Brooklyn Nets Receive: G/F Mikal Bridges, F Jae Crowder, F/C Dario Saric, F Cameron Johnson, 2023 First-Round Pick (PHO), 2025 First-Round Pick (PHO), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHO), 2028 First-Round Pick (Swap – PHO)
Phoenix Suns Receive: F Kevin Durant
To begin with, let’s get one thing straight – the Brooklyn Nets cannot trade for Deandre Ayton with Ben Simmons still on their roster. On the other hand, that’s probably OK. Realistically, Ayton can’t play with Simmons anyway.
After all, we saw Simmons struggle to co-exist with Joel Embiid. Their combined lack of spacing posed several problems when they were teammates on the Philadelphia 76ers – and Embiid shoots threes. He happens to be better on the interior:
By contrast, that’s the only place Deandre Ayton scores.
Thus, the Nets are doubly unlikely to acquire Ayton. Without expanding the framework of a deal to include a third team landing Simmons, they can’t. Moreover, they shouldn’t.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets & Phoenix Suns Updates
At the same time, the Nets owe their first-round picks, whether outright or via swap, to the Houston Rockets through to 2027. If they end up trading Durant, they’ll be looking for a package that keeps them competitive.
Does this deal do enough in that regard?
