The rebuilding Brooklyn Nets lost their starting center back in June after they sent Brook Lopez to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Nets may have already found their new starter at the No. 5 position. Jared Sullinger could soon be the man taking over the duties Lopez left in Brooklyn.

A Nets fan recently shared a photo on Twitter of him, together with point guard D'Angelo Russell and Sullinger. It looked like Russell and Sullinger worked out together. The big man was even wearing Nets gear in the picture. In a report by the New York Daily News, Sullinger's agent shared that they are "exploring the opportunity" of the big man playing for Brooklyn.

If Sullinger ends up in Brooklyn, it would be an excellent opportunity for him to redeem himself. The 25-year-old started the previous season with the Toronto Raptors. His addition to the Raptors had hype since he came off a remarkable four-season stint with the Boston Celtics. Unfortunately, last October, he underwent foot surgery. It led to him playing in only 11 games (one start) for Toronto and getting assigned several times to the team's NBA G-League affiliate, the Raptors 905. In February, the Raptors officially parted ways with him via a trade with the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns immediately waived him after the deal.

Performance decline

In 11 appearances for the Raptors in the 2016-17 season, Sullinger averaged career-worsts 3.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per outing. These numbers are distant from the ones he had in four years suiting up for the Celtics. In his time in Boston, the former Ohio State Buckeye was an efficient scorer.

He was also a reliable rebounder and had good passing. Hopefully, the Nets can grant him another chance. Once healthy, Sullinger could help the struggling organization become competitive not just in the Eastern Conference, but it in the entire league.

Sullinger an upgrade

As of the moment, there are only two legitimate centers on Brooklyn's roster.

These are Timofey Mozgov and Jarrett Allen. Mozgov is a veteran and a one-time NBA champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Meanwhile, Allen is a young prospect coming out of Texas. Both are quality centers, though none of them are on the same level as Sullinger. As mentioned, Sullinger is a great center when he is at a hundred percent. He would certainly improve the Nets' group of frontcourt players if they sign him and he manages to remain healthy.
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