FanPost

A big trade is on the way

Without a big time talent already on the roster, it's going to be hard to sign even one star player next year. Nets need to have at least one star already on the roster to attract a second one. Unless Russell becomes that first star, I believe they'll look to trade for one. They have the assets to make a big trade, especially looking at the most recent trades for all-stars. Here's a rundown of the Nets assets:

  • Expiring contracts: DeMarre Carroll, Kenneth Faried, Darrell Arthur
  • Young player on cheap contract: Russell, LeVert, RHJ, Allen, Dinwiddie, Musa
  • Draft picks: Denver first (protected 1-12), all future Nets firsts, Knicks 2019 second round pick

Over the last two years, there have been a number of All-Stars traded. Nets have the assets to best each of those trades:

Paul George

Indiana traded Paul George for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.

Nets equivalent: D'Angelo Russell and Caris LeVert

Jimmy Butler

Chicago traded Jimmy Butler and the 16th overall pick for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the No. 7 overall pick.

Nets equivalent: D'Angelo Russell, Caris LeVert, and the right to swap first round picks with the more favorable of the Nets or Denver 2019 pick.

Kyrie Irving

Cavaliers traded Kyrie Irving for Isaiah Thomas, forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn Nets' unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick.

Nets equivalent: D'Angelo Russell, Joe Harris, Dzanan Musa, and a 2019 first round pick

DeMarcus Cousins

Kings traded Cousins (and Casspi) for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, New Orleans' 2017 first-round pick and 2017 second-round pick (via the Sixers)

Nets equivalent: Caris LeVert, DeMarre Carroll, Darrell Arthur, Nets 2019 1st round pick and Knicks 2019 2nd round pick

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I want them to go after Anthony Davis. This is a crucial year for the Pelicans. Davis is a free agent in the summer of 2020 but they'll have to make a decision on him sooner than that because he'll have much more leverage to dictate the destinations he's willing to be traded to if he's an impending free agent. The Nets biggest competitor in trading for a star are the Celtics, but they can't have both Kyrie and Davis on the roster together because of the Rose Rule.

Given the talent level and contract situation, I think the Cousins trade is the closest. Davis will be more sought after than Cousins. Still, I think an offer of Caris LeVert, D'Angelo Russell, DeMarre Carroll and two first round picks would be more than enough to get Davis, especially given the most recent trades.

In free agency, Nets could become a destination for Kawhi(or Durant or Klay).

Dinwiddie / Napier

Crabbe / Musa

Kawhi / Harris

Davis / Kurucs

Allen / Room MLE signing

TL;DR: if by the trade deadline, Russell hasn't become a star that can attract other stars and the Pelicans are struggling, Nets have the assets to trade for Anthony Davis to attract a second star in free agency