Brooklyn Nets: Grading The Offseason

Apr 1, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) high fives small forward Thaddeus Young (30) after hitting the go-ahead shot against the New York Knicks with two second left during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Nets defeated the Knicks 100-98. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks guard Shane Larkin (0) dribbles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Signing Shane

With limited spending room, the Nets made targeting young players with upside their top priority. By signing third-year point guard Shane Larkin to a two-year, $3 million deal (with a second-year player option), the Nets added a player who will wind up competing with Donald Sloan for backup point guard minutes next season.

Nets were specifically looking for more quickness and athleticism at the point. Shane Larkin definitely provides both of those in spades.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) July 2, 2015

Larkin has struggled to find stability through his first two NBA seasons. He rarely played for the Dallas Mavericks and though he found playing time once he was traded to the New York Knicks, he mostly disappointed in his 22 games as a starter. Larkin averaged 6.2 points and 3.0 assists per game while shooting 43.3 percent from the floor during his time in New York.

Brooklyn needed to round out the roster considering its plans for buying out Deron Williams, and investing such a small amount in a young 23-year-old is one way to do it. Larkin probably needs to establish himself this season for the sake of his career, but he isn’t a lost cause by any means.

Grade: C+

Next: Adding T-Rob

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