Brooklyn Nets Receive: C Jusuf Nurkic, G/F Shaedon Sharpe, 2023 First-Round Pick (POR), 2026 First-Round Pick (POR)
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F Mikal Bridges
Sure, the middle is the worst place for an NBA team. The question is, what’s the best way to get out of it? Some will say that you need to plunge to the bottom. Yes, we’re talking about tanking.
Rather than flirt with the playoffs on a yearly basis, some would argue a team should stockpile lottery picks until they’re ready to compete again.
Others will hate this approach. They’ll argue that staying competitive is important. Eventually, a competitive team will attract the players they need to take the next step. Realistically, there is no one right way to build an NBA team.
Either of these approaches can work – and they have. The Nets are just risking doing neither in a time when even recently mediocre teams like the Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs are even forgoing middling seasons in favor of truly rebuilding.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Portland Trail Blazers & Brooklyn Nets Updates
The Nest would be avoiding falling into an unfortunate cycle and could add an intriguing talent in a loaded draft. Bridges is best suited being someone’s co-star in win-now mode, not being the top player on a team that is starting over.
Is this the right approach for the Nets?
