Brooklyn Nets Receive: C Bam Adebayo, G Kyle Lowry, G Tyler Herro, 2023 First-Round Pick (MIA) 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2028 First-Round Pick (Swap – MIA), 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: F Kevin Durant, G/F Ben Simmons
Governing rules are necessary. In the NBA, many of them serve to ensure that arrangements between players and teams remain as fair as possible.
Having said that, they sure can be annoying.
If not for two rules, Durant may already be on the Heat. The first of those rules is the Stepien rule. It says that teams can’t go back-to-back drafts without a first-round pick.
Since the Heat have already traded their 2025 selection, they can’t trade their 2024 or 2026 picks. If they could, they’d be in a position to make the Nets the best offer they’ll receive all summer.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: Miami Heat Most Determined Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant Trade Suitor
If not, that is, for the second rule. The CBA dictates that teams can’t trade for a player on a max rookie extension if they already have a player on such a deal. In other words, the Nets can’t acquire Bam Adebayo unless they’re moving Ben Simmons.
This deal has them swapping sides. Does that make for good value for the Nets?
