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Nets: Should Brooklyn exercise Garrett Temple’s club option for next year?

By Thomas Carannante

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 19: Garrett Temple #17 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates a basket against the Toronto Raptors during the third quarter in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 19, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 19: Garrett Temple #17 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates a basket against the Toronto Raptors during the third quarter in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 19, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Nets have a decision to make on Garrett Temple this offseason.

The Bubble Nets are likely coming to an end soon, but we can’t discount what they’ve done. They’ve been without just about every relevant player (besides Joe Harris, who is now gone) and managed to go 5-3 to cap off the regular season and secure the No. 7 seed in the East.

Now, with giant hole to climb out of against the Raptors in their playoff season, it’s perhaps safe for Nets fans to look ahead to next year. Greener pastures await! Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will be leading this squad! Caris LeVert could emerge as the team’s third star if he keeps progressing. Spencer Dinwiddie will be an awesome spark off the bench.

But in seemingly much less important news, what about Garrett Temple?

Forget about his turnover in Game 2 (which may not have really been entirely his fault) — the guy had a career year! In his age-33 season, he averaged 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 62 games. That’s pretty good for a role player. On top of that, he’s serving as a mentor to the young roster Brooklyn brought to Orlando.

Temple’s club option for the 2020-2021 season is $4.76 million. We know the Nets will be looking for another top player to pay and could jettison Temple to free up the cash, but he could be an invaluable piece at the moment in terms of delivering solid playing time off the bench and being a good locker room presence.

If the $4.76 million stands in the way of Brooklyn acquiring another star, then yes, reject Temple’s option and spend the money.

But in all likelihood it won’t, and the Nets would be better off in keeping the veteran around to help with the younger players on the roster and provide continuity after a very uncertain and rollercoaster 2019-2020 season.