The Brooklyn Nets have a ton of wings and a solid big man in Nic Claxton (an unrestricted free agent) but need help at point guard. The team traded Spencer Dinwiddie's expiring contract to the Raptors (who let him go soon after) in return for Dennis Schroder, but NBA scouts generally view him as a backup.
Brooklyn can't quite compete with the Spurs regarding draft pick volume, but the Nets have more to offer than the Lakers. While the team still owes multiple first-round picks to the Houston Rockets from the James Harden trade, the Nets restocked their coffers by sending Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers, Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns and Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks. They now project to have two first-rounders in 2025, two in 2027, three in 2029 and one apiece in 2028 (TBD by protections), 2030 and 2031. Brooklyn also projects to have 10 second-rounders through 2031.
Assuming Claxton re-signs and wings Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson are keepers, the Nets have a significant expiring contract to send for Young with Ben Simmons ($40.3 million). Others could include Dorian Finney-Smith ($14.9 million), Cam Thomas ($4 million), Day'Ron Sharpe ($4 million), Noah Clowney ($3.2 million), Dariq Whitehead ($3.1 million) and Schroder ($13 million). Keita Bates-Diop ($2.7 million player option) and Jalen Wilson ($1.9 million, $75,000 guaranteed) are on minimum contracts.
The Nets also have several large trade exceptions ($20.4 million for Dinwiddie, $11.9 million for Joe Harris, $9.5 million for Royce O'Neale and $6.8 million for Patty Mills). None would help Young directly, but it could come into play in a multi-team trade and/or if the Hawks want to send out other players.
Should the Nets trade for Trae Young?
13 comments
We could land Young, but the issue is it’ll cost the farm and we’ll still need to find a way to get a second option.
A small ball-dominant hub style all offense no defense guy whose teammates played more inspired once he got injured? Pass
We have Trae Young at home with Cam Thomas
We don’t need him we need a wing
Trae Young is as best as they come offensively. I think sometimes that he warrants more credit than people actually give him.
With that being said, it would be a bad idea. This team is resetting its culture and it’s obvious with the new hire. Trading for a star right away isn’t the move Sean looks likely to make.
Yes we could. And I think the length and defense that the Nets can put on the floor with Bridges, Johnson, DFS, and Claxton would cover some of Trae’s flaws. I don’t think it would make Nets a contender. But it could give us two years of 40+ win seasons as we just wait out the loss of our own picks.
A back court with Cam Thomas and Trae Young is a losing team if I’ve ever seen one. Please don’t do this Marks.
Sure as fuck hope not
Trae Young isn’t the answer
This would be too reminiscent of the d-will trade imo, if he’s available for a fair deal sure but the hawks aren’t going to just let him go for a few picks. I would rather the nets traded for more proven forwards and find a pg through the draft.
No
If they managed to get him and cam Thomas on the same team they would need two basketballs.
Was high on this earlier in the season, now I’m not feeling it. We could have 90 mil in cap space next summer