Brooklyn Nets: 3 blueprints to return to NBA relevance

Mar 14, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) celebrates with Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Caris LeVert (22) and Brooklyn Nets point guard Isaiah Whitehead (15) after a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) celebrates with Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Caris LeVert (22) and Brooklyn Nets point guard Isaiah Whitehead (15) after a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 6, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) is guarded by Orlando Magic shooting guard Jodie Meeks (20) and Orlando Magic shooting guard Mario Hezonja (8) at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Griffith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) is guarded by Orlando Magic shooting guard Jodie Meeks (20) and Orlando Magic shooting guard Mario Hezonja (8) at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Griffith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Verdict

Out of the three options, I’m going to go with the free agency route (and of course, my suggested target) as the best way for the Brooklyn Nets to gain their new face of the franchise.

Brook Lopez is a pro’s pro, and deserves to be on a competitive team for once in his career. (No, the KG-Paul Pierce days do not count.) Maybe if the Nets sign Porter they’ll trade Lopez to get a real supporting cast.

Then you could have a starting lineup like this: Lin-LeVert-Porter-RHJ-whoever the Nets pick up in this hypothetical deal, preferably a big; maybe Lopez’s brother Robin (don’t laugh).

Not a bad lineup, huh? Suddenly the Nets are filled with athletes with long wingspans to pester opposing players and that have the ability to switch defensively. There’d be spacing, Atkinson is a genius…this needs to happen.

While it’s fun to play with the Trade Machine, the Nets don’t have a lot to work with; which is why they’re stuck with picking late in the first round and hoping free agency goes okay. Even as a Celtics fan, I hope they get back to relevancy soon.

Must Read: NBA Free Agency: Four Potential Landing Spots For Dwyane Wade

Let me know what you all think about the ways I went about answering this question, and/or if you think I should have mentioned or done something differently.