NBA Trade Season: What might the Nets consider doing?

The SB Nation NBA family of blogs is back with another theme day, and this time we're talking trades. From team needs to team assets, to then being asked to speculate on specific moves. Who doesn't like to talk trades, especially one night after your team fails to close out a game against a team that was 4-10 on the road entering their matchup?

Here's what Net Income and I came up with, regarding your Brooklyn Nets.

Is your team a buyer, seller or both?

Well, obviously when you're 13-11 and a "win now" team, you have to be a buyer in this market. This team isn't perfect, so there are certainly ways to improve it. And, no, NetsDaily readers, I'm not talking specifically about getting rid of Avery Johnson. I'm talking about the product on the court, which as currently constructed is in need of something, a move, big or small, to shake things up. So, yeah, this team is definitely a buyer.

If buyer, what are the needs?

Let's start with a power forward, more specifically, an athletic '4' who can shoot jumpers. On one hand you have a guy like Kris Humphries who serves a sole purpose -- rebound -- while on the other hand you're bringing in Andray Blatche off the bench, someone who is capable of putting up a 22-point, 6-rebound performance, as much so as putting up a 5-point, 5-rebound line. There's just no consistency at the power forward position, really, and part of that has to do with the fluctuation in minutes at the '4' which falls on Avery, really. There's also no stretch at the '4'. In an ideal world they could find a power forward who can step out and stretch the floor. The question is, though, is "that player" available?

Other needs would be an athletic wing and/or a shooter to help spread the floor.

...what players are available?

Of course the talk is that MarShon Brooks and/or Kris Humphries are possibly available. But beyond that, we can only speculate.

See also: [Nets Trade Assets]

What are your top three trade ideas?

(via Net Income)

Trade 1 - The Rumor: Ersan Ilyasova for Kris Humphries. (January 15)

The Nets and Bucks may both be thinking, "should we have given these guys as much money as we did??" The Nets gave Humphries $24 million over two (after the Bobcats were reportedly ready to offer him $29 million over three). The Bucks gave Ilyasova $40 million over five ($32.4 million guaranteed) after the Nets and Raptors were thinking of giving him four year deals. Neither are playing up to expectations. In fact, both have been consigned to the bench in recent games. It's not that either isn't capable of matching last year's numbers. It's just that they aren't doing it consistently or at the salary level. Call it the "Buyers Remorse Times Two" trade.

Ilyasova on the Nets would give them a deep threat at the four which they don't currently have. Hump on the Bucks significantly reduces their exposure in the out years of Ilyasova's deal, a time when they will need to make decisions on a number of their young players.

Does it work under CBA? Just about, but the Bucks might have to throw in a minimum contract, of which they have three: Joel Pryzbila, Doron Lamb and Marquis Daniels.

Trade 2 - The Tough Choice: Daequan Cook for MarShon Brooks.

Let's face it. This won't be easy. Brooks value keeps dropping and with each DNP-CD or Avery diss, it drops further. Moreover, Brooks makes only $1.1 million, so getting a good return will be difficult to achieve under the CBA. Cook was sent to the Rockets in the James Harden deal. He is a year older than Brooks and is a near 40-percent shooter from deep, which could be helpful. He is also an expiring contract.

Does it work under the CBA? Not with Cook making $3.1 million it doesn't. In theory, the Nets would have to add two players to the mix. If the trade was made before January 10, the Nets could include Josh Childress and he could be waived at no coast to Houston. Better Avery Johnson get value from him.

Trade 3 - The "Big" Risk: Amir Johnson and Landry Fields and a swap of protected first rounders for Kris Humphries. (January 15)

Amir Johnson is seen by many as having big potential. Landry Fields played well in New York last season. But neither are performing at levels commensurate with their pay. Fields, who's been hurt, is in the first year of a three-year, $18.75 million deal no one but Fields thinks is a good deal. Johnson is owed $19.7 million over three ($17.6 million guaranteed). Both are young, Johnson 25, Fields is 24. Johnson is a project but Avery has a good record with projects. Could be Blatche insurance if Project Zero signs elsewhere. Hump saves the Raptors $11 million in 2014-15. Of course, it hurts the Nets. Swap first rounders might help balance the books.

Does it work under the CBA? Think so. Johnson does have a 5 per cent trade kicker.

• NBA Trade Season Kicks Off - SB Nation