Evolution Continues

[Jaboo]

The Brooklyn Nets continue to evolve their team in what is becoming a long and arduous process. Despite at one time actually being a playoff contender (the Nets were actually the 7th seed during Christmas) that all came to a screeching halt once January rolled in as the Nets are now in a league worst 2-17 slump. As the slump continues, the Nets made 2 trades that will likely play a major role in the Eastern Conference playoff race and may also have saved the Spurs season.

Despite being fan favorites due to their tenacious play, the Nets knew that Jrue Holiday and Serge Ibaka did not fit into their long term plans. While both players played the Nets style of ball of great defense and play making ability, they knew their impending free agency and likely maximum commanding salary would deem to large to bear. And with two small moves both players were shipped out in a trade involving 3 teams and could play a major role in the playoffs.

The Nets moved out Jrue Holiday, Serge Ibaka, Anderson Varejao, and Caron Butler for Dion Waiters, Richard Hollis-Jefferson, Willie Callie-Stein, Amir Johnson, and the Spurs 2019 first round pick. While the moves may not make major marks for the Nets this season, they arguably could have made a major impact on this years playoffs. Acquiring Ibaka allowed the Pistons to move Drummond in their Kemba Walker blockbuster. And trading Jrue Holiday and Varejao to the Spurs for Batum and then trading Batum to Chicago for Stein and Johnson likely made the Spurs a playoff team that no one wants to face and gives the Bulls the inarguable most talented starting 5 in the league.

But why did the Nets make these moves? For the Nets, it was simple, they acquired a 24 year old SG in Waiters that has all-star level talent and is locked into a deal for 4 additional years at a total that will likely be less than Ibakas. Waiters is a two way player being an excellent defensive SG with the ability to be near the top in the league in steals and has the ability to hit the 3, rebound, and dish assists. The Nets were also extremely interested in acquiring RHJ. A player they feel has the ability to make an MKG impact. While not quite the rebounder or shot blocker that MKG is, RHJ is another one of the leagues elite defensive SFs that may also be in the league leader bracket for steals in no time.

With the addition of RHJ, the Nets also knew they had no need for Batum any longer