NBA Free Agency 2018: One signing every team should make

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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BROOKLYN, NY – APRIL 1: Joe Harris #12 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball against the Detroit Pistons on April 1, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Brooklyn Nets — Joe Harris

For Brooklyn, the big news this summer is that they no longer owe first round picks to other teams. They are also in a position to create around $70 million in cap space next summer. In short: there is no need to rush things this summer. Renting out their cap space this year for rentals would be a smart move for them and has more upside than doing anything drastic right now.

Maybe Brooklyn could get funky in the restricted free agent market and sign someone like Rodney Hood who they feel they could develop and get a reasonable cost. But among their own free agents, they already have a guy in Joe Harris who fits Kenny Atkinson’s system, improved last season and could be part of their next good team.

Harris’ value on the open market is going to be interesting. He’ll be 27 at the start of next season and has a skill set good teams could use. It would not be shocking if a team like the Cavs (were they to keep LeBron James) or the Warriors (if they decide to use their taxpayer mid-level exception) come calling. Brooklyn can’t offer him winning basketball next season, but can offer a chance at it in 2019.

It also could offer him slightly more money than the league’s best teams and a chance to stay in the place he blossomed in. Plus, he’s a piece that will fit Brooklyn a year or two from now if they are able to land big names. On a team that lands star-level talent, he’s a role piece that fits easier than D’Angelo Russell or Allen Crabbe, who can opt into a player option worth $18.5 million next summer. There’s value in Harris for that reason alone.

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