PROCURE OBSCURE
Nets free-agent search flying under the radar
When NBA free agency starts just at 12:01 a.m. Friday, the Nets will be among the league leaders in both cap space and holes to fill.
So where will they spend all that money, and how will they use all those resources?
“Undervalued guys, guys that might be a little under the radar that can produce,’’ Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said Tuesday. “Maybe not necessarily the big star. Maybe we’re not in the position to get that guy.”
Though Brooklyn isn’t expected to be in the running for the biggest free-agent star — Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant — and they’ve tried to manage expectations about the level of player they will add, there are a number of targets who would help the roster, and they have up to $55.2 million to spend (the fourth-most in the NBA).
Point guard is their most pressing need — think Rajon Rondo, Brandon Jennings or Sergio Rodriguez — but the draft-day trade that sent Thaddeus Young packing has opened a hole at power forward.
Atlanta center Al Horford has drawn interest from the Celtics, Lakers, Magic, Pistons, Rockets and Wizards, according to ESPN. He will command a maximum deal, meaning $150 million over five years from the Hawks, but “just” $110 million over four years elsewhere.
That’s a daunting sum to commit to a 30-year-old, but despite a not-perfect fit with center Brook Lopez, Horford would be a huge addition — and Atkinson’s relationship with him as a former Hawks assistant and head coach of the Dominican Republic’s national team could help.
“Relationships are big in the NBA when it comes to free agency,’’ Atkinson said of pre-existing rapport in general.
The point guard situation is a mess. Backup Shane Larkin reportedly has opted out. The Nets surprisingly made Markel Brown a qualifying offer, though there’s no guarantee they would match any significant offer. The Nets also have to decide whether to pick up a $6.3 million option on starter Jarrett Jack — unlikely for a 33-year-old coming off a torn ACL — or pay his $500,000 guarantee.
Yahoo reported the Nets h ave paid the guarantee and stretched it out over three years, implying they’re trying to save every penny of cap room.
There is no evidence the Nets are pursuing Jeremy Lin, who has three meetings set up Friday. But there is mutual interest with Rondo. The possibility of the Nets offering him a max deal seems unlikely — giving a 30-year-old with knee and disciplinary woes a deal that could total $140 million over four seasons strains credulity — but they probably are willing to outbid the Kings.
There also is reported interest between the Nets and Jennings, 26, who still may not be 100 percent after rupturing his left Achilles tendon. With Orlando committed to young Elfrid Payton and Jennings potentially commanding $10 million, several in the NBA feel he could re gai n hi s 2014-1 5 form — when he averaged 15.4 points and 6.6 assists, posting a career-high 19.7 effi- ciency rating (15 being average) before getting hurt.
The Nets are closing in on Rodriguez, whom assistant GM Trajan Langdon scouted extensively in April. The ex-Knick is the 12th-highest paid player in Europe, but is making just $2 million with the Euroleague.
The Euroleague Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015 spent four years in the NBA, including 27 games (eight starts) for the Knicks in 2009-10, averaging 7.4 points and 3.4 assists.
The Post reported the Nets’ interest in Dallas’ Chandler Parsons, while ESPN reported interest in 6-6 shooting guard Allen Crabbe (who got a $2.7 million qualifying offer from Portland but figures to make several times that).