Brooklyn Nets might not have an open space for JJ Redick
By Mike Luciano
The Brooklyn Nets likely won’t be able to spend big money in free agency with all three of their superstars in place, meaning that they will likely need to fill out the back end of their roster with older players trying to secure a championship. JJ Redick certainly fits the bill for Brooklyn in that regard.
Redick spent the last two years with the Pelicans and Mavericks, where he put his 3-point skills to use as a running mate of Zion Williamson and a bench threat that helped Luka Doncic and Dallas make it to the postseason. Even at age 37, Redick will still have a healthy free agent market.
Almost every NBA player wants to both with a championship and play in their hometown, and Redick has a chance to accomplish both of those things if he gets his wish.
Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report is reporting that the Nets and New York Knicks are where Redick wants to end up, with the fact that his family is settled in Brooklyn serving as one of the main reasons he is eyeing a New York team.
Redick comes with plenty of pedigree, but he might not be the best fit for the Nets roster at this moment in time. For a team looking to lean on two of their first-round picks as key reserves this season, adding Redick to the mix might not provide a ton of value.
Knicks, Nets Viewed As Most Likely Landing Spots For JJ Redick | Hoops Wire https://t.co/YZaaqaEAcf
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) August 25, 2021
The Brooklyn Nets might not be the best spot for JJ Redick.
On the surface, Redick could be a solid “end of the bench” player for a Nets team that has always welcomed the idea of ring-chasing veterans looking to get a championship in Brooklyn. If those veterans can provide quality shooting from beyond the arc and veteran leadership, that’s even better.
With the Paul Millsap rumors floating overhead, it’s clear that Brooklyn is still thinking about adding one more experienced bench player, and Redick would certainly fit the bill after the Nets had to part with a guard in Spencer Dinwiddie this offseason. So why wouldn’t Redick be an amazing fit?
LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, Paul Millsap, JJ Redick all could be potential fits over the next few months. Nets are in title contention mode. Don’t dismiss the value on vets on the floor & in the locker room. They have enough developmental pieces.
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) August 21, 2021
Well, Redick isn’t producing like he once did during his Clippers and 76ers days. Last year, the marksman averaged 7.4 points per game (down from 15.3 the year prior) and made 37% of his 3-point shots (down from 45%). When shooting the biggest arrow in his quiver, that’s not the most encouraging sign.
While signing Millsap comes with some questions due to the presence of Nicolas Claxton, at least the Nets would be adding a big man to give themselves even more depth in that area. Redick would be yet another offensive-minded guard added to a team packed to the brim with similar players.
The emergence of Cam Thomas in Summer League play should have given the Nets hope that he could earn some immediate time in the rotation as a backup guard. Stunting his development by signing Redick and forcing Thomas to only get sporadic appearances off of the bench is to the detriment of his style of play.
When that is paired with the fact that a Nets team looking to get stronger on the defensive end will take a step in the wrong direction by adding a liability on that end in Redick, Marks might be better off leaving Redick alone.
Redick is not the player he once was, even if he can still be a valuable bench player in this game. Playing for the Nets might be an opportunity to play close to his family, and the Nets wouldn’t like to see him go to the rival Knicks instead of them, but it might be hard to envision a role where he plays tons of minutes and it positively impacts the win column.
