NBA free agents that the Brooklyn Nets could pursue for home stretch
Coming into the NBA trade deadline, the Brooklyn Nets were considered a title contender thanks to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving as well as having a great start to the season compared to most teams. The Nets showed that they could beat most teams in the league and that they were competitive against the better teams in the Association.
However, while acknowledging those facts, there were still needs that the team needed to fill and still have to fill. For one, Brooklyn was being linked to bigs like John Collins, Naz Reid, and Serge Ibaka because of the teams lack of frontcourt depth behind much-improved center Nic Claxton. In addition, even with Irving, it was still obvious that the team could use a backup point guard capable of running the show in a consistent manner.
Now that the trade deadline has passed, the Nets’ options are only limited to players who are currently free agents. That means that players like Collins and Reid are out of the picture for now. Since their roster needs still exist, we will take a look at some players for Brooklyn to consider in the free agent market:
C - LaMarcus Aldridge
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Aldridge last played in the NBA during the 2021-2022 season for the Nets, but he recently worked out for the Dallas Mavericks. Aldridge, 37, was able to provide some outside shooting and rebounding even at his advanced age. He could be someone that can back up Claxton as well as be a spot-starter if needed.
PG - Eric Bledsoe
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Bledsoe, who last played in the NBA during the 2021-2022 season for the Los Angeles Clippers, is currently playing in the Chinese Basketball Association for the Shanghai Sharks. What Bledsoe could bring to the Nets is his playmaking ability along with being a decent player all-around to couple with his defensive toughness.
C - DeMarcus Cousins
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Cousins, 32, has bounced around the NBA ever since he suffered injuries to his Achilles and ACL. He hasn’t been able to regain the elite form that he had when he was with the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans, but it is possible for him to be a contributor on a playoff team. He brings size, shooting, and has some veteran experience that he can share with the younger Nets.
