As the NBA’s trade deadline approaches, the league is being divided into buyers and sellers. This year, there will be more buyers than sellers. The upcoming draft is perceived as weak – most teams that would tank did so in anticipation of last year’s class.
The Brooklyn Nets may be an exception. They’re expected to be sellers at the deadline. It’s worth keeping an eye on the Nets. They have several quality players that contenders could be interested in.
Mikal Bridges is chief among them. With that said, the rumors suggest that the Nets aren’t interested in moving their best player. Fair enough – but at the right price, one wonders if they could part with him. Could the New Orleans Pelicans offer them the right price?
The Trade Proposal
Brooklyn Nets receive: C Jonas Valanciunas, G/F Dyson Daniels, 2024 First-Round Pick (LAL via NOP), 2025 First-Round Pick (NOP), 2027 First-Round Pick (MIL via NOP)
New Orleans Pelicans receive: G/F Mikal Bridges
The draft can certainly influence a team’s in-season decisions. Last year, we saw plenty of teams who would have preferred to lose. With Victor Wembanyama on the horizon, there was a tremendous prize to be had for the worst teams in the league.
This year, no such prize exists. The upcoming class is considered weak. Is that fair? Have we seen classes that were supposed to be weak end up looking strong in retrospect?
Certainly. Look at the 2020 class. Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball were expected to be stars. Still, players like Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey, and Desmond Bane have defied expectations. In the end, there’s more randomness in the draft than we’d like. With that said, the Nets don’t even own their next pick. Should they sell anyway?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
It’s a tough call. The Nets aren’t only without their next pick. They owe their first-round picks, whether outright or via swap, to the Houston Rockets through to 2027. This team doesn’t benefit from losing games.
Yet, they’re losing games anyway. This iteration of the Nets isn’t built to win. This team has a surplus of 3-and-D wings, and they’re too light on shot creation. Still, some would suggest that the right move is to hang onto Bridges and make a trade for the next creator to hit the market.
Perhaps. Do the Nets have a competitive offer for that creator? Following this deal, they certainly would. It may be wise for Brooklyn to trade Bridges, take a step back, and trade for a star this summer. That star will be surrounded by 3-and-D wings, and the Nets should be a much better team. Should the Pelicans put them in that position?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
Bridges has looked overburdened as a first option in Brooklyn. He’d be the third option in New Orleans. With Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram on the roster, Bridges can find his optimal role as a 3-and-D wing who can create shots.
The Pelicans have ample creation. Following this deal, they’d be lacking a starting caliber big man. If this team has any reservations about this deal, those will be the reservations. Can they survive without Valanciunas?
Sure. The Pelicans could make this deal and go grab a defensive big on the buyout market. They’d be a much better team – in fact, they’d be title contenders. This Pelicans team is already dangerous – they should be buyers at the trade deadline.
