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The Nets have traded Dzanan Musa and a 2021 second-round pick to the Pistons in exchange for combo guard Bruce Brown, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The second-round pick the Nets are trading is via Toronto.
The Nets are sending the 2021 second-round pick via Toronto, per sources. Musa was the 29th overall pick in the 2018 Draft, a versatile 6-9 forward. Nets like Brown's defensive ability, honed in University of Miami program. https://t.co/TzVM04uMC7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 16, 2020
Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reports the Nets also provided the Pistons with unspecified cash considerations.
The Nets also receive a $494,000 trade exception in the process, John Hollinger of The Athletic reports.
Brown, a Miami product who was selected with the 42nd pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, is a 6’4” guard known for his defense. The 24-year-old guard has played in a total of 132 games, starting in 99, for the Pistons averaging 6.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 23.4 minutes per game.
Ironically, Brown made his NBA debut against the Nets in October 2018 posting two rebounds, and one assist in 19 minutes of play. He also had games of 22, his career high, and 17 vs. the Nets this season.
The Nets will save $400,000 in the exchange. Musa will make $2 million this season, Brown $1.6 million. His salary is currently non-guaranteed, but Bobby Marks reports that for the deal to go down, the Nets will have to guarantee it for the season.
Several NBA pundits praised the deal, an exchange of the 29th and 42nd picks in the 2018 Draft, among them Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer and Zach Lowe of ESPN.
Good trade for Brooklyn. Bruce Brown is fantastic defensively and made great progress offensively last season. Shooting consistency is a concern but he can facilitate a bit too. He should be a rotation fixture if the Nets deal Spencer Dinwiddie, who has received trade interest. https://t.co/LtrLcoPelM
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 16, 2020
Like this trade a lot for the Nets. Brown should crack their rotation. Defends like hell, made real strides on offense last year -- both as shooter and secondary playmaker. Long way to go on that end, but trajectory is positive. https://t.co/wI6aJK5peL
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) November 16, 2020
Jonathan Givony of ESPN and Draft Express suggested that the move could also have implications for Wednesday’s NBA Draft...
Some 2020 draft implications, as the Nets have been connected to guards projected around the 19th pick, such as R.J. Hampton and Tyrell Terry. Adding Brown might make them more likely to pick a wing like Josh Green or Aaron Nesmith, especially w/the interest Joe Harris is drawing https://t.co/p9Vq0YCJWM
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) November 16, 2020
In a video interview with the Pistons official site back in July, Brown spoke about the possibility of moving to the wing in 2020-21.
The Nets acquired the pick used in the trade from Toronto at the 2019 trade deadline, part of the Greg Monroe salary dump.
Brooklyn still has rights to two and possibly three second rounders next year. They hold rights to the Suns and Hawks picks and if the Pacers don’t make the playoffs, their pick as well. The team traded their own 2021 second-rounder in the Dwight Howard trade in July of 2018.
For the 21-year-old Musa, the trade is a new start after two disappointing seasons in Brooklyn. The 6’9” Bosnian never seemed to get his footing with the Nets and was often shuttled back and forth between Brooklyn and Long Island.
Musa provided NetsDaily with a statement on his time with Brooklyn...
Statement from Dzanan Musa (@DzMusa)
— Chris Milholen (@CMilholenSB) November 16, 2020
“I would like to thank the whole Nets organization. You drafted me and made my dreams come true. It was a pleasure to be a part of you guys. Good luck in the future and see you down the road.”
Go to Detroit Bad Boys, our Pistons sister site on SB Nation, for the reaction in the Motor City.
- Sources: Brooklyn Nets get guard Bruce Brown in trade with Detroit Pistons - Adrian Wojnarowski - ESPN
- Nets-Pistons trade grades: Who wins the Bruce Brown-Dzanan Musa deal? - Kevin Pelton - ESPN
- Report: Nets trading Dzanan Musa, 2021 second-round pick to Detroit for Bruce Brown - Lou DiPietro - WFAN
- Nets acquire Bruce Brown from Pistons to open NBA offseason - Brian Lewis - New York Post
- Nets acquiring Bruce Brown shows defense is a priority in Brooklyn under Steve Nash - Kristian Winfield - New York Daily News
- AP source: Pistons trading Brown to Nets for Musa and pick - Noah Trister - AP
- Who are the Nets getting in guard Bruce Brown? - Alex Schiffer - The Athletic New York