Thunderous Intentions
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OKC Thunder: One free agent target from every Eastern Conference team

By Tamberlyn Richardson

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 30: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against the New York Knicks in the first half during game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at State Farm Arena on May 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 30: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against the New York Knicks in the first half during game four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at State Farm Arena on May 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
OKC Thunder free agency: Brooklyn Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) : Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

Brooklyn Nets

2021 Free Agents:

  • Bruce Brown (restricted)
  • Chris Chiozza
  • Spencer Dinwiddie
  • Jeff Green
  • Blake Griffin
  • Mike James
  • Tyler Johnson
  • Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
  • Reggie Perry

2021 Draft Picks:

  • Guard, Cameron Thomas (27th)
  • Center, Day’Ron Sharpe (29th)
  • Forward, Kessler Edwards (44th)
  • Guard, Marcus Zegarowski (49th)
  • Forward, RaiQuan Gray (59th)

I suppose it wasn’t surprising that the Nets bought into the draft to help bolster their roster. After all, as I noted in the 2021 mock draft the Nets Big 3 will eat up $120.28 million of Brooklyn’s salary cap in 2021-22 and are all extension eligible.

Not surprisingly, Sean Marks is shopping DeAndre Jordan who has two years and just under $20 million left on his contract. With nine free agents on their roster, the Nets have copious decisions to make and little revenue to retain many (hey- not everyone is willing to play on a veteran minimum deal).

Marks has received praise from yours truly for his prior draft picks and savvy moves in free agency but his choices in this draft were puzzling. Maybe I’m just salty that the Nets got a steal landing Cameron Thomas with the 27th pick (I had him earmarked for the Thunder at 18th). Still, Brooklyn is desperate for defensive help and did little to address that in the draft unless they expect to feature second-round picks predominantly.

Dinwiddie declined his $12.3 million option and is projected to ink a deal in the $18 to $20 million range. The decision for Marks will be whether to try to work a sign and trade for the guard in order to bring back assets instead of losing him for nothing. Bobby Marks projects the Nets luxury tax to be over $50 million and adding just $12 million in salary would double that tax.

While the OKC Thunder are one of the few teams who Brooklyn could do business with a 28-year old guard coming off an ACL injury shouldn’t be at the top of Presti’s offseason checklist. Although John Hollinger suggests there are murmurs it could happen with the Nets sending draft pick as well in exchange for a trade exception.

The more realistic free agent Presti should consider is Bruce Brown. Again, since the Nets can’t afford to match a big offer he’s a logical choice. The problem of course is OKC already has eight guards on the current roster.

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