5 free agents Brooklyn Nets must target in the 2021 NBA off-season

#3 JaVale McGee

JaVale McGee (#34) of the Denver Nuggets blocks a shot attempt by Cameron Payne.

JaVale McGee is an under-the-radar option for the Brooklyn Nets in free agency. The center has played for multiple championship-winning teams in the past, including the LA Lakers and the Golden State Warriors, where he teamed up with the Brooklyn Nets' talisman Kevin Durant.

McGee would be a solid option to play at the five for the Nets, thanks to his tremendous quality inside the paint at both ends of the floor. He proved with the LA Lakers that he still has a lot left in the tank and can help championship-caliber teams massively.

McGee did not have an ideal 2020-21 NBA season, though. He started the campaign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he came off the bench for Andre Drummond and Jarrett Allen later on. He was then traded to the Denver Nuggets, where his playing time was even less, as the team had Nikola Jokic, the 2021 NBA MVP, playing as the center.

Nonetheless, McGee is set to be a part of the USA men's Olympics team, which the Nets should be keeping an eye on. He could improve the Nets' rebounding and provide some much-needed rim protection too.

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#2 Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin rejuvenated himself while turning out for the Brooklyn Nets this season. The former LA Clippers star started the season with the Detroit Pistons but was bought out by the Nets.

Griffin, though, was seen as a luxurious addition to the squad. But he eventually turned out to be a starter for the team and a key player after LaMarcus Aldridge decided to retire mid-season.

Blake Griffin averaged ten points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 21.5 minutes per game and came up big at the defensive end, especially during the playoffs. Injury concerns surrounding him were put to bed, as he made dive-first kind of plays, something the Brooklyn Nets will need to build a solid defensive unit.

Griffin joined the Nets in the hope of winning his first NBA title. After his failure to do so this year, it could motivate him to re-sign with the Nets next season, despite the team only being eligible to offer him a minimum contract.

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#1 Nerlens Noel

New York Knicks' Nerlens Noel in action

The Brooklyn Nets are actively looking to add a center to their roster this summer who can help them improve their interior defense. As per recent NBA rumors, Nerlens Noel has emerged as a player they are interested in.

Noel was terrific for the Nets' crosstown rivals New York Knicks last season. He averaged 5.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. Noel isn't a player who can deliver at the offensive end with huge numbers. But he can provide the defensive depth the Nets are looking for, thanks to his rim protection ability.

The Nets can only offer him a full $5.9 million taxpayer mid-level exception, though, which is lower than his current market value. The Knicks, meanwhile, have more cap space available and could look to re-sign the player on a bigger contract.

However, the Brooklyn Nets are better suited to win a championship than the Knicks, which could influence Noel to join forces with the Nets instead of the Knicks.