Jeremy Lin, Brooklyn Nets ending the season right, ready to contend next year
Free agents attracted to NY team with late-season surge
Jeremy Lin, Brook Lopez and the Brooklyn Nets have been playing well in the latter part of the 2016-2017 NBA regular season. It’s already a lost cause for the Asian-American guard and company but getting the wins is important for what they want to achieve next season.
The Nets got the upset win over the Atlanta Hawks, 91-82 on Sunday for a rare back-to-back victory this season. This is the Nets second back-to-back win this season after beating the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns last week. They beat the Orlando Magic in their previous game and are 5-3 in their last eight games.
Lopez had another great game on Sunday, scoring 29 points on 12-of-21 field goal shooting. Lin provided nice support with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, per ESPN. The big man and the point guard are considered the veteran leaders for the Nets club.
Lopez has been involved in trade speculations earlier this year but he is still under contract for Brooklyn until next season. If he continues to lead Brooklyn this way, it’s likely that the Nets consider him part of their future. Lin, who was signed last 2016 NBA offseason, is considered part of the core and the starting point guard in Brooklyn in the next few seasons.
Winners of five of their last eight games, this could be the Nets team that shows up next season. They are on their way to the NBA lottery this season but things could be different by the start of next season basing on their late-season play this year.
Unfortunately for the Nets, they owe the Boston Celtics their first round pick this 2017 NBA Draft. This means that Brooklyn can’t add a rookie superstar this offseason although they have other draft picks acquired in previous deals. They have the 24th and 27th overall picks in a draft seen as one of the deepest in recent years.
However, the Nets have the chance to sign a high-priced free agent in the upcoming 2017 offseason. They are currently under the salary cap and can potentially offer two players that max contract in the summer. Except for Brook Lopez, Jeremy Lin and Trevor Booker, all other Nets’ contracts are short-term deals and very cheap.
Gaining the interest of a superstar will be important for the Nets and Brooklyn playing well late in the regular season should help them convince free agents that they can be a good destination this upcoming offseason.
