The most recent Big 3 in the NBA did not go according to plan. The Brooklyn Nets had high hopes when they traded for James Harden from the Houston Rockets, adding him to the duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Ultimately, they fell well short of expectations.
That trio played only 16 games together. They were dominant when on the court at the same time, as the Nets went 13-3. But, injuries and other circumstances kept them from playing together more as Harden was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers just over a year after the Nets acquired him.
The duo of Kevin Durant and Irving should be enough for the Nets to compete, but they do need more help to be true contenders. The team’s performance against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs showed just how far away they are from contending. Brooklyn was swept in four games as they didn’t have the firepower to keep up with the Celtics.
With their offseason now underway, management will figure out what they can do to upgrade the roster. Deciding what they want to do with Kyrie Irving, who will be eligible for a five-year deal worth up to $245.6 million, is their first task. If Irving returns, figuring out how to fill the roster out around he and Durant will be next.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 2 Trade Packages To Send Washington Wizards Star Bradley Beal To Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn has an X-factor in Ben Simmons, who was acquired in the deal for Harden. Could the Brooklyn Nets look to move on from him after he didn’t make an appearance with the team this season? If that is the route they take, a sign-and-trade for Bradley Beal could be explored.
Over at Bleacher Report, Brooklyn was named the surprising landing spot for Bradley Beal in free agency. Beal is eligible for his own max deal with the Washington Wizards should he decline his player option as well.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 2 Trade Packages To Send Washington Wizards Star Bradley Beal To Brooklyn Nets
There is a deal that could be made should the Wizards decide they do not want to commit that kind of money to Beal. Simmons could fill their void at the point guard position and other pieces could be of interest. Cam Thomas is a microwave scorer, Joe Harris is a deadly 3-point shooter and Nicolas Claxton has some upside as a center entering restricted free agency.
Working out a sign-and-trade centered around Beal, however, is likely the last resort for Washington. All indications are that they want to retain their All-Star for the long-term and are willing to pay him the large contract.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 2 Trade Packages To Send Washington Wizards Star Bradley Beal To Brooklyn Nets
But, the Brooklyn Nets could certainly dream about making another Big 3 to compete with in the Eastern Conference. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Bradley Beal would be a handful to slow down, as that is essentially an All-Star team on offense.
