The Brooklyn Nets are in a sorry state after the trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving left for other teams. If the franchise wants to go back to being competitive, though, an NBA analysis has suggested trading for Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet this season.
The Nets are set for a challenging 2024-25 season as they navigate the aftermath of their high-profile roster changes. Following the departures of Durant, Harden, and Irving, the team is focusing on rebuilding while attempting to regain control over their draft assets. With their own picks now accessible, the Nets are poised to tank strategically, aiming for one of the league’s worst records to enhance their lottery odds.
This season’s roster features a mix of veterans and young talents. Players like Dennis Schröder and Bojan Bogdanović are likely to be auditioned for potential trades before the deadline. Meanwhile, Cam Johnson, though signed for the long term, may also find himself in discussions as the team assesses its future direction.
Ben Simmons remains a pivotal figure, serving either as an expiring contract or a candidate for a buyout, depending on his performance. The Nets are also evaluating their young prospects, including Cam Thomas, who is expected to take on a significant scoring role, potentially leading the team in field goal attempts.
Getting a talented floor general is a good first step to take for the Nets. According to Andy Bailey’s analysis for Bleacher Report, trading for VanVleet is the right move to make, no matter how ambitious it is.
The Houston Rockets have a number of young guards who may be ready to run the team sooner rather than later, including Jalen Green, Amen Thompson and incoming rookie Reed Sheppard.
But there’s an established veteran floor general who’ll take up 30-plus minutes per game in Fred VanVleet. If Houston looks to move him in an effort to open up some backcourt playing time, the Brooklyn Nets should be interested.
The outlook for the Nets might be bleak, but they are laying the groundwork for a brighter future. With a focus on player development and asset acquisition, they aim to rebound from their recent struggles. Hopefully, a player of VanVleet’s caliber can end up playing for the team.
As they embark on this rebuilding phase, Brooklyn fans will need to be patient, but the promise of a stronger team in the coming years could make the current challenges worthwhile. Expect a season of growing pains, but also one that could set the stage for a resurgence in the near future.
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