Brooklyn Nets 2019 Offseason Preview
By Erik Slater
Potential free-agent targets
Kyrie Irving (UFA), PG, Boston: Over the last month, reports have surfaced from all over the league that Kyrie Irving wants to be with the Brooklyn Nets. Those reports have gained steam over the last week.
Irving left his long-time agent Jeff Wechsler last week and joined Roc Nation Sports.
The change further fueled Nets speculation as Jay Z, a former Nets minority owner, founded the agency and Michael Yormark, the twin brother of Nets’ head of business operations Brett Yormark, is the president.
Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald reported that Irving is planning on joining the Nets when he hits free agency next month:
"“According to a source with ties to Roc Nation, the organization expected to become Irving’s new representative, the All-Star point guard is prepared to sign with the Brooklyn Nets when he becomes a free agent next month.”."
Irving’s tumultuous season in Boston ended with a second-round exit and many questioning his leadership qualities. The All-Star point guard was criticized midway through the season for calling out teammates in the media.
Despite this, Irving averaged 23.8 points and 6.9 assists per game on 40.1 percent shooting from 3 last season.
When healthy, Irving is among the top point guards in the league. The 27-year-old relies on his tight handle and quickness to blow by defenders and finish at the rim from difficult angles.
Irving’s mid-range game and 3-point shot have steadily improved throughout his career to compliment his driving ability. The point guard consistently creates his own shot using a solid floater and turnaround game in the mid-range along with a confident pull-up three-point shot.
Irving is a blockbuster talent that would not only help the team on the floor but also fill the seats. It appears that Brooklyn is where Irving wants to be and the point guard may be bringing another star along with him.
D’Angelo Russell (RFA), PG, Brooklyn: D’Angelo Russell will be the toughest decision Nets general manager Sean Marks will make this offseason.
In his first healthy season with Brooklyn, the 23-year-old rose to a new level, carrying the Nets to the playoffs and earning his first All-Star selection.
The point guard averaged 21.1 points and 7.0 assists per game on career-high 36.9 percent shooting from 3. Russell excelled in Brooklyn’s fast-paced, pick-and-roll oriented system with an improved 3-point shot.
Russell initiated the second-most pick-and-roll plays in the league this season and consistently made the right decisions in those sets. He attempted the fifth-most pull-up 3s in the league, converting on 36 percent of them.
Most importantly, Russell improved immensely in the clutch last season. He nearly doubled his field goal percentage in the final five minutes of games within five points, increasing it from 25.9 percent to 49.3 percent.
The floor general led several fourth-quarter comebacks, staying composed and finding his shot within the offense.
Despite this breakout season, Irving’s interest in Brooklyn leads many to believe that Russell will be in another uniform next season. It had been reported that the Nets would not shy away from an Irving-Russell pairing, but many around the league question the fit and think it is highly unlikely.
Brooklyn’s front office may already have their second star in mind to pair with Irving and could think Russell’s ceiling is limited by his struggles getting to the basket and the foul line.
If Irving signs with the Nets, Russell will likely be on his way out, but either way the 23-year-old put himself in position to cash in on his development throughout his time in Brooklyn.
Kevin Durant (Player Option), PF, Golden State: Leading up to this offseason, the question around the league has been where will Kevin Durant play out what will likely be his final major contract?
Durant was every team’s top free agent target and after suffering a ruptured Achilles in Game 5 of the NBA Finals not much has changed.
Many around the league believe teams will still offer the superstar a four-year contract despite him being unavailable in the first year, a testament to the type of generational talent he is.
The forward has a player option with Golden State for $31.5 million, but the expectation is that he will opt out and hit free agency.
With Durant missing all of next season at 31 years old, there’s no guarantee he will ever be the same player.
However, even if Durant loses a step, he is still an elite talent that can completely transform a team. His ability to shoot over almost all defenders will not be affected by the injury, making him among the top options in the league as an ultra-talented stretch four.
The belief has been that Durant was destined to team up with Irving and bring the Knicks back to relevance. However, reports have surfaced that Irving had been recruiting Durant to the Nets prior to his injury.
