FanPost

Brooklyn Nets: Three Offseason Moves That Need To Be Made

6971847934_2642babca2_b.0.jpg

Changes had to be made within the Brooklyn Nets organization after enduring another disappointing season with an unacceptable 21-61 record. Out went Billy King and Lionel Hollins and in came Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson as the team’s new GM and head coach. The rest of the NBA was in agreement that these two men were right for the job.


Marks learned his trade inside the San Antonio Spurs organization, who specialize in identifying European talent that can make an immediate contribution in the NBA. He understands that to rebuild this franchise, they must stay away from acquiring aging superstars and develop their own identity. Brooklyn’s fans are very confident that this blueprint is a pleasant alternative to past failures, and hopefully helps them to become relevant once again in the NBA.


Heading into this offseason, the Nets have only $40.8 million of guaranteed money committed to the projected salary cap of $89 million for next season. This will leave them with plenty of money to spend this summer. The betting odds are high that the Nets will attempt to acquire players that can make a significant contribution both on and off the court, while not mortgaging their future away.


Here are three moves that need to be made:


Sign Jeremy Lin


The Nets need an immediate upgrade to their backcourt, as they lacked production (ranked 29th out of 30 teams in point production last season) from the position. The perfect solution to their dilemma is signing guard Jeremy Lin. Yes; the connection between Atkinson and Lin is an obvious for this recommendation, as the Nets head coach had a huge role in the development of Lin during their time together with the New York Knicks.


This season in Charlotte, he showed the capability to play both at the point and shooting guard position. His ability to attack the rim is very much sought after by other teams who want to convert the free throw attempts into easy points onto the scoreboard. Lin has developed a more consistent outside shot that has gained him significant playing time this year. On a professional level, Lin can return home to the New York City area where the "Linsanity" craze was created.


Trade Robin Lopez


Without an opportunity to infuse young talent on the roster, Marks could revert this current course by trading center Robin Lopez for a combination of young players and multiple draft choices that should accelerate the rebuilding process.


After suffering through several injury-plagued years, Lopez completed his most productive NBA season, which has firmly re-established him as a starting center. The Nets desperately need to acquire more athletic forwards that will improve the team's rebound members and protecting the rim. They need better team defense that helps create turnovers and easy baskets down court.


Improving Bench Production


The one common denominator that occurred throughout the season was the talent gap between the Nets starters and the second unit. Typically, the team would start out playing a competitive first quarter before the bench players would come into the contest and immediately lose the momentum gained. This unit’s poor play put the spotlight on how the Nets aren’t a quality basketball team unless Lopez or forward Thaddus Young was on the court.


You change this perception by signing several key performers that will give Atkinson some roster flexibility and boost the team’s overall talent level. The Nets aren’t in the position to overpay a superstar with a max contract, but they can add bench players that are versatile and can improve the team’s overall defensive play.


The Nets have no incentive to tank next season, as the Boston Celtics own the team’s first round picks in 2016, 17 and 18 as a result of the Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce blockbuster trade. This disastrous move has left the team without a first round selection until 2019. However, the combination of Marks and Atkinson gives Net fans a reason for optimism.


In This FanPost

Teams