According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Brooklyn Nets are interested in free agent shooting guard J.J. Redick. Could his veteran leadership and sharp-shooting beyond the arc be worth a look despite the high asking price?
While surrendering their 2017 first round pick to the Boston Celtics this year was not breaking news, the Brooklyn Nets watched the ping pong balls fall in favor of the club holding the best odds at getting the No. 1 overall pick.
While the Celtics are likely to get out-matched by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, having the choice of either Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball and others will certainly have general manager Danny Ainge thinking about what to do with the pick. Trade it? Draft one of the top prospects in a deep draft, hoping you have yourself a superstar for the next 10-plus seasons?
The options are certainly there for the Celtics, controlling a Nets asset general manager Sean Marks desperately needs.
But, the savvy, young general manager has a lot of options this summer, utilizing a projected $30 million in cap space, a solid free agent class, and two late first round picks to make something of a roster that carried an NBA-worst 20-62 record this season.
One potential option? Los Angeles Clippers free agent shooting guard J.J. Redick.
While the name is splashy, a Duke star and three-point maestro like J.J. Redick is looking for one last payday before winding down his NBA career.
In a recent podcast immediately after the NBA Draft Lottery, The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski sat down with colleague Chris Mannix and mentioned the former Duke product may be on a few teams’ radars:
"“Brooklyn, the Knicks are teams that have interest in Redick. We’ll see how far they’re willing to pay.”"
Wojnarowski continued, however, to state that the Philadelphia 76ers may be the most incentivized to look for a veteran shooting guard after attempting to pry Manu Ginobili away from the San Antonio Spurs last summer.
"“Redick is a guy who, at least in the short-term, who gives them a guy who comes in and starts to space the floor a little bit and gives them the reason why they wanted Manu Ginobili last year – they wanted Manu to come in and be a mentor, be a veteran.”"
Whether it means anything or not, Redick recently purchased a $4 million condo in one of Brooklyn’s most expensive neighborhoods, DUMBO. It’s, of course, an indication Redick does spend some time in the New York City area, but perhaps not a primary or worthy reason to join a team.
"“He impacts a locker room and I do think for Brooklyn, for New York, for Philadelphia, that’s a big part of the appeal for Redick,” Woj noted."
The real question, however, comes down to money and length of any potential deal Redick is seeking. In a previous podcast with Chris Mannix, both him and Wojnarowski stated Redick’s asking price is in the $18-20 million range, something that would potentially eat up two-thirds of Brooklyn’s cap space.
Is it worth it? Perhaps.
The real indicator, for many, is maintaining flexibility beyond a two-year window. If, in fact, the Nets can pull off a two-year, $36 million deal with Redick, it may then be worth having the 32-year-old (turning 33 on Jun. 24) in the backcourt next to point guard Jeremy Lin.
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While Sean Marks has always stated a systematic, patient approach to building the Nets, bringing in Redick on a somewhat reasonable deal may be a stepping stone in continuing to redefine the culture, playing style and overall aura of the Brooklyn Nets franchise.