Brooklyn Nets: Implications of declining Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s qualifying offer

As of last yesterday, the Brooklyn Nets have declined Rondae-Hollis Jefferson’s qualifying offer. What does this mean for the Nets and their plans this summer?

The Brooklyn Nets have decided to pass up on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, thus freeing up another potential roster slot in preparation for significant offseason acquisitions. As we all know, not many players are guaranteed another contract even if they are the longest-tenured player on the team, as RHJ was.

The versatile 24-year-old forward out of Arizona just finished his fourth NBA season, struggling with injury and rejoining the rotation this year. By next season, RHJ would have likely been the starting power forward if the Nets were unable to sign a top-tier free agent this summer. After the acquisition of Taurean Prince and deciding not to re-sign RHJ, what direction are the Nets headed (at power forward) this offseason?

https://twitter.com/IAmCHAP24/status/1140715043883028483?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1140715043883028483%7Ctwgr%5E393039363b636f6e74726f6c&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.netsdaily.com%2F2019%2F6%2F17%2F18682433%2Fnets-decline-option-on-rondae-hollis-jefferson-making-him-an-unrestricted-free-agent

Gearing up for a busy offseason

Since the starting power forward slot is now up for grabs, the Nets have plenty of free agent options.

Notable free agent forwards includes Julius Randle, Tobias Harris, Thaddeus Young, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotić, Harrison Barnes, Bobby Portis,  and Paul Millsap.

The Nets are reportedly the front-runner for signing Kyrie Irving this summer, which would make a pairing of D’Angelo Russell and Kyrie and interesting one (if Russell is re-signed). Furthermore, if the Nets plan on completely replacing DLo with Irving (which should not be done), then they will have the option to choose from several top-tier free agents to pair with Irving.

With that being said, it doesn’t seem like the Nets will replace DLo with Kyrie but we will see what happens when free agency officially begins.

Final thoughts

Although the Nets can choose to re-sign RHJ during free agency this summer, he will have several teams lined up to try and sign him and has already bid his farewell to Brooklyn via Twitter yesterday.

As a result of this successful season, the Nets have finally become an attractive free agency destination. At least the pressure to acquire a superstar or notable free agent is not as prominent as it is for the New York Knicks this year.

The Nets should be expected to land at least one top-tier free agent this summer to get one step closer to contending in the Eastern Conference.