The Brooklyn Nets will need to figure out how to plug up some very noticeable holes this offseason without breaking the bank. They will either need to win some close calls on free agents like Nerlens Noel or lean on the recruiting connections of Kevin Durant to beef up this roster.
Durant was not only instrumental in orchestrating the James Harden trade, but his influence helped the Nets find a new small-ball center when Blake Griffin was bought out in Detroit. Durant might need to fire up his LinkedIn account once again to do some more recruiting.
KD accomplished more than most NBA players dream of during his time in Oklahoma City and Golden State, and he did so with a colorful cast of characters that could end up on the Nets in 2021 in order to fill a specific role.
These 3 former Durant teammates, all of whom could be free agents this year, could be sold on Brooklyn’s status as a 2021 title favorite and end up making the trip to Brooklyn.
3 former Kevin Durant teammates the Nets could chase.
3. JaVale McGee, Denver Nuggets
McGee, who played with Durant during his time with the Warriors, already has a proven history of being a solid rebounder and shot-blocker on a team capable of winning a championship. If anyone in the league needs a player with McGee’s exact skill set, it’s Brooklyn.
McGee ended last year with the Denver Nuggets, and while his stint as Nikola Jokic’s backup didn’t exactly blow the doors off of the rest of the NBA, it was apparently impressive enough to warrant a call-up to Team USA.
Sources: JaVale McGee has been selected to join the 12-man Team USA for the Tokyo Olympics.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 16, 2021
JaVale McGee would be a cheap rim protector for the Brooklyn Nets.
Team USA has been a breeding ground for handshake agreements that serve as the forerunner for some wild NBA transactions. If you don’t think that Durant is selling McGee on the promise of coming to Brooklyn, getting a starting role, and competing for yet another championship, you’re being misled.
McGee’s offensive game might not hold much value outside of the paint, and he’ll turn 34 in the middle of next year, but the Nets shouldn’t be worried about that. All they need is for McGee to show up and play the same style that has helped him earn a very long career in this league. He should be cheap, too.