The Brooklyn Nets are embarking on a full-scale rebuild after trading Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks in exchange for forward Bojan Bogdanovic and as many as five first-round picks. However, as Brooklyn is progressing through this offseason with the goal of further setting themselves up for the future, they still have some important matters to address.
One of those aspects that the Nets have to address is free-agency and since free-agents were able to sign on Sunday, Brooklyn has not signed anyone from outside of the organization. In fact, since the Nets traded Bridges away last week, Brooklyn has re-signed center Nic Claxton to a four-year, $100 million contract and extended a qualifying offer to forward Trendon Watford to make him a restricted free-agent.
As it happens every summer, plenty of players have changed teams or have re-signed with their current teams since the market has changed with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in place. There are still plenty of players that are available and without further ado, here are five players that the Nets can target heading into day 4 (July 3) of free-agency:
PG Tyus Jones (UFA)
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Jones is a prototypical point guard whose main skill is setting up his teammates while taking care of the ball at the same time. For the Washington Wizards this season, Jones averaged 12.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 48.9% from the field and 41.4% from three-point land.
SG Gary Trent Jr. (UFA)
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Trent, 25, is coming off a 2023-24 season in which he averaged 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 42.6% from the field and 39.3% from three-point range. Trent has spent the past 3.5 seasons playing for the Toronto Raptors, but according to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, there is doubt that Trent could be getting the payday that he’s looking for. If that’s the case, then Trent could be someone for the Nets to go after if he’s looking for a change of scenery and more of a role than the Raptors could offer him.
SF Saddiq Bey
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Bey, 25, was ironically drafted by the Nets with the 19th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft before being traded the next day to the Detroit Pistons. In his four seasons in the NBA, Bey has shown that he can be a rugged forward that can provide some spacing and some scoring in a powerful frame. Bey suffered a torn left ACL during this season for the Atlanta Hawks so it’s possible that this could be a signing for next season when he is expected to be healthy.
PF Miles Bridges
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Bridges, 26, is listed as a power forward here, but he can also play small forward due to how versatile of a player he is thanks to his combination of size and athleticism. Bridges is a player that would be a lot more coveted (especially by the Charlotte Hornets) if it wasn’t for his baggage off-the-court. However, if he is unable to get the kind of big-money contract that he is looking for in free-agency, Bridges is someone that could be an interesting buy-low for a Brooklyn team looking for young players to invest in.
C Precious Achiuwa
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Achiuwa, 24, is a player in an interesting situation right now as he could be someone that is more available than he should be if it wasn’t for the New York Knicks trying to keep their payroll as low as possible while maintaining their championship core. Achiuwa is known for being a force on the boards and being able to protect the rim as either a prototypical power forward or a small-ball center. Achiuwa doesn’t do much to stretch the floor, but what he lacks in the shooting department, he makes up for with his effort and strength.
