The Brooklyn Nets have established themselves as the team to beat right now or more ways than one. They're the team to beat on the court, most importantly, seeing as they're 17-3 over their last 20 games and have the best offensive rating in the NBA. But they're also the team to beat in the sweepstakes for different free agents, as it's difficult to find a more desirable landing spot than Brooklyn.
It was the most attractive option for Kevin Durant a couple of years back. It was the ideal fresh start for James Harden after he left Houston earlier in the 2020-21 season. And as aging veterans have looked for places to win a ring, the Nets have come out on top. First was Blake Griffin, who mutually agreed to part ways with the Detroit Pistons and was bought out. Then, on Saturday, LaMarcus Aldridge joined the party as well.
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ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who broke the news of the signing, also noted that the Nets still had an open roster spot to use in the buyout market. Who else could they possibly add? Portland Trail Blazers big man Enes Kanter had a couple of ideas.
At this point, I wouldn't put it past them. Sure, some of their star signees are past their primes — if they weren't, a lineup of Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge and Blake Griffin would simply be unfair. But they're clearly looking to run away with the league at this point and can entice veterans to sign a minimum contract with a very good chance at a ring.
Andre Drummond is available after the Cavaliers bought out his contract, though Wojnarowski says that the Lakers are front-runners and that Drummond "is expected to formalize his decision to join the Lakers as soon as Sunday." Recently traded veterans Otto Porter Jr., Kelly Olynyk and Avery Bradley are all interesting candidates to be bought out by their new teams, as NBA insider Keith Smith noted.
We're not sure about Thanos' status, but we do know that he's looked pretty good on the virtual hardwood before.
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