the year.

While Kurucs played well and was crucial to the Nets’ midseason turnaround, he was benched come playoff time as the Philadelphia 76ers were able to exploit his inexperience and lack of size.

With Russell, Joe Harris, Allen and LeVert locked into the starting lineup, the 4 spot is the obvious first place to upgrade if the Nets miss out on the big names.

Julius Randle looks set for a bigger payday after a monstrous season for the New Orleans Pelicans where the former Laker averaged 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds a night.

While he figures to command a salary in the $15 million to $20 million range, Randle is a perfect fit for the Nets timeline at just 24 years old. Signing him to a long-term deal would allow him to develop nicely alongside Russell, LeVert and Allen to form a solid core.

The Nets’ lack of size was evident in the series against Philadelphia, as the Sixers managed to overpower the Nets on both the offensive and defensive ends. At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, Randle will give the Nets some much-needed bulk down low.

After a tumultuous season with the Boston Celtics, Marcus Morris is set to enter free agency. Culturally, his fit with the Nets seems perfect. Morris is a hard-working player who gives it his all every time he’s out on the floor.

Additionally, Morris’ defensive and shooting abilities complement his role in the Nets system well. A career 36.0 percent shooter from downtown, Morris connected on 37.5 percent of his triples on over five attempts a game this season.

With playoff experience and a fiery spirit, Morris could be a key role player for this young Brooklyn team.

Al-Farouq Aminu is another name that the Nets may consider for that starting role. A true NBA journeyman, Aminu was a key part in the Portland Trail Blazers’ run to the Western Conference Finals.

While his offensive game leaves much to be desired, Aminu is a premier defender, and has the IQ level to improve the Nets’ defense as a team.

I liked a potential Nikola Mirotic-to-the-Nets deal a lot more before the Eastern Conference Finals, where the stretch 4 was virtually played off the court by the Toronto Raptors, but Mirotic would still be an upgrade over anything the Nets have at the 4 spot right now.

With his long-distance shooting, Mirotic would fit well in Kenny Atkinson’s offensive system.

With at least $28 million to spend this offseason, the Nets will certainly have the space to pay any of these four players while still saving money to upgrade other parts of the roster.