The Brooklyn Nets are looking to make it back to the playoffs next season with the hope of winning a series or two to give the fanbase something to cheer about. One action that could increase their chances of achieving that goal would be to pull off a massive trade this offseason.
It should be noted that Brooklyn was once in the running to trade for Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard, but now that his camp has made it clear that he only wants to play for the Miami Heat, the Nets have to look elsewhere for their big trade of the summer. Unfortunately, there isn’t a bigger name than Lillard that Brooklyn has a good chance of trading for so they may have to trade for more than one player.
Nets Wire has covered that there are some in the media who believe that Brooklyn should turn their focus to getting someone like Heat guard Tyler Herro. Well, this mock trade suggested by Quenton Albertie of ClutchPoints has Brooklyn trading for Herro and then some:
The Mock Trade:
Brooklyn Nets receive: Tyler Herro and Anfernee Simons
Miami Heat receive: Damian Lillard, Spencer Dinwiddie, Royce O’Neale
Portland Trail Blazers receive: Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Noah Clowney, Nikola Jovic, Cam Thomas, 2027 first-round pick (via MIA), 2027 first-round pick (via BRK), 2027 first-round pick (via BRK), 2030 first-round pick (via MIA)
Should the Nets do this trade?
Getting Herro and Simons in this deal would be a great return for the Nets as they would acquire a couple of young guards who could be integral parts of the team’s future. Simons has developed into the kind of guard that can be a lead guard for a squad that is looking for a difference-maker at that position. Herro is the kind of guard that can get a bucket whenever it’s needed and after all of the changes that Brooklyn has went through, getting a player like that would be much appreciated.
On the other hand, for the Nets to be able to get Herro and Simons, they would have to give up Dinwiddie, O’Neale, Finney-Smith, Clowney, Thomas, and two first-round picks. If this trade were to happen, it would be hard to part with that many pieces, but Brooklyn would be fully embracing going young and would have a lot of players that can help the team as they mature together. Being able to have a team with Simons, Herro, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Nic Claxton would be a great situation.
Verdict: Yes, the Nets should do this trade.