Finding credible trade rumors around the Brooklyn Nets these days is like mining for diamonds. GM Sean Marks comes from the Gregg Popovich Spurs tree, as he keeps things under wraps. There simply aren't many leaks coming out of Brooklyn.

However, we can look at what the Nets need and then try to guess what they may look to do with just a few days to go before the 2022 NBA Trade deadline.

Nets 2022 NBA Trade Deadline Need

Over the first couple months of the season, the Nets were a surprisingly good defensive team. They had the sixth-rated defense through mid-December before their record 10 players landed in health and safety protocols. But over their last 15 games, they've had the 27th best defense. It has all fallen apart recently on that end of the floor.

Kevin Durant's post All-Star break return will help since he's an under rated wing stopper and rim protector. But the Nets don't want to ask too much of KD either. They need even more help.

If the team wants to make a title push, they're going to have to bring in some help on the defensive end. The thing that makes this tricky is that they would like whoever they're bringing in to be able to shoot as well, so that the incoming players don't dramatically alter their offensive schemes.

Their best defensive non-star players, like DeAndre' Bembry, Bruce Brown and Nic Claxton, don't offer much by way of floor spacing. Blake Griffin hasn't found his shot this season. There have been too many times this year that teams can simply “junk” things up by ignoring non-shooters and doubling the Nets stars. 

They could use a good 3-n-D player or two.

They could look at a player like Kenrich Williams.

“For teams inquiring about adding Oklahoma City swingman Kenrich Williams, the Thunder's asking price has so far been categorized as a first-round pick,” reports Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

The Nets' first available pick they can trade is the 2028 first. That's too valuable to use on Williams, but he profiles as one of the better 3-and-D players on a very cost-effective contract. While a player like Mikal Bridges on the Phoenix Suns would be mostly regarded as untouchable, Williams being on the Oklahoma City Thunder (14-34) means he can likely be obtained.

Perhaps the Thunder would come down on their asking price if the Nets were willing to include Day'Ron Sharpe and a second round pick? Not likely, but it's worth checking to see how flexible Thunder GM Sam Presti's position may be.

Dorian Finney-Smith on the Dallas Mavericks might be someone the Nets could try to acquire. DFS isn't the league's best defender or shooter, but he's pretty good at both and for just $4 million in salary, he's the type of player the Nets should at least call Mavs' owner Mark Cuban about.

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Here's another update from Jake Fischer:

“In efforts to bolster their roster around Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving, the Nets remain engaged in conversations regarding Jevon Carter, Bruce Brown and to a lesser extent Nic Claxton, sources said.”

At this point, it would hurt to part with Claxton, but if he's not in the long-term plan, at just 22 years old with a significant injury history, it does make sense to explore trading the third-year Georgia product–the only name Fischer mentions with any real trade value.

We got a little more intel recently from Marc Stein via Substack:

“The Nets have pledged to find Paul Millsap a new home and have granted the former All-Star forward, who turns 37 on deadline day, leave from the team as they scour the market for a suitable trade. Swapping Millsap for more perimeter shooting, sources say, is among the Nets’ goals.”

Millsap won't have much positive trade value and won't land them any quality shooters on his own. If they attached a young player or draft capital on top, they might get themselves in the ballpark for Indiana Pacers swingman Justin Holiday. The Pacers are reportedly seeking a couple of second rounders for Jrue's brother, but there are also reports he's not vaccinated so if he's resolute in his stance, the Nets would be ponying up for another part-time player. That could be a non-starter despite his seamless fit into Steve Nash's rotation.

Kyrie Irving is a superstar and worth putting up with whatever distraction he presents. They may not feel the same way about Holiday. Still if they're willing to allow more part-time spots, it's crucial that they check what that would cost them because Holiday would be such a good fit. He's in the top 25 in triples made and offers serviceable defense, too.

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Portland Trail Blazers 3-ann-d prototype Robert Covington is a name lots of teams have their eye on. He's been one of the better help-defenders in the NBA, and his presence allows teams to switch without detracting from floor spacing. RoCo is a very willing and capable shooter. He hasn't looked like the same players he's been in years past, but at just 31 years old, it's very possible he's saving himself for a true title run.

P.J. Tucker looked pretty much washed when he was last with the James Harden-less Houston Rockets, only to find the fountain of youth when he landed with Milwaukee in 2021. He looks even better now in Miami. It wouldn't be surprising in the slightest if Covington had a resurgence in him, although I've struggled to come up with win-win deals given his salary.

If the Nets were willing to part with Nic Claxton, Cam Thomas or Kessler Edwards (their young players with the most trade value) maybe they could find a way to utilize one of their trade exceptions and bring back a helpful veteran Steve Nash could trust down the home stretch.

The stakes are extremely high. There are few rumors coming out of the Nets' camp, one of which says that James Harden will explore free agency this summer. Who knows what will happen?

We did out best to place odds on the chance the Big 3 of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving are all back on the Nets for next season in the most recent “Nothing But Nets” podcast. 

If you were really worried about losing one of the Big 3, for example, and there is no clear timetable yet for Joe Harris' return, it makes sense to explore trading Harris. That opens up some “all in” options. Could they potentially tempt the Detroit Pistons with a package centered around their (possibly very valuable if far off) post-Big 3 era 2028 first and Harris? Maybe they'd have to kick in Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton to get the Pistons to even listen. But could a Big 3.5 of Durant, Irving, Harden and Grant win the title and help convince them to all stay long-term?

There was a recent rumor that the New York Knicks might be open to parting with Evan Fournier. The French sharpshooter isn't a great contract value, but he's healthier now than Joe Harris and could help immediately if Marks could sweeten the deal somehow to tempt Knicks President Leon Rose.

That last options aren't likely, but they illustrate how many more conversations they could have if they were willing to look at this season as a possible last season for their Big 3. Harris makes $17.3 million, so if they don't feel they can bank on him being fully healthy again this year (he's reportedly suffered setbacks in his return from ankle surgery), maybe they increase their aggressiveness in talks with him.

But their top need is defense, and they don't want to sacrifice shooting to get it. A player who can deliver on both ends of the floor would be something the Nets could really use this deadline. If they don't find it, they may regret not doing more to help the Big 3 both win a title and convince them all to stick around for another few years.