The Brooklyn Nets have had themselves a fantastic offseason heading into the 2016-2017 NBA season. They have not had a fantastic summer in the sense of landing any big name free agents, but with a team in desperate need of a rebuild, the Nets have begun the process of rebuilding in the best way the organization could. With new rule in Brooklyn as Sean Marks took over for Billy King at General Manager and Kenny Atkinson replacing Lionel Hollins and interim head coach Tony Brown as the new head coach, the Nets have found the right leadership to restore Brooklyn from the depths of the Eastern Conference.
Going into the offseason the Nets held only a second round draft pick. Unsatisfied with that, they made a major but also necessary move. Brooklyn traded away their second best player in Thaddeus Young to the Indiana Pacers for their first round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and a future second round pick. Young averaged 15.1 points and nine rebounds per game last season with Brooklyn. Marks swung for the fences when using that first round pick, selecting Michigan swingman Caris LeVert. The former Michigan wing had dealt with nagging injuries in his final season as a Wolverine. In his senior year at Michigan he only appeared in 15 games, but the games he played in are what made him the necessary risk for the Nets. He averaged 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. He also shot an efficient 44.6% from the three-point line. LeVert possesses great versatility, as he can play shooting guard, small forward, and even some point guard.
The second round pick that the Nets entered the offseason with did not remain with them. They moved that pick to the Utah Jazz, along with cash, in order to move up in the second round. With the 42nd pick the Nets drafted combo guard Isaiah Whitehead out of Seton Hall. He averaged 18.2 points and 5.1 assists per game in his sophomore season at Seton Hall. Whitehead was the first point guard added to the Nets roster this offseason, and the only one on the roster before free agency began.
Entering free agency, GM Sean Marks began to make his most impressive moves. He inked point guard Jeremy Lin to a three-year contract. Lin, who had a fantastic bounce back season with the Charlotte Hornets last year, averaged 11.7 points and three assists per game. Lin also played under Kenny Atkinson back during Lin’s legendary “Linsanity” run, as Atkinson was an assistant coach on that New York Knicks team. Marks was able to add Lin on a very cheap deal, as his three-year contract is worth $36 million. Lin should be the starting point guard next season, as he looks to reach his full potential in Brooklyn.
Marks and the rest of the Nets front office continued to make smart and economically friendly signings. He then inked power forward Trevor Booker to a two-year deal worth $18.5 million. Spending last season with the Utah Jazz, Booker averaged 5.9 points and 5.7 rebounds in under 20 minutes per game. Next season could be a big one for Booker, as he could become the forward to replace Thaddeus Young in the starting lineup. Even if Booker does not start for the Nets, he will be a huge help for them off the bench, as the Nets ranked 23rd in bench scoring per game last season. The best part about the Nets signing Booker is the cheap contract he signed for. Booker, like Lin, could be ready to maximize his potential in his career while playing the Brooklyn Nets.
The Nets also signed backup guards Greivis Vasquez and Randy Foye. Both will bring quality veteran experience to Brooklyn. Vasquez is the more impressive signing for the Nets, although he spent most of last season injured with the Milwaukee Bucks. He did however averaged 9.5 points and 3.7 assists per game with the Toronto Raptors in the 2014-2015 season.
Brooklyn was also able to add another veteran player by signing Luis Scola to a one-year deal. He played for the Toronto Raptors last season, averaging 8.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Last season, at 35, Scola unlocked a new weapon in his game. He began to regularly use the three-point shot. Averaging about two attempts per game, he shot 40.4% from deep. That ability will certainly help the Nets improve, as Brooklyn was 13th in the league last season for best three-point shooting percentage.
Concluding the Nets offseason, they have signed multiple young players who will battle it out for a final spot on Brooklyn’s roster. The Nets signed former Indiana point guard Yogi Ferrell, North Florida sharpshooter Beau Beech, former Cleveland Cavaliers draftees Joe Harris and Anthony Bennett, and centers Justin Hamilton and Egidijus Mockevicius.
Brooklyn’s star player, Brook Lopez has been happy with the Nets offseason as well. He believes, like most, that the Brooklyn Nets are headed in the right direction after some poor management in recent years.
With limited draft picks down the line Sean Marks was able to have a successful offseason. He added a slew of young talent with potential, while bringing in smart veteran presence that should help the young talent on the Nets roster progress and develop.
The Nets have added young pieces such as Caris Levert, Isaiah Whitehead, and Yogi Ferrell to their growing core that already includes Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Chris McCullough, and Sean Kilpatrick.
While the Brooklyn Nets are nowhere near a playoff team, they have begun establishing a core for the future. Along with their young core the Nets also have a solid group of veterans including Jeremy Lin, Trevor Booker, and Brook Lopez. A playoff team no, but the Nets are on their way to rebuilding their franchise and returning to basketball relevancy.
