The Brooklyn Nets were always going to be one of the most intriguing teams of this summer. Armed with two max salary slots in free agency and coming off a season in which they earned the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Nets were sure to draw some interest from some of the top free agents in the game.
Not only did the Nets manage to snag two max players, but they also signed two of the premier talents in the game in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant while managing to clear enough cap to acquire DeAndre Jordan. Sure, Brooklyn had to part ways with budding star D'Angelo Russell, but it seemed like a small price to pay given the star power that they got in return.
That said, Durant will miss the entirety of the 2019-20 season, and while the Nets still project as a playoff team in a weaker Eastern Conference, there are a number of remaining free agents that they should consider as they look to make up ground on teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers.
Here are three late free agency targets that the Brooklyn Nets should consider.
3. Thabo Sefolosha
Sefolosha hardly puts up gaudy numbers–he averaged just 3.8 points per game with the Utah Jazz last season–and he has had some durability issues at the tail end of his career. Still, he might fit in perfectly with Brooklyn's identity will filling a vital need.
The Nets have a sturdy interior with Jordan and Jarrett Allen looking like twin anchors to lock down the paint. But they lack dependable wing defenders that compete and can make plays on that side of the ball.
Sefolosha has repeatedly proven that he is one of the better wing defenders in the game, and last season he averaged 2.5 steals per-36 minutes. In fact, he has averaged at least 2.2 steals per-36 minutes in each of the last three seasons.
Aside from having the ability to guard at a high level, Sefolosha fits the mold in terms of being a capable outside shooter. He shot close to 44 percent from beyond the arc last season, and is the kind of spot-up shooter that the Irving would relish as an offensive playmaker.
With guys like Joe Harris and Sefolosha both available on the wing, the Nets would have shooters and depth at their disposal.
2. Jonathon Simmons
Simmons was one of the most sought-after talents to hit the market after he showed plenty of potential with the San Antonio Spurs in his first two seasons in the league. But after a successful first year with the Orlando Magic, Simmons was traded at the February deadline as he took a massive step back.
Still, for a team that is really just waiting for Durant to come back, why not sign Simmons to a “prove it” deal given his upside? He has tremendous athleticism on the wing, and could benefit from all of the floor spacing in Brooklyn.
Simmons has been a shell of the defender that he was with the Spurs, but there is reason to believe that he can return to being a solid on-ball defender, especially given his physical characteristics.
As is the case with Sefolosha, the Nets need wing players who can guard multiple positions at a high level and add some playmaking off the bench. They could likely sign Simmons to a cheap, one-year deal.
Even if it does not work out, they will have Durant back next season.
1. Kenneth Faried
One of the most confusing aspects of Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni's playoff strategy was how infrequently he utilized Kenneth Faried.
After the Rockets signed Faried in January, he looked like yet another fantastic find in the treasure chest for general manager Daryl Morey. Faried averaged 12.9 points and 8.2 rebounds on just under 25 minutes per game for the Rockets. But in the playoffs, Faried played in just six games and saw under 10 minutes per contest.
With the Rockets severely strapped for cash, the Nets should pounce at a chance to sign Faried. Aside from Jordan and Allen, the Nets have a real shortage of frontcourt depth.
Brooklyn will undoubtedly want to give rookie forward Nicolas Claxton minutes or even play around with a small-ball look, but Faried would still be an excellent acquisition as an undersized forward who would fit the small-ball style while also mentoring someone like Claxton.
Faried had a net rating of +17 per 100 possessions last season, according to Basketball-Reference. He can score inside and provide rebounding… how is this guy still a free agent?
The Nets should use the remaining luxury cap space that they have to sign Faried.
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