Brooklyn Nets: 3 steps to the perfect 2019 offseason

Step 1: Sign Kawhi Leonard

After missing 71 games in 2017-18, Kawhi Leonard reminded us all that he is arguably the best player on the planet this past year. Leonard carried the Toronto Raptors all the way to their first ever title and after Kevin Durant’s devastating Achilles injury, is the clear-cut top free agent on the market.

Brooklyn will be able to offer Leonard a four-year, $141 million contract this summer. To be able to lock up the best two-way player in the league through 2023 would be the best-case scenario for the Nets in free agency.

With his stellar play this postseason, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Durant’s return date, Leonard will likely be the most sought-after free agent come July. The All-NBA forward will have many suitors vying for his services, namely the Los Angeles Clippers.

It is also possible that Kawhi chooses to re-up north of the border in an attempt to repeat, so this dream move may seem like a long shot.

However, SNY’s Anthony Puccio disagrees and hears that Brooklyn may firmly be in the mix:

Leonard’s level-headed personality would make him an ideal fit to handle the New York media off the court, while on the court, he’s everything the Brooklyn Nets would want.

In his last 76 postseason games, Leonard has averaged 23.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while capturing two NBA Finals MVP awards. He is the playoff warrior the Nets need.

The addition of Kawhi Leonard to Toronto in 2018-19 turned the Raptors from a solid playoff team to NBA champs. KD seemed like the best target only a week ago, but Leonard’s arrival in Brooklyn would catapult the Nets to the top of the league’s pecking order and is just the tip of the iceberg in their dream offseason.