The Brooklyn Nets are in an interesting position heading into the 2023-24 NBA season. This team has an impressive asset base. They’ve also got a platoon of quality defensive players. Otherwise, they don’t have much else.
What will they do? It’s hard to say. The Nets are one of the harder teams around the league to predict. They could opt to hold onto their assets. The Nets could bide their time. Alternatively, they could push their chips in at any moment.
All of which makes them a fun team to write about. There’s a lot of speculation here. So, without further ado, let’s dive in. Here are three trades we think the Nets ought to consider this summer.
Trade No. 1 – Facilitate Damian Lillard To Miami Heat
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F/C Ben Simmons, G/F Duncan Robinson, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHI via BKN), 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Tyler Herro
Miami Heat Receive: G Damian Lillard
When you’ve got an asset base like Brooklyn’s, you’re likely to get linked to a lot of situations. That makes sense. The Nets have the means to make a lot of deals. It’s entirely possible that they’ll play the role of facilitator this season.
Perhaps that’s why plenty of folks are expecting them to flip Ben Simmons for Tyler Herro. Of course, that also just makes good sense. Simmons is widely held to have the worst contract in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Nets could use a player like Herro.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Tyler Herro, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat & Brooklyn Nets Updates
Specifically, they could use a guard who can create his own offense. Herro would balance this roster out. In the meantime, Miami gets their guy, and the Blazers get a fresh start with four unprotected first-round picks. On the other hand, is there a deal the Nets could make strictly for their own benefit?
Trade No. 2 – Acquire Jalen Suggs From Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic Receive: G/F Royce O’Neale, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via ORL)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Jalen Suggs
In fact, a look at this Nets roster reveals a clear need. This team needs a point guard. It feels unlikely that they’ll lean on Ben Simmons this summer. His limitations in the halfcourt have made him a tough sell as a primary ball-handler. The Nets will likely look elsewhere.
Is Suggs the obvious answer? No. He’s got his own struggles with half-court creation. On the other hand, he’s much younger than Simmons. Suggs also has a semblance of a shot. If the Magic see potential in him, they’d be wise to take a flier on him.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic, & Brooklyn Nets Updates
Meanwhile, the last thing that Orlando needs is a point guard. This team is stacked with quality young players at this position. At some point, this team is going to have to move one of their young point guards. By contrast, they could use a 3-and-D wing like O’Neale. In fact, the Nets have a logjam of wings they need to clear up as well. Keep that in mind.
Trade No. 3 – Acquire Payton Pritchard From Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics Receive: F Dorian Finney-Smith
Brooklyn Nets Receive: F/C Al Horford, G Payton Pritchard
Meanwhile, Payton Pritchard may not be an obvious choice for Brooklyn either. Unlike Jalen Suggs, he’s a lethal floor spacer. Still, Pritchard isn’t exactly a dynamic half-court creator. Are we sure about this?
Yes. Mikal Bridges flashed plenty of upside as a creator last season. The Nets can build their offense around him. Having Pritchard’s floor spacing will help, and the Nets could likely land him without surrendering draft capital. Meanwhile, Horford will be a solid backup big man for Nic Claxton.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets & Boston Celtics Updates
It just so happens that the Boston Celtics don’t need him anymore. This team acquired Kristaps Porzingis this summer, and they’ve already got Robert Williams III on the roster. On the other hand, they also lost Grant Williams. Dorian Finney-Smith could serve as a functional replacement for him. If the Nets want to trade him, that is – this is one unpredictable team.
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