Why The Brooklyn Nets Make The Trade

The Brooklyn Nets may not get their dream return here, but they’re still acquiring two useful rotation players in exchange for Simmons.

Lu Dort may not be a household name, but he is one of the better perimeter defenders in the NBA. His three-point shooting isn’t as elite, but it’s still functional. He’s a solid complementary piece for an offense that will now be structured around Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

Meanwhile, Derrick Favors is a good defensive big man. The team could use one of those. Acquiring him would also allow the Nets to explore sign-and-trade possibilities with soon-to-be restricted free agent Nic Claxton.

Finally, the Nets stock up on draft capital. Between the picks they acquired along with Simmons in the Harden deal and these ones, they almost make up the capital they surrendered for Harden in the first place.

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Oddly enough, this deal would bring the team full circle. They’d be back to operating around a duo of Durant and Irving, and they’d have a solid supporting cast and a healthy amount of draft capital. It would be like the Harden trade never happened (unless you’re a Rockets fan).