The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly looking to create their own Big Three by acquiring a third star to play alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. In order to do so, Brooklyn will reportedly use some of its young talent to get a deal done.
The playoff picture was just about rounding into form before the 2019-20 season's indefinite hiatus due to the coronavirus outbreak. Some teams were already looking forward to the draft lottery, while some teams in the middle of the pack were looking to play it out to see how their season unfolded.
Depending on what happens from here on out (should the season resume), there will be some front offices who may consider pushing the reset button and parting ways with their respective stars. Brooklyn certainly offers an intriguing mix of young talent, with promising studs such as Caris Levert, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Jarrett Allen. Likewise, they could add some draft picks to sweeten the pot.
Here are three teams most likely to trade the Brooklyn Nets a superstar:
1. Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are long overdue for a rebuild. With 5.5 games separating them from the no. 8 seed Orlando Magic, it's very likely that the Wizards are headed to another lottery selection for the second straight season. Washington finds itself in no man's land and a reset is probably the best direction for them moving forward.
With that, the Nets should target Wizards All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal. The two-time All-Star is without a doubt Washington's best trade asset. He is also a prime trade target for teams looking to bolster their chances at a championship.
At 26 years old, Beal is just about to enter the prime of his career. While he has repeatedly expressed his loyalty to the capital city, it is likely that the frustration of losing comes to his senses soon enough. He certainly wouldn't want to waste his best years on a losing squad.
If the Nets are to make a trade, they should really consider the Wizards star. Beal would instantly create a very potent offensive trio alongside K.D. and Kyrie. The former 3rd overall pick is having the best individual season of his career in 2019-20, boasting averages of 30.5 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and knocking down 3.0 triples per contest.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are supposed to be one of the top teams in the NBA. On paper, they have a legitimate championship-caliber squad. Led by two of the top 20 players in the league in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, the Sixers also boast a solid supporting cast around their star tandem.
However, they haven't played to their full potential this season and had just the 6th best record in the Eastern Conference prior to the hiatus. Certainly, that's not a good place to be in for a team with a lot of talent.
Moreover, there is brewing concern with Simmons and Embiid's fit together. The Aussie point guard's inability and unwillingness to shoot and space the floor has forced the Cameroonian to play farther from the basket and not take advantage of his strength by playing down on the post. Surely, if the Sixers bow out of the playoffs early, it's possible that they would need to make the tough decision between Embiid and Simmons.
Should Philadelphia make one of their stars available, Brooklyn should pounce on this opportunity immediately. Ideally, Simmons should be their target given his youth. Moreover, he's just much less of an injury risk than Embiid is. They are already dealing with major injuries to their two returning stars next season in Durant and Irving. Adding another one with a not-so-pleasing injury history could potentially create more concerns.
Meanwhile, Simmons should fit in nicely alongside Durant and Irving. With Simmons playing point guard, perhaps Irving can shift to the two-guard spot, which is probably a better role for him. Likewise, he and Durant would create a nightmare combo on the defensive end with their length and athleticism.
3. Portland Trail Blazers
After reaching the Western Conference Finals last season, the Portland Trail Blazers find themselves on the outside looking in on this year's playoff race. Injuries have certainly played a part here, but other teams in the West are also getting better.
The Blazers do still have a shot of making the postseason with just 3.5 games separating them from eighth seed Memphis Grizzlies. But certainly, for a team that made the top four last year, bowing out early in the first round is a step in the wrong direction. With that, perhaps Portland might consider pushing the reset button and consider selling some of their valuable assets to acquire for their future.
Should the Blazers announce a fire sale of their team, the Nets should consider targeting C.J. McCollum over All-Star point guard Damian Lillard. In any other scenario, Lillard would be the more desirable choice. However, he wouldn't make a lot of sense for Brooklyn as he already plays the same position as Irving.
Meanwhile, McCollum fits the bill as a shooting guard that they slot right between Durant and Irving. The 27-year old two-guard doesn't carry the same star value as that of a Beal, Simmons, Embiid, or Lillard. Nonetheless, he is still one of the best offensive two-guards in the league today.
K.D. and Kyrie will likely carry most of the playmaking duties once they are back on the court. That, however, shouldn't be a problem for McCollum as he is very much accustomed to playing off the ball. McCollum is as good as sniper from beyond the arc as anyone and could hurt defenses offensively in a variety of ways. Likewise, he is also adept on moving without the ball, something that could add another dynamic with what should be a versatile Nets offense.
If the Nets acquire McCollum, he and Durant can finally “worry about what goes on at the top of things” on the same side.
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