After getting swept by the Boston Celtics in disappointing fashion, the Brooklyn Nets must explore trades this offseason to strengthen the roster. The James Harden deal has backfired thus far, as Ben Simmons did not suit up a single time for Brooklyn since being acquired. The team will also have to figure out the future of Kyrie Irving. With this being said, no team having Kevin Durant, let alone the other players on the roster, should be getting swept in the first round of the playoffs.
Brooklyn Nets: Two Trade Ideas
Building Depth
Brooklyn Nets receive Harrison Barnes, Richaun Holmes, and Trey Lyles.
Sacramento Kings receive Ben Simmons.
Outside of trades, Brooklyn will have a lot of decisions to make this off-season. There’s Irving’s possible free agency, as well as that of Bruce Brown. Players like Andre Drummond, Nic Claxton, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Goran Dragic will all hit free agency as well. For that reason, the Nets add depth in this deal.
Barnes remains a very solid player and will compete for the number three role (assuming Irving stays) in Brooklyn along with Joe Harris. Add in Seth Curry and Patty Mills, and the Nets will have shooting everywhere. Holmes is also an underrated center. His minutes went down this year, but he still put up averages of about 10 points and seven boards per game. Last season, however, he averaged about 14 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks per game. Lyles adds frontcourt depth. He represents a solid rotational piece.
Sacramento receives a “star” in Simmons here. Should he be determined to play, then Sacramento may have something worth building. They have a primary ball-handler already in De’Aaron Fox. Simmons can help in that department, bring in elite defense, and also play in the frontcourt alongside another star in Domantas Sabonis.
Small Scale Help
Brooklyn Nets receive James Bouknight and Kai Jones.
Charlotte Hornets receive Nic Claxton (via sign-and-trade).
With all their money tied up elsewhere, and the importance of Brown to the Nets, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see them unable to hold onto Claxton. Charlotte, on the other hand, desperately needs big man help. Brooklyn should take advantage of this and offer Claxton in a sign-and-trade scenario.
In exchange, Brooklyn gets two promising albeit unproven players. Bouknight was a lottery pick in last year’s draft but struggled for playing time due to the plethora of guards already on Charlotte’s roster. Brooklyn has plenty of guards too, but they can acquire all the cheaper firepower they can get so the team remains competitive when the stars aren’t on the floor. Bouknight can also grow under the tutelage of Irving and Durant. Jones was drafted 19th overall in last year’s draft as well. He’s a project but can develop into a player similar to Claxton in the near future.
Claxton has plenty of areas to improve but is a useful big. Charlotte needs this so Mason Plumlee isn’t the only option at the five. Claxton is also young, which fits in well with Charlotte’s core.
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