NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason targets for the Brooklyn Nets

2. Joe Ingles

If the Nets bring Ingles to New York City, can we start calling him “Broadway” Joe Ingles? All terrible jokes aside, Ingles would fit well with the Nets and their up-tempo, motion oriented attack. If both Gordon Hayward and George Hill re-sign with the Jazz, retaining Ingles would push them close to the luxury tax unless they parted ways with Joe Johnson or Alec Burks. The Nets could entice Ingles to leave Utah by overpaying him on a short contract. An offer in the two-year, $30-34 million range should do the trick.

Ingles showcased his nifty skills in an expanded role for a gritty Jazz team. His game has an intuitive fluidity to it that meshes perfectly with the offense Coach Atkinson is trying to build in Brooklyn. Ingles checks off multiple needs for the Nets, providing playmaking and reliable shooting from both forward spots on the offensive end.  Joe has a special talent for finding open teammates just before defenses can close tight passing windows. He always seems to keep the offense flowing, making quick decisions with the ball. On defense Ingles can guard multiple positions despite his lack of athleticism. He executes defensive schemes and often impedes quicker players by intelligently cutting off driving angles.

Signing Ingles would benefit the Nets both on and off the court. He’s famously witty and has a reputation as being a lighthearted, likable presence within the locker room. These traits could contribute to the new, winning culture that the Nets want to instill at all levels of their organization. Bringing some more Australian levity to Brooklyn would be great, especially for New Zealander Sean Marks!