nba free agency – The Brooklyn Game

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

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

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Nets

Brooklyn Nets 2016 Offseason Primer

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Rapid Reactions: The Kenny Atkinson Edition

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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)

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

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Was this the worst season in Nets history?

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Willie Reed to leave Nets for rest of season with personal reasons

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Nets

The Glue Guys: The Nets Shutdown Brook and Thad

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New York Knicks' Robin Lopez (8) and Brooklyn Nets' Brook Lopez (11) fight for position during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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Nets, Knicks split season series, but which franchise has the brighter future?

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Nets

The Glue Guys with special guest Chris Shearn

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Nets

Report: Joe Johnson will sign with Miami Heat

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Nets

Nets GM Sean Marks on Joe Johnson Buyout (WATCH)

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Nets

Brooklyn Nets Waive Joe Johnson

By Devin Kharpertian

Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) is defended by Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)

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The Nets are inevitable

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