Nets introduce Larkin, Robinson; announce re-signing of Lopez, Young
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The 2015-16 Brooklyn Nets are quickly taking shape as a blend of the old and the new.
The team announced Thursday that it re-signed Brook Lopez and Thad Young while also introducing new signings Thomas Robinson and Shane Larkin at a press conference.
The Nets also signed Wayne Ellington on Thursday.
Arriving in style. #Nets #Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/WhLLGbwGaK
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) July 9, 2015
The deals show a previously non-existent desire to skew younger on the roster, and the Nets continue to shop high-priced veterans Joe Johnson and Deron Williams in hopes of lowering their luxury tax bill and turning the page on a half-decade of disappointing seasons.
Retaining Lopez and Young came at an appreciable cost, but both players are on the right side of their age curve and fit what the Nets hope to do moving forward.
Lopez was signed to a three-year deal worth a reported $60 million, but that number should push closer to $63.5 million with the cap increase announced Wednesday. Young's deal is for four years and $50 million with an opt-out after Year 3.
Thad Young: "Me and Brook, we've discussed a lot of things and feel like we can help this organization win a championship."
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) July 9, 2015
Lopez will also have the financial benefit of sharing a flat with brother Robin Lopez, who has agreed to a deal with the New York Knicks. Robin shouldn't get confused about who runs Gotham, though.
"As far as Robin is concerned, he'll always be the back end of Batman and ..." -- Brook Lopez on his twin brother who will play for Knicks.
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) July 9, 2015
Robinson, meanwhile, reportedly signed a two-year deal at the league minimum, a solid gamble on a player who was drafted fifth overall as recently as 2012. Larkin signed a two-year deal worth a reported $3 million, a potential sign that one of the team's incumbent guards could be on the move.
It's been a smart, if unflashy offseason for the Nets. It may not be a prudent strategy to continue forward with a somewhat flawed and expensive core, but Brooklyn doesn't have many alternatives. The Nets don't have a first-round pick in 2016 or 2018, the Boston Celtics can swap picks with them in 2017, and they're short on high-ceiling young players to build around.
Maintaining payroll flexibility would be great, but with a rising cap and little recourse to begin rebuilding properly, remaining a fringe playoff contender may be the most palatable option for Brooklyn.