The Brooklyn Game – Page 108 of 654 – Nets Basketball, NBA News & Analysis

Terrence Jones -- Restricted Free Agent The skinny: An oft-injured enigma, Jones at times looks like the embodiment of a modern power forward. Moments later, he looks like an absolute mess. Jones is promising, and he’s young, but he’s coming off an off-year where nearly all his stats dipped. He’s a little undersized, but he’s quick, can hit the boards, and shows glimpses of a three-pointer. Despite the promise, his most memorable NBA moment was the sullen look displayed as James Harden scored a game-winner against the Warriors to extend a playoff series that looked like a certain sweep. For whatever reason, he’s just yet to put it all together. Jones a fit? I think so. I am sure there are some who see much more promise in Jones than they do in McCullough. He has displayed in flashes all the skills you’d want to see around Lopez. He’s also young, and to a rebuilding team like The Nets, that matters. Worthy pursuit? The Nets do not have a need at this position, but Jones is interesting. And while it’s not “Crying Jordan,” there is some serious meme potential in Jones’ “Why’d you have to hit that?” face. It comes down to price. His stock is down at the moment, and a bargain is a bargain, whether you need it or not. If I’m Marks, I’d kick the tires on Jones if league interest wanes. -Ryan Carbain

Nets

Brooklyn Nets Free Agency Primer: Power Forwards

By Ryan Carbain & Zach Fisch

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Nets

Wayne Ellington wins PBWA Citizenship Award

By Devin Kharpertian

Nicolas Batum — Unrestricted Free Agent The skinny: For all the talk of bringing Linsanity back to Brooklyn, the Nets might be better served trying to secure the guy who led Lin's team in assists! That's right: Batum, a 6'8", 27-year-old small forward, led the Hornets with 5.8 assists per game this past season, nearly doubling Lin (3.0) despite playing far more of his minutes off the ball. Batum is a smart, willing passer who often put Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller in positions to score, and is a confident in-control player with three-point range and defensive skills. He was one of just five players to average at least 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists per game — the other four being LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. Batum a fit? In every sense of the word. As Joe Johnson pointed out earlier this week, the Nets lacked playmakers willing to play team basketball. Batum fits the mold of a modern NBA small forward to a T: he creates for others, hits three-pointers, defends multiple positions, doesn't play for stats, and doesn't rely on explosiveness or quickness enough to suggest his game will sharply decline with age. Like Barnes, the biggest question for Batum isn't if he'll fit on the court — it's if he'll price himself out of Brooklyn. Batum could potentially command a max contract in this free agent market, which would mean the Nets would be on the hook to pay Batum a salary over $30 million when he's on the wrong side of 30. Now under Sean Marks, would the Nets want to get Joe Johnson'd again? Worthy pursuit? Yes. Batum is in his prime and is the type of unselfish player that can make teammates better. He might not be worth a max deal, but if the Nets can get him on a big-but-reasonable deal, he'd be a great fit in their starting lineup and a consistent positive on the floor.

Nets

Brooklyn Nets Free Agency Primer: Small Forwards

By Devin Kharpertian

DeMar DeRozan, Player Option The skinny: From Straight Outta Compton to We the North, DeRozan’s star has shone brighter in each year of his career. Now 26 in his seventh season, DeRozan is the leading scorer for the 56-win Toronto Raptors team who pose a legitimate chance of reaching the NBA Finals this year. The 6’7” long and dynamic guard has improved on his shooting every year since being drafted by Toronto in the first round in 2009; his athletic skillset has become a nightmare for opposing defenders and there’s still room for improvement. This season, DeRozan averaged 23.5 points per game and made the All-Star Team for the 2nd time. Consistency, which once eluded him, has become one with him. DeRozan a fit? Joe Johnson showed the value of a competent shooting guard in Brooklyn, and the Nets' big man duo of Thaddeus Young & Brook Lopez are the only consistent scoring threats signed for next season. So yes, DeRozan’s offensive ability entering his prime would be worthy of a max contract if Marks and company see him as a long-term piece. Worthy pursuit? DeRozan has made it very clear his affection for Toronto and his willingness to stay there. Backcourt mate Kyle Lowry has said he believes DeRozan will opt out but only as a business decision, not a plan to leave. The Nets should kick the tires on DeRozan, but only if Marks and Coach Atkinson feel he would be a key building block. Max contracts require thorough deliberations, and they might not want to put all those eggs in DeRozan’s basket.

Nets

Brooklyn Nets Free Agency Primer: Shooting Guards

By Sean Flattery

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Nets

Joe Johnson: Nets had “stat chasing guys that didn’t really want to win”

By Devin Kharpertian

This post is best viewed on a cell phone or tablet. Combine one draft pick (55th overall) and up to $45 million in cap space, and you get a clear understanding of the importance that free agency holds for the Brooklyn Nets this year. Barring a trade, the Nets have just six players under contract for next season, and none of them are point guards. When asked what the team's biggest needs were, starting power forward Thaddeus Young started off with the phrase "a solid PG." So who's available this offseason? We take a look at a few point guards -- not just the very best available -- and see how they'd fit in a Brooklyn uniform.

Nets

Brooklyn Nets Free Agency Primer: Point Guards

By Benny Nadeau

Thaddeus Young Per-Game Statistics: 15.1 PTS, 9.0 REB, 1.8 AST, 1.5 STL, 0.5 BLK, 1.9 TOV, .514 FG%, .233 3PT%, .644 FT%, .518 eFG%, .533 TS%, 17.5 PER In a league increasingly looking for big men who either hit three-pointers or dominate a foot above the rim, Young found his footing by doing neither. An undersize power forward, Young used his under-discussed strength to gobble up rebounds and power-dribble inside for layups, and a surprising touch inside to loft points over jumpy defenders. He's not a strong post defender, but he's smart and quick enough to fit in most any scheme the Nets will throw out next season. Young is hardly an All-Star and didn't put up big games, but he's one of the strong, consistent centerpieces of a team that lacks talent and quality players. Off the court, on a team full of immature prospects trying to learn the way of the league, Young was the grown family man, imparting thoughtful wisdom as often as he did slick floaters in the paint. He's the first Nets player to plant roots in Brooklyn, having moved his family into a waterfront condo. He's on a long-term deal that'll be very valuable as Young plays out his prime. -Devin Kharpertian

Nets

Brooklyn Nets Player Grades, 2015-16 Regular Season

By The Brooklyn Game

Former Nets G Dwayne “Pearl” Washington passes away

Nets

Former Nets G Dwayne “Pearl” Washington passes away

By Devin Kharpertian

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Nets

Brooklyn Nets 2016 Offseason Primer

By Devin Kharpertian

Mike Budenholzer

Nets

Rapid Reactions: The Kenny Atkinson Edition

By Benny Nadeau

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Nets

Brooklyn Nets Hire Kenny Atkinson As Head Coach

By Devin Kharpertian

Tim Walsh, tending to Vince Carter in 2007.

Nets

Report: Nets part ways with Tim Walsh, Gary Sussman

By Benny Nadeau

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Nets

Long Island Nets hire head coach

By Devin Kharpertian

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Nets

Here’s What Nets Players Want In A Head Coach

By Devin Kharpertian

Sean Marks

Nets

Sean Marks’s impact felt in Brooklyn, not a second too late

By Devin Kharpertian

Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry (7) drives past Brooklyn Nets' Donald Sloan (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Nets

Donald Sloan thanks fans, wants to re-sign with Brooklyn

By Benny Nadeau

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