Assessing the Potential Trade Market for the Brooklyn Nets, and Off-season Considerations
The Brooklyn Nets had the potential to be in full rebuild mode when they were reportedly offered most of their first-round picks used in the James Harden trade back, plus Jalen Green from the Houston Rockets for forward Mikal Bridges this past NBA trade deadline. The Nets declined and at the time they were set on building around Bridges. The Nets are heading into the summer with the same attitude, keep Bridges, lure in a star, and get back to competing. Is this the direction the team should go? Or should the team fully rebuild?
Bridges who was acquired by the Nets in the Kevin Durant deal, showed flashes of potentially becoming a two-way star, but in his first full year in Brooklyn, he had some growing pains. Bridges’ failure to improve to a better than-All-Star level player, combined with another injury-plagued season by Ben Simmons, and the regression in growth from Nets Forward Cameron Johnson are all part of the multiple reasons the Nets had a 32-50 record this past season. That being said, is there a potential trade partner out there for the Nets to bring another star to the borough of Brooklyn, and should the Nets trade their potentially valuable draft assets acquired in the Kevin Durant deal to get him?
Donovan Mitchell: If Brooklyn were to go the route of potentially bringing in another star via trade, the New York native Donovan Mitchell certainly jumps right to the top of the list. Mitchell has struggled to get far in the playoffs with the Cleveland Cavaliers after being acquired by the team two years ago, and with an injury ending his season against Boston in round two of the playoffs, it could have potentially sparked Mitchell to want another change of scenery. Mitchell can bring a scoring prowess to the Nets that they certainly did not have this past season. With Mitchell being a free agent next off-season is it potentially worth trading multiple draft picks for the star, when he may be able to be acquired for no draft picks via free agency next summer?
For this trade to be able to work, the Nets would likely have to get a third team involved to take on Ben Simmons’ expiring contract. A team like the Chicago Bulls comes to mind and the framework of a deal could look like the Nets receiving: Donovan Mitchell. The Bulls receiving: Ben Simmons and a draft pick. The Cavaliers receiving: Zach Lavine and a draft pick or two back.
Would a trade for Mitchell make the Nets better? Schroder, Mitchell, Bridgers, Johnson, and potentially Nick Claxton would make the Nets significantly better than they were last year, but they would still be missing another piece to make them legitimate contenders again.
Should the Nets trade for Mitchell? Yes. (If he agrees to a new contract)
Dejounte Murray: The Nets have had interest in Murray for a while now and were reportedly trying hard to get him this past NBA trade deadline. Murray never really clicked well with running mate Trae Young since being acquired from San Antonio. Murray played significantly better most of the time when Young was not on the floor with him. If the Nets added Murray and just Murray, would it be enough to make them a playoff team? Probably not, but it would make them a potential play in team, and they could potentially add more during the season.
What would it cost to get Murray? Murray’s market has been very sporadic, and Atlanta is certainly going to want draft capital from any team that acquires him. Murray is under contract until the 2026-2027 season and is only 27 years old, making him a valuable asset to any team acquiring him. A trade package of three picks and Simmons’ expiring contract would likely be more than enough to get a deal done, especially if Atlanta goes the rebuild route and decides to move on from Trae Young as well. If Atlanta decides to keep Young, the Nets will have a hard time in a bidding war with other teams to win the services of Murray, because the Nets really only have draft picks to offer and not a player that can help Young win in the now.
Should the Nets trade for Murray? Yes.
Damian Lillard: Lillard may cost the most because of his name and should the Nets be willing to part with draft picks for another aging superstar. The Nets know this story all too well, but with the team seeming like they want to compete for a title in the near feature, trading for the star guard is certainly on the table. Especially considering his potential availability with him and superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo not being on the same page in their first full season as teammates. Lillard and current Nets player Mikal Bridges are reportedly very close, and Lillard wanted Bridges to join him when he was in Portland. If the Nets can find a way to acquire the aging star guard, they would certainly be better, but is it enough to get them into title contention talks in a rather weak Eastern Conference?
Trading for Lillard would certainly make fans excited, but the Nets would need more if they wanted to seriously think about winning a title. Making a move for Lillard is not a move you make unless there are other moves to follow it. The Nets would have to bring in another star that would potentially be available this summer to have the potential to make the assets it will take it acquire Lillard worthwhile in the end. If you can pair Lillard with Bridges and Mitchell then the Nets could potentially be a scary team, but the Nets probably do not have enough assets to get it done.
Should the Nets trade or just Lillard? No. (If it is Lillard alone)
Trae Young: Trae Young has been a name that has floated around the trade rumor world for two years now and Atlanta may be ready to finally blow it up this summer. Trae Young is only 25 years old and has already been to the Eastern Conference Finals. The ECF was three seasons ago and the Hawks have been anything but a great basketball team since then. Young is a spectacular player who can shoot from anywhere on the floor, while also setting his teammates up. Young has averaged at least 25 points and 10 assists per game over the past two seasons making him a lethal offensive weapon for any team. Young, who is under contract until the 2026-2027 season is going to be an expensive trade piece this offseason for Atlanta should they decide to move him. If the Nets can acquire Young, they certainly will become a more fun team, but they will still need a few more pieces to compete.
What would it take for the Nets to acquire Young? Based on recent trades and what the value is for “superstars” in their prime it would start with four first round draft picks and a solid young player back in return. The Nets may be able to get away with trading draft picks and Ben Simmons because he is on an expiring contract and Atlanta could deem that potential availability in cap space just as much if not more valuable than acquiring a talented young player in return. The Nets would be adding Young, who could potentially make them a playoff team due to his dynamic scoring and passing ability, as well as playing alongside a few elite defenders (Bridges and Claxton).
Should the Nets trade for Young? Yes.
If they can add a player who is signed to a long-term deal by moving Ben Simmons’ contract, they must accept it and move on from him. When it’s all said and done the Nets could be much more competitive next season, but unless they can add two of the players mentioned above, they likely won’t be mentioned in the title consideration talks anytime soon and should consider moving Bridges for more draft capital, younger players, and start a full-on rebuild.
