The Brooklyn Nets have a lot of decisions to make in the offseason regarding expiring and cap-killing contracts currently sitting on their pay roll. The Nets continue to try and rebuild their roster with little money and no draft picks which is causing general manager Billy King to get creative in the moves he makes. In his exit interview, King made it clear that he wants certain players back while others will be put instantly on the trade block.
King told the media via ESPN.com that both Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young will be priorities this offseason. Both big men have the chance to test the market and will likely have a lot of interest surrounding them in free agency. Lopez and Young have player options for next year worth $16.7 million and $10 million that they could easily opt into or decide to hit the market for another team. King remains hopeful that because Brooklyn can offer more money than any other team that both players will stay put.
"Internally, the next big step is to keep Brook and Thaddeus here," King said, via ESPN.com. "They both have shown indications they want to be here in their exit interviews, and we want them here, so it's incumbent on us to get that done."
Of course if Young and Lopez return next season other players must be traded. According to Mike Mazzeo of ESPN that both Deron Williams and Joe Johnson will be trade priorities this offseason thanks to their huge contracts. Williams has the worst contract as he is still owed $21 million next year and $22.3 million in a player option in 2016. Johnson is preparing to enter the final year of his deal and will earn $24.9 million. Both of those contracts are not very enticing when it comes to trade deals. The Nets will be forced to either lower their expectations on what they will get in return for either player or get creative in the deals they present.
Head coach Lionel Hollins already came out and said that Williams is not a franchise player anymore thanks to injuries and low stats. The Nets tried to trade the point guard to the Sacramento Kings during the mid-season deadline, but the deal fell through at the last minute. There are plenty of teams looking for a point guard this offseason, but considering all that comes with Williams, interest will be low. The Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets might take a look, but only if the point guard is released.
"We could have done it at the deadline," King said. "A couple of them we could have moved at the deadline, and we chose not to. We're going to explore all options, as we have. Will there be a trade? There could be, but I'm not sure. But we're going to look at every option to get better."
