Jeremy Lin new backcourt mate next season; Detroit Pistons’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope top free agent target for Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets already has its starting point guard in the next few seasons with Jeremy Lin at the helm. However, the team is still searching for a quality shooting guard to pair alongside the Asian-American. In the 2017 NBA free agency season, the Nets could reportedly offer Kentavious Caldwell-Pope a max contract and steal him away from East rival Detroit Pistons.

The Nets has the worst record in the league this season and on its way to another NBA Draft lottery appearance. Unfortunately, it doesn’t own its 2017 first round pick and will have to send it to the Boston Celtics. This leaves the Nets without a choice but to build through its other draft picks and via free agency.

According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, the Nets have the capability to “strike it big” in 2017 free agency. Citing scouts and former teammates, Lewis claimed that Caldwell-Pope has “become the most important piece” on the Pistons roster. That’s saying a lot since Detroit also features Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris.

Caldwell-Pope is one of the top shooting guards in the NBA free agency market. There are other better players and superstars available in the summer of 2017 but it’s not likely that they want to sign with a rebuilding team like the Nets.

Also available are Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant and Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz, Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors and Paul Millsap are also options for Lin and the Nets. The Nets is projected to have around $40 million in salary cap space by next season.

According to the report, the 24-year-old Caldwell-Pope demanded a $26.1 million contract annually from the Pistons. Detroit did not give him that deal as it waited for Caldwell-Pope to prove his worth first this current season. Caldwell-Pope has somewhat proved that he deserves a long-term contract but it’s not known if teams are willing to give him the max contract.

According to the same report, the Pistons balked at the value of his contract demand, which is the most in the young shooting guard’s career. This 2016-2017 NBA season, Caldwell-Pope is averaging 14.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Those are good numbers but not yet max contract level.

However, Caldwell-Pope has shown that he plays both sides of the ball and his versatility is valued around the league. Would the Nets actually offer Caldwell-Pope the max contract?

Jeremy Lin, Brook Lopez and others need support and another scorer and Caldwell-Pope could be that guy. With Brooklyn not a top destination for the other top free agents, it’s likely that it has to overpay for someone like Caldwell-Pope to help them rebuild back to contention.