Brooklyn Nets: 5 goals for the 2018 offseason

1. Get the hands dirty in restricted free agency

Those who have followed the Nets these past two summers know all about the Nets’ restricted free agency schemes. They have intentionally overpaid RFAs such as Otto Porter Jr, Allen Crabbe, and Donatas Motiejunas in the past.

Now that the team has shown legitimate promise for the future, it can be selective in this process.

An interesting target is Aaron Gordon, a long forward with the capability to run the offense, come off the ball as a shooter and slasher, and defend all positions. His fit with other long wings like Caris LeVert and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is tantalizing if all three can solidify their 3-point shots.

Just imagine a lineup of Point Caris, Crabbe, DeMarre Carroll, Rondae and Gordon. Now try scoring on it. Sheesh. That epitome of position-less basketball could wreak havoc on the league when skyscraper Jarrett Allen takes a seat.

Another intriguing fit is Julius Randle, a point forward in the body of a modern center. Randle has shown tons of promise running the Los Angeles Lakers‘ offense, allowing coach Luke Walton to deploy shooters around him.

Atkinson can do variations of this as well, as his shooter-heavy attack entices smaller lineups. Randle’s defense and shooting both need work, but his potential as a small-ball 5 around four shooters is both thrilling and tangible.

Brooklyn isn’t exactly a prime free agent destination — yet. For now, they can either pry restricted free agents away from teams unwilling to pay the premium, or force said premium on those teams and compromise their salary cap situations.

Next: Full two-round 2018 NBA Mock Draft

Most of these offseason plans have a “why not?” sentiment to them. In the midst of a rebuild, that’s exactly what the front office should be asking itself.