Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
Another complicating factor in the Durant negotiations was Brooklyn’s draft capital – or more specifically, lack thereof.
After all, the Nets owe their first-round picks, whether outright or via swap, to the Houston Rockets through to 2027. For that reason, the Nets have little incentive to bottom out – they need a package that keeps them competitive in exchange for Durant.
This deal may not immediately do so. After all, Jaren Jackson Jr. is slated to miss a fair chunk of 2022-23, and who knows how he’ll look upon his return.
On the other hand, the Nets only owe the Rockets swap rights ahead of the 2023 draft. They could afford a single down year if they thought they were making a deal that would get them back to the playoffs in 2023-24.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
This deal almost certainly would do that. Outside of sharing injury concerns, Jackson Jr. and Ben Simmons are a match made in heaven. They have complementary strengths as elite defenders: in fact, they could be the most formidable defensive duo in the league.
Moreover, they have complementary weaknesses – Jackson Jr. is a subpar ball-handler who spaces the floor, and Simmons is an elite ball-handler who can’t shoot.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
All told, bringing that duo together, along with a complimentary player in Brooks, a high-upside prospect in Williams and some draft capital sounds like an opportunity the Nets can’t miss. If, of course, Durant is set on leaving. If he is, should the Grizzlies target him?
