Heading into the NBA offseason, the Brooklyn Nets were one of only a few teams that had significant cap space to sign marquee free agents – and since there's so few money available, the market doesn't necessitate overpaying for talent unlike the last couple of years.
However, the Nets chose to keep their powder dry, opting for low-key value moves such as inking the Portland Trail Blazers big man Ed Davis to a $4.4 million, one year deal, as well as locking up their promising young prospect in Joe Harris for two years to the tune of $16 million. Coupled with the trade of Timofey Mozgov's remaining two years to the Charlotte Hornets for Dwight Howard's larger (but expiring) contract, it appears the Nets are gearing up for 2019 with names such as Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Jimmy Butler available.
That's not to say the team aren't buyers anymore considering that they still have enough money to lure one more piece, including the Los Angeles Lakers' Julius Randle. And according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, they were interested, but it wasn't meant to be.
Only 23 years old, the forward averaged 16 points, eight rebounds, and two assists last season and fitted their youth movement to the letter. He also happens to be a former teammate of starting point guard, D'Angelo Russell.
Either way, general manager Sean Marks is in prime position to make a big splash next year.
Randle had been the biggest name linked with Brooklyn, and sources had told The Post that the Nets had legitimate interest. But Randle agreeing to a deal with the Pelicans for two years and $18 million — just hours after being renounced by the Lakers — took the big man off Brooklyn’s board.