An NBA general manager needs to identify their priorities. What position is this team in? Are they title contenders? If not, should they be collecting assets?
For the Portland Trail Blazers, the priorities are obvious. This team is looking towards the future. The Blazers are rebuilding. They should be prioritizing assets above all else.
What about the Brooklyn Nets? This team’s priorities are a little less clear. The Nets would likely rebuild – if they had their draft picks. That’s not a clear path forward since they owe their first-rounders to the Houston Rockets through to 2027.
Could they acquire Malcolm Brogdon from the Blazers as a result?
NBA Trade Idea
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F/C Ben Simmons, 2027 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – PHX via BKN)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon, C Robert Williams III
On the other hand, priorities change. The NBA is notoriously unpredictable. Teams find themselves in situations that they never expected to be in. In today’s star-driven league, that’s even truer than ever.
With that said, some folks predicted the instant demise of the last Nets superteam. Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving were a potent offensive trio, but they’re an equally potent combination of personalities. In the end, they couldn’t seem to get along well enough to stay together.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Brooklyn Nets Updates
By contrast, Damian Lillard stuck with the Blazers for a long time. Perhaps they took his loyalty for granted. In the end, Lillard would request a trade. As a result, the Blazers are rebuilding.
Should they send Brogdon to Brooklyn?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
The Blazers are widely expected to move Brogdon. The only questions pertain to what they’ll receive for him. Brogdon is a good player. Is he worth an unprotected first?
We’re not sure. Brogdon’s play would warrant a bigger return than this one. Unfortunately, he’s an injury risk. By packaging him with Williams III, the Blazers may be lucky to receive a lottery-protected first in this buyer’s market.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Yes, Simmons is injury-prone as well. The Blazers shouldn’t care. They may try to incorporate him into their lineups. Still, even if this is dead money, it’s worth absorbing to land a pick.
Should the Nets give that pick up?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
Some Nets fans will disagree with this deal. They’d prefer to hang onto their assets to trade for a star. Fair – but can the Nets attract a star as currently constructed?
Remember: this is the era of player empowerment. A player will comfortably inform a team that if they trade for them, they won’t report to training camp. Meanwhile, the Nets appear to be stuck in the mud. Why would a star be interested in joining them?
Perhaps incremental improvement would serve Brooklyn. If they put a respectable product together, a star could force their way onto this big market team.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Adding Brogdon could help, and Williams III could be a replacement for Claxton if the Nets can’t retain him in free agency this summer. That ought to be a priority for this organization.
