The Brooklyn Nets are in a hotly-contested race for a minimum of the fourth seed within the loaded Jap Convention. Earlier than the harm to Kevin Durant, they had been, at one level, only one sport behind the Boston Celtics for the perfect document of their convention.
Durant’s absence because of an MCL sprain has solely highlighted the loopholes on their roster. With the commerce deadline only a few days away, GM Sean Marks may make a transfer to improve the roster. All he has to do is tinker a bit of bit and he can plug the holes that would sink the Nets because the battle heats up.
Listed below are three potential strikes that would make the Brooklyn Nets extra balanced and extra formidable:
#3. Commerce Seth Curry and Day’Ron Sharpe for Mo Bamba of the Orlando Magic
The Brooklyn Nets and the Orlando Magic may assist one another heading into the NBA’s commerce deadline subsequent month. Brooklyn lacks one other inside presence outdoors of Nic Claxton, who’s been terrific, notably over the previous two months.
Claxton, nevertheless, wants a backup with extra heft and energy to tackle the likes of Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Buying and selling for the Magic’s Mo Bamba may assist shore up their skinny frontcourt.
Orlando, in the meantime, may use extra capturing from the perimeter. The Magic’s greatest guards akin to Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz and RJ Hampton aren’t constantly good from behind the arc. Getting Seth Curry’s 43.3% from the clip from behind the arc may assist unclog the lane for the bigs to function.
Bamba has develop into Orlando’s third-string middle with the emergence of Bol Bol, one of many NBA’s most unusual and intriguing gamers. He will get extra enjoying time in Brooklyn whereas Curry gives excellent outdoors capturing to enrich Paolo Banchero and Orlando’s bevy of massive males.
The Brooklyn Nets and the Orlando Magic are in a win-win scenario with such a commerce.
#2. Commerce Seth Curry and the 2023 first-round decide for the Chicago Bulls’ Alex Caruso
The Chicago Bulls are scheduled to pay DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso $114.8 million this season. They’re solely 22-26 for the eleventh spot within the Jap Convention.
If the Bulls resolve to explode the roster, Caruso is likely to be a reputation price pursuing. Caruso nonetheless has three years left on his contract, together with this season at roughly simply $9 million per season.
Extra importantly, he solves the Brooklyn Nets’ perimeter defensive woes. Caruso is a defensive whiz the Nets may desperately want within the playoffs.
Royce O’Neale doesn’t have the pace to chase across the league’s greatest, quickest and shiftiest playmakers. Caruso solutions that and extra.
The Chicago Bulls reportedly need two first-round picks for the previous LA Lakers stalwart. Seth Curry and a first-rounder would possibly persuade them. Curry is on an expiring $8 million deal, which is ideal in the event that they need to revamp the roster. Getting a first-round decide subsequent season is one other gem price going after.
After the Brooklyn Nets had been swept by the Boston Celtics, Kevin Durant famous the Cs’ dimension and size. Having Alex Caruso in there solves that plus, he’s 38.7% from 3-point distance, which is respectable sufficient.
#1. Brooklyn Nets commerce Joe Harris and 2023 first-round decide for Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers had been imagined to be tanking this season, however Tyrese Haliburton modified the crew’s trajectory. With Haliburton injured, the Pacers look misplaced and on monitor to be the place they’re regarded as heading into the season.
Myles Turner is within the final 12 months of a four-year, $80 million deal and can stroll away as an unrestricted free agent subsequent season. Indiana is reportedly keen to speak in regards to the huge man for the fitting worth.
Joe Harris and a 2023 first-round decide is likely to be an attention-grabbing proposition for them. Harris provides one other deep menace to the crew, whereas the lottery decide is an enormous enhance to how the Pacers will attempt to reconstruct the crew.
Turner, alternatively, can improve the Brooklyn Nets’ inside protection and rebounding. Brooklyn’s already strong protection could have much more tooth with the two-time blocks champion within the backline.
Essentially the most intriguing a part of Turner’s sport with the Nets is his capability to constantly hit from behind the arc. He’s hitting 39.5% from deep, which is able to unlock one other layer on offense.
Nic Claxton is an outstanding pick-and-roll participant. Turner can power defenses into an much more tough scenario with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving working performs.
Turner might be a one-year-rental, but when he’s sufficient to cowl the Brooklyn Nets’ most evident deficiencies, he could also be well worth the prize.