Irving’s stance appears to not have changed and you have to question whether Durant would go to New York on his own, especially coming off a serious injury. The forward was likely Brooklyn’s primary option to pair alongside Irving and that will not change
Kawhi Leonard (Player Option), SF, Toronto: What a season it was for Kawhi Leonard. Following an ugly ending in San Antonio and many questioning his abilities as a player, Leonard proved himself to be a top-five talent in the league, bringing Toronto it’s first ever championship.
The finals MVP averaged 26.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game on 37.1 percent shooting from 3 on his way to the title. Leonard’s postseason run will be remembered as one of the top playoff performances in NBA history.
Leonard is an elite two-way wing with great size and versatility, the type of player coaches dream about in today’s NBA. At 6-foot-7, he can guard any position on the floor using his quick feet, ridiculous 7-foot-3 wingspan, and enormous hands.
This was evident in the Eastern Conference Finals as Leonard shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo and brought the Raptors back from a 2-0 deficit.
Offensively, Leonard has worked to develop his outside shot to an elite level. The eight-year veteran has developed one of the most consistent pull-up jumpers in the league to compliment his strength and driving ability.
Leonard has proven that he can perform at the highest level on the biggest stage. A Brooklyn pairing of Irving and Leonard would propel the Nets into finals contention as early as next season.
The Clippers and Raptors appear to be the favorites to land Leonard, but Marks will likely get a meeting with the NBA champion and have the opportunity to sell him on his vision.
Tobias Harris (UFA), PF, Philadelphia: Tobias Harris has been a rumored Brooklyn target since the beginning of the season. The 26-year-old was acquired by Philadelphia midway through the year and had a solid season, averaging 20.0 points and 7.9 rebounds on 39.7 percent shooting from 3.
Peter Vecsey, a former New York Post columnist, reported around the trade deadline that “the Nets intently covet” Harris in free agency this summer.
The forward would be a terrific fit in head coach Kenny Atkinson’s pace-and-space offense as a stretch four who can shoot off the move and penetrate in the pick-and-roll.
Harris has the ability to elevate and knock down contested shots or blow by defenders on closeouts and finish at the rim.
While Harris is a great fit in Brooklyn, there are questions about whether he is worth max money. Defensively, he leaves plenty to be desired and he often took a backseat in Philadephia.
The forward is likely to receive plenty of interest on the open market and will likely draw at least one max offer.
While there are concerns about overpaying Harris, the forward may benefit from being a primary option alongside a talented guard like Irving. While he is likely not the top option to pair with Irving, Harris could be a solid fallback plan if the Nets strike out on the likes of Durant and Leonard.
Jimmy Butler (UFA), SF, Philadelphia: Jimmy Butler could be another fallback plan to pair with Irving. The guard is coming off yet another solid season after forcing his way out of Minnesota, averaging 18.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game on 34.7 percent shooting from 3.
Butler listed Brooklyn as one of three preferred trade destinations before being shipped off to Philadephia. The 29-year-old is also close friends with Irving and there were rumblings last summer that the two wanted to play together in the future.
Butler is a terrific two-way guard who impacts the game in a variety of ways. Offensively, he prefers to operate with the ball in his hands out of the pick and roll. He is a strong finisher towards the rim with the ability to fight through contact.
Butler is an average shooter and one has to question the fit alongside a ball-dominant guard like Irving. He questioned 76ers head coach Brett Brown midway through the season, expressing his unhappiness with his lack of involvement in the offense.
Would the wing be happy alongside a guard like Irving who has the ball in his hands for the majority of the game?
Brooklyn could try to make it work, but Irving may be better suited alongside a sharpshooter who can penetrate in the right spots. With Butler turning 30 in September, he is a risky candidate to receive a max contract alongside Irving.
The guard can also get his biggest contract staying in Philadelphia and it has been reported that the 76ers have every intention of offering it to him. Butler is an option for Brooklyn, but don’t expect him to get the first look.