The Brooklyn Nets have steadied things in recent weeks of the NBA season as they are back atop the Eastern Conference with a record of 15-6. They have done a good job adjusting to life without Kyrie Irving, who remains away from the team as he has not yet received his COVID-19 vaccine.
As a result, he remains ineligible for games at Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden. The team has been able to overcome that loss, but they may struggle to replace Joe Harris.
Harris is going to be sidelined four to eight weeks after undergoing ankle surgery. He has been one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA this season, along with teammate Patty Mills. Their accuracy from deep has been a big reason the team has adjusted without the mercurial point guard in the lineup.
Without Harris, Steve Nash has already adjusted the starting lineup, inserting LaMarcus Aldridge for Blake Griffin with DeAndre’ Bembry taking over for Harris. If the Nets find themselves needing some reinforcements, could this be when the team starts shopping for a trade involving Irving?
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nets Willing To Listen To Kyrie Irving Trade Offers — Full Details
It has been previously reported that the Nets could look to trade Irving if he remains ineligible to return. Figuring out his market is virtually impossible as there are so many factors that go into an Irving trade given his vaccination status and personality.
Could the LA Clippers be a potential fit for the All-Star point guard? In this hypothetical deal, the Clippers take a chance on acquiring Irving from the Brooklyn Nets.
In this deal, the LA Clippers send Eric Bledsoe, Luke Kennard, Keon Johnson, second-round picks in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and a first-round pick in 2028 to the Nets. For the Clippers, they get a second star to complement Paul George as the team waits for Kawhi Leonard to return from injury.
A Big 3 of Kyrie Irving, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard would be among the championship favorites in the league. Irving is exactly what LA has been looking for as a player that can take pressure off of George and Leonard in every facet of the game offensively. He is a skilled playmaker and can initiate the offense but also carry the load with his scoring ability and perimeter shooting.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nets Willing To Listen To Kyrie Irving Trade Offers — Full Details
For Brooklyn, this deal would help replenish all of their depth for a championship run. They aren’t getting back a third All-Star, but this is a solid package that fills some of the holes on their roster.
Bledsoe is a seasoned veteran that provides toughness to a backcourt that is sometimes lacking defensive intensity. He also brings 48 games of postseason experience with him.
Kennard is an elite marksman that would help replace Harris’ production while he is sidelined. He fits well into the Brooklyn Nets’ game plan offensively, which is the most perimeter-orientated attack in the league. Kennard is connecting on 40.5 percent of his 3-point attempts this season and is a 41.2 percent shooter in his career.
Johnson hasn’t had a chance to crack the LA Clippers rotation much, but at 19-years old, he was one of the best defenders in this year’s draft class. He gives the Nets a young building block or another high-upside player that can be included in a trade to bring a more established player into town.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nets Willing To Listen To Kyrie Irving Trade Offers — Full Details
The draft picks being acquired will help the Nets replenish their draft capital, which has been depleted with all of the trades and acquisitions they have made in recent seasons. That will give them more bargaining power on the trade market when the need arises to make another move to upgrade the roster.
