Through the early stages of free-agency, the Brooklyn Nets were both patient and quiet.  That all changed on the Fourth of July, when they set off some major fireworks of their own.

According to multiple reports, the Nets have signed restricted free-agent Otto Porter Jr. of the Washington Wizards to a four-year max offer sheet worth approximately $106 million.

The Nets plan to submit the offer sheet to the Wizards, who will have 48 hours to match it. Under NBA rules, if the Nets submit the sheet to Washington any time before noon on Thursday, the period to match it ends at midnight on Saturday the 8th. They are largely expected to match the offer and keep Porter, but doing so will vault them over the salary cap and into the luxury tax. Wizards owner Ted Leonsis has never paid the tax since taking over the franchise.

Porter, 24, is widely regarded as the top RFA on the market.  He was drafted by the Wizards with the No. 3 pick in the 2014 draft and has developed into one of the top small forwards in the league.  This past season, he averaged 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists, helping the Wizards get to within one game of the Eastern Conference Finals.

If the Wizards choose not to match, this would be a huge addition for the Nets.  Porter is an elite shooter and defender who would slide seamlessly into the starting small forward slot.  He will also become the highest paid player in franchise history with a starting salary of $24.75 million in year one.

This is a win regardless for the rebuilding Nets, who had the NBA’s worst record last season.  They successfully courted a top free-agent and got him to agree to join the team.  That speaks volumes about the job GM Sean Marks and Atkinson are doing to change the culture in Brooklyn.  The Sacramento Kings also offered Porter a max offer sheet, and there were also rumors that the Utah Jazz were interested in him after losing Gordon Hayward to the Boston Celtics. Porter still chose the Nets, which will not go unnoticed around the league.

Could the fourth time be the charm for Marks?  In the past 16 months, the Nets have signed Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson, Portland Trailblazers wing Allen Crabbe and big man Donatas Motiejunas to rich offer sheets, only to have their respective teams match.