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NBA Rumors: Jeremy Lin, DeMar DeRozan top Nets' bucket list in free agency

| Jun 19, 2016 10:12 PM EDT

Jeremy Lin

The Brooklyn Nets will be in need of a major overhaul to seriously compete next season, including their backcourt rotation.

The Nets' backcourt could be the team's main concern heading into the offseason as their frontcourt is already secured by the duo of Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young. With only Jarrett Jack, Shane Larkin and Donald Sloan playing at the point guard position, the Nets are expected to pursue a quality floor commander in the market.

According to Lewis Jones of Sports Illustrated's Fansided, one of the free agent point guards the Nets could pursue is Jeremy Lin, who has opted out in the final year of his two-year $4.3 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets.

Lin is fond of Nets new head coach Kenny Atkinson as the two have worked together during the heat of "Linsanity" in New York. Atkinson, who signed with the Nets for a multi-year contract, has created strong ties to Lin during the former's days as player development coach with the Knicks.

"I've kind of been saying it was just a matter of time for him because I know how good he is, I know how much he was there for me in New York," Lin said.

"When you're around him, you kind of understand there's something different about him: his energy, his passion, the juice he approaches his work with."

Lin would be the Nets' top option at the point guard spot and would be an effective player to run pick-and-rolls and push the pace of Atkinson's offense.

Meanwhile, According to SB Nation's Anthony Puccio, another potential backcourt target for the Nets could be DeMar DeRozan, who is also set to explore free agency after declining his player option with the Toronto Raptors.  

DeRozan would be a tremendous boost to the Nets not only in the backcourt area, but for the team overall. Despite struggling shooting the ball in the postseason, the All-Star shooting guard is still expected to draw many interests from teams like the Nets.

The Nets will have ample money to sign Lin and DeRozan this summer, with the team having a projected max salary cap space of $38.2 million. While Lin and DeRozan would probably consider contenders, the big market of Brooklyn and the money could be too enticing for the two players to pass on.  

 

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