Looking towards the future: The Brooklyn Nets 2017 free agency guide, part one, including Nerlens Noel and Jeff Teague. 

The 2017 NBA free agent class contains many high-powered stars like Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry and Blake Griffin; all proven players that would automatically improve any NBA franchise.

However, many around the league believe that most, if not all of the top-tier free agents will elect to remain with their current teams. Presuming this is the case, the Brooklyn Nets will have to carefully maneuver the market to avoid missing out on their key free agent targets, yet again.

With names like Curry, Durant, Paul and Griffin seemingly off of the board, the Brooklyn Nets General Manager Sean Marks will have to comb the list of tier-two free agents to bolster their current roster.

Marks, a former San Antonio Spurs Assistant GM, brings with him a winning pedigree and an out of the box style of thinking that has made the Spurs perennial contenders. Expect Marks to target high-character veterans and young players with tremendous upside, as he attempts to build a championship caliber team.

Based on the Nets new found high-tempo playing style, under first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson, Nerlens Noel and Jeff Teague are ideal free agent targets.

Here’s the full breakdown:

Jeff Teague

The former Atlanta Hawks All-Star should be at the top of the Nets list. Teague would quickly bring stability to the Brooklyn Nets backcourt, either pairing him with or replacing Jeremy in the starting lineup. Only two seasons removed from his All-Star form, Teague is averaging 15.7 points and 8.2 assist this season as a member of the Indiana Pacers.

Teague’s court vision and speed would fit seamlessly into head coach Kenny Atkinson’s system. With Jeremy Lin sidelined the majority of the season, the Nets have been relying on a host of young and unproven guards that are failing to finish games. Signing Teague would give the Nets the security of a veteran presence and a much-needed boost to the team’s scoring ability.

As one of the best free agent point guards available, there will be plenty of interests in Teague’s services. However, Teague should be obtainable without the Nets spending the projected max salary.

Other backcourt options: Jrue Holiday and Ben McLemore

Nerlens Noel

Restricted free agent Nerlens Noel is a wildcard target for the Nets. The Philadelphia 76ers have a wealth of frontcourt players on their roster and may be reluctant to match any sizable offer. Noel is currently averaging eight points and a shade under five rebounds per game this season, coming off the bench. Drafted in the first round in 2013, the 6-foot-11 big man has been frustrated by his limited playing time and may be looking to move on.

In limited action this season, Noel has shown an increased efficiency from the field (59%) and free-throw line (73%), although taking a dip on points. These improvements in his game give potential suitors a glimpse in the former Kentucky Wildcats’ potential.

The Nets are in desperate need of an athletic big man that is capable of running the floor and finishing above the rim. Noel, although relatively unproven, fills this gap and has a huge upside if brought into the right system. Look for the Brooklyn Nets to take a long hard look at incorporating Noel into their current youth movement.

Other frontcourt options: Serge Ibaka and Otto Porter Jr.

The Brooklyn Nets roster woes will not be solved by Sean Marks this offseason, or maybe even the next. Teague and Noel alone will not make the Nets contenders in the Eastern Conference. However, signing one or both of them has the potential to rejuvenate the franchise and provide a much-needed boost of optimism for the team’s fan base.

It is evident that the problems created by the Billy King era run too deep to fix overnight. The future of the Nets is contingent on Mark’s ability to convince top quality players to buy into the new philosophy and sign long term in Brooklyn. If the current Nets’ front office fails to bring life back to the Barclay Center this offseason, we may start to hear faint screams for the firing of Kenny Atkinson and Sean Marks.