Nets forward Blake Griffin. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
The Brooklyn Nets ran into bad luck in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. Now they need to take this offseason to shore up the supporting cast for their Big 3.
Adding Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden was supposed to make the Brooklyn Nets a superpower in the Eastern Conference.
Then injury misfortune struck from every possible direction.
With Kyrie Irving absent and James Harden hurting, the Milwaukee Bucks eliminated Brooklyn from the playoffs in a thrilling Game 7.
Disappointment may be high, but there’s no time for wallowing. The team has to use this offseason wisely to set up for next year’s playoffs. Here are three moves they can make to do so.
3. Re-sign Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin looked like a different player with the Nets after lackluster showings for the Detroit Pistons over the last few years. The decision to bring him in looked especially strong when he came up huge in Game 1 against the Bucks.
While he dipped somewhat in the middle of the series, he still came through with double-digit scoring in the final three games. He had 17 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists while playing 40 minutes in Game 7.
If nothing else, Griffin proved he still has something to give a playoff contender. He may be a role player at this stage in his career, but he’s willing to put in that kind of work.
His playoff performance may have made him some extra money in free agency, but the 32-year-old has plenty of incentive to run it back with Brooklyn. The money may be better elsewhere, but the Nets will still give him the best opportunity to chase a ring.