Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
Of course, there’s another unique snag in any Durant deal for the Nets. Unlike most franchises, this group has little incentive to bottom out.
After all, they owe their first-round picks, whether outright or via swap, to the Houston Rockets through to 2027. Granted, they could capitalize on the swaps by bottoming out now – the Rockets will likely stink in 2022-23, so if the Nets did the same, they’d probably be landing a lottery pick regardless.
With that said, the window for that plan is likely closing. The Rockets own their own picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024 and 2025, so they’ll be looking to return to competitive basketball by then.
Meanwhile, the Nets may have already missed that bus. After all, Durant is staying – for now. Suppose the Nets are hovering around .500 by the trade deadline. That’s not going to be sufficient for Durant, but on the other hand, it puts them too far ahead (or, behind) to out-tank the league’s bottom feeders for the rest of the year.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
In that specific event, the Nets need a deal that improves their future without demolishing their present. This deal does that. They get a young potential star in Maxey, as well as a first-round pick and a swap. Meanwhile, Harris is a solid rotation piece.
Paired with Maxey, Ben Simmons and (if they keep him) Kyrie Irving, he should be able to help keep them in the playoff hunt.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
With that said, it takes them out of the championship race. How much further does it put the 76ers ahead in it?
