How This Trade Impacts Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets do not want to trade Kevin Durant. They made that much clear with how they handled negotiations with other teams. However, they need to be prepared for anything and should have an idea of what kind of packages they would be willing to accept should it reach that point.
This trade with the Toronto Raptors may not reach the level they were asking for this offseason, as Scottie Barnes Jr., who is the player the Nets wanted most, isn’t included as the Raptors won’t put him in a deal. But, it presents Brooklyn with a lot to like.
The Nets are extending their window to compete bringing in two young players in Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby. Trent, who is only 23, is already a solid 3-and-D player but he has potential, especially offensively, to develop into an All-Star. He is already knocking on the door of being a 20-point-per-game scorer with a little better efficiency on 2-point attempts.
Anunoby has a very high ceiling. Already an elite 3-and-D player, he can take his game to another level if he can improve with the ball in his hands. He is one of the least efficient players in the NBA off the dribble and needs to improve his playmaking skills as well. If he can make even incremental improvements to be slightly below average, his production would skyrocket.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets & Toronto Raptors Updates
Khem Birch provides the team with some insurance in the frontcourt as they have been short at the center position the last two postseason.
Receiving three unprotected first-round picks helps Brooklyn recoup the draft picks they have traded away in recent years and enables them to make more trades down the road to bring in more established talent.
