Some teams around the NBA are challenging to read. What will they do next? We’re not sure. These teams aren’t title contenders but aren’t rebuilding, either.
Take the Brooklyn Nets. This team is especially difficult to talk about. The Nets are mediocre. In theory, they ought to rebuild. Unfortunately, owing control of their draft 2027 to the Houston Rockets makes that a difficult proposition.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans are also a bit difficult to get a handle on. This team is a dark horse contender, but constant injury concerns surround them.
Still, the Pelicans do have the talent. Could they shore up that talent by acquiring Mikal Bridges from the Nets?
NBA Trade Proposal: New Orleans Pelicans Land Brooklyn Nets’ Mikal Bridges
Brooklyn Nets Receive: C Jonas Valanciunas, G Kira Lewis Jr., 2024 First-Round Pick (LAL via NOP), 2025 First-Round Pick (NOP), 2027 First-Round Pick (NOP)
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G/F Mikal Bridges
Nobody ever said that building an NBA contender was easy. The competition is fierce. Several factors can get in your way even if your team is talented enough to win.
Look at the Nets. This team had Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving on their roster. Pencil in an NBA championship, right? Wrong. The personalities on that team seemingly clashed, and the Nets collapsed.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, New Orleans Pelicans, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Could the Pelicans collapse? Zion Williamson has been a constant subject of trade rumors. There’s a lot of talent on this team, but it isn’t likely to amount to much without Williamson. Does this deal keep him in town?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
Sure. The Pelicans already look like fringe contenders. If they make this deal, they should be serious title threats. After all, Bridges should be a perfect addition to this roster. In theory, he’s arguably the best 3-and-D wing in the NBA.
In practice, his defense has regressed on the Nets. We’re not concerned. Bridges has been this team’s first offensive option – he carries a tremendous burden on both ends of the floor.
Alongside Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum, Bridges should be able to find an appropriate role as a prominent offensive option who locks down the other end of the floor.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, New Orleans Pelicans, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Does this deal leave the Pelicans without much draft capital moving forward? Absolutely. It’s a price worth paying to put this amount of talent together.
Should the Nets move their best player?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
This would not be an easy decision for the Nets to make. Their fanbase would be disappointed. They’d be taking a plunge toward the bottom of the standings, and they wouldn’t even have a draft pick to show for it.
OK. Aren’t the Nets already near the bottom of the standings? Meanwhile, this team has a good collection of draft capital – but it isn’t elite. Perhaps they could move the bulk of it for a star. Has this team looked like they’re a star player away from title contention?
No. So, the Nets may want to take a longer view. Sure, they’ll end up sending the Rockets a strong pick or two. Following this deal, they’ll also have one of the very best collections of draft capital in the NBA.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, New Orleans Pelicans, Brooklyn Nets Updates
If the big market Nets could attract one star free agent, they could use that collection to trade for another star and get back to title contention. That seems like a fairly clear path forward to us.
