Brooklyn Nets Should Puruse Dion Waiters

After missing out on shooting guards Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson, the Brooklyn Nets should pursue unrestricted free agent guard Dion Waiters.

According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Oklahoma City Thunder have rescinded their qualifying offer to shooting guardDion Waiters:

He’s the perfect piece for the Brooklyn Nets’ rebuilding project.

The Nets tried to acquire shooting guardsAllen CrabbeandTyler Johnson, but the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat matched the Nets’ four-year, $75 million and four-year, $50 million offers.

More fromEmpire Writes Back

• Caesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!
• Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
• Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!
• PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
• Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!

At the moment, the Nets have second-year proRondae Hollis-Jeffersonat shooting guard viaESPN’s depth chart.

Due to his 6’7”, 220-pound stature, athleticism, tenacious defense and limited scoring abilities, he’s better suited at small forward overBojan Bogdanovic.

If the Nets pursue Waiters as aggressively as Crabbe and Johnson, he’s likely to pack his bags for Brooklyn. He can start at the 2-guard position with Hollis-Jefferson shifting over to the 3-spot. Bogdanovic would become the sixth man off the bench.

During the previous postseason, opponents’ shooting percentages dropped nearly 11 percent with Waiters on defense,per NBA.com. He sustained his optimal on-ball and perimeter defense throughout the playoffs as a two-way player off the bench.

With more minutes on a Nets’ roster stripped of top-notch talent, Waiters has enough talent to blossom into a solid starter. It’s not an ideal situation to match him withJeremy Linat point guard, but what’s the current alternative?

As mentioned, Hollis-Jefferson’s limited scoring ability would deny Lin easy assists off the dribble. As a spot-up shooter, Bogdanovic doesn’t offer much on the defensive end. Since his Cleveland Cavalier days, Waiters has aspired to take on a larger role in a starting position. With Brooklyn, he’ll find a clear-cut opportunity.

The Nets would likely compete with the Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings for Waiters, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin:

Before the Thunder rescinded Waiters’ offer,Sacramento Beereporter Jason Jones reported the shooting guard’s interest in joining the Sacramento Kings:

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Kings have placed small forwardRudy Gayon the trade block:

In the most likely scenario, Waiters and the Kings will re-visit talks and come to an agreement. Despite interest from his hometown Sixers, previous contract negotiations subsided with a few obstacles, perPhiladelphia Inquirerreporter Keith Pompey.

If Waiters slips past the Kings and 76ers, the Nets could step in as the third option on his list of destinations.

The Thunder could still re-sign him to a long-term deal. However, with all the uncertainty surrounding guardRussell Westbrook, the team needs as much cap flexibility as possible.

Add us as a preferred source onGoogle

Follow