Nets GM Billy King wants Thad Young, Brook Lopez back
Nets general manager Billy King spoke to the media Wednesday and revealed his biggest plan for the offseason: retaining potential free agents Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez.
"Internally, the next big step is to keep Brook and Thaddeus here," King said, per ESPN's Mike Mazzeo. "They both have shown indications they want to be here in their exit interviews, and we want them here, so it's incumbent on us to get that done."
Another big statement King made regarded Deron Williams and Joe Johnson, who will combine to make almost $46 million next season, eating up barely under 70 percent of the 2015-16 projected salary cap. Brooklyn explored trades involving both those guys and Lopez during this season, and King says ridding himself of either Johnson or Williams during the offseason is a distinct possibility.
"We could have done it at the deadline," King said, per Mazzeo. "A couple of them we could have moved at the deadline, and we chose not to."
He continued, "We're going to explore all options, as we have. Will there be a trade? There could be, but I'm not sure. But we're going to look at every option to get better."
Williams was up and down (mostly down) during his fourth season in Brooklyn, finishing the year with 13.0 point-per-game and 6.6 assist-per-game averages. Johnson, meanwhile, started 80 times for the Nets and showed off consistent play throughout the year, but his almost $25 million salary for 2015-16 would be a load off the Nets' shoulders if they could move it.
Johnson will hit free agency next summer. Williams' contract runs out after the 2016-17 season.
