© Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Nets not expected to make major moves heading to 2024 trade deadline
The Brooklyn Nets delivered a humongous splash in last year's trade deadline by dumping both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving away. But they might not be able to repeat this for the 2023-24 season.
According to New York Post's Brian Lewis, the Nets aren't expected to make a massive swing with the season's trade deadline now on the horizon this Thursday.
"After Brooklyn moved stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving before last season's deadline, any swaps they make before 3 p.m. are expected to be small instead of seismic.
"The Nets could be both buyers and sellers, just trading for role players."
Not going for the big names
Though Brooklyn was tied to both Dejounte Murray and D'Angelo Russell, two of the most notable names in the trade markets, Lewis noted that the Nets aren't willing to let go of two first-round picks that the Hawks are asking for the All-Star. A probable reunion with Russell doesn't appear possible as well.
Instead of those two mentioned league stars, Lewis pinpointed that it would be safe to aim the trade focus of the team towards the likes of Phoenix Suns forward Nassir Little, Cleveland Cavaliers big Dean Wade, or Oklahoma City Thunder vet Davis Bertans, the three role players that were linked to Brooklyn throughout the trade season.
Assessing the Nets' trade stance
While the trio of Spencer Dinwiddie, Royce O'Neale, and Dorian Finney-Smith have been their three main chips to put in the marketplace this Thursday, the Nets' stance to commit minimal moves to improve their roster is intriguing. The ball club cannot afford to finish the season at the Conference basement as their first-round team asset this year would be in the possession of the Houston Rockets.
But their decision to remain firm in not making massive transactions is quite intriguing. While both Murray and Russell could provide them with the playmaking aspect that they are severely pursuing, sacrificing future picks that hold significant value for future use might not turn out to be a worthy one and create the instant impact that they are seeking to seize.
Only time can tell what will unfold in the next couple of hours. But the Nets are certainly one of the key teams to watch, given their assets to offer and the urgent needs that they need to address.
