The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly not extending a qualifying offer to veteran forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
The Brooklyn Nets have a few decisions to make regarding the outlook of their roster this offseason. Having the opportunity to sign two max free agents, they’re reportedly close to a done deal with superstar point guard Kyrie Irving. They could also sign Kevin Durant, Tobias Harris or even Kristaps Porzingis.
That being said, there are a few guys they may need to part ways with to clear enough cap space. One of those guys will be forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
After Brooklyn declines to make a qualifying offer, F Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will become an unrestricted free agent, league sources tell ESPN. Hollis-Jefferson, 24, defends multiple positions well. For now, Nets have $46M in cap space.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 17, 2019
Dan Feldman of NBC Sports writes, “The Nets could make Hollis-Jefferson a restricted free agent, giving them the right to match any offer he receives. But do so, they must extend a $3,594,369 qualifying offer. That’s essentially a one-year contract offer he could accept at any time. If he did, he’d count against the cap at $3,594,369. Brooklyn doesn’t want to risk that.”
Jefferson appeared in 59 games this past season for the Nets, starting in 21. He averaged 8.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists, shooting 41.1% from the field.
Durant, due to a ruptured Achilles sustained in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, wouldn’t even see the floor until the 2020-2021 season if the Nets signed him. However, eventually, he’ll obviously be a better option than Hollis-Jefferson at that position. Hollis-Jefferson was a reliable option for the Nets, who made the playoffs this past year. However, it’s Durant, and you can’t pass up on an option like that.
By not extending a qualifying offer to Hollis-Jefferson, the young forward will walk and test the free agent market.
Hollis-Jefferson will thus become an unrestricted free agent. He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft but never played a game for them. His only four seasons as a professional has been for the Nets, and it seems that tenure is coming to an end.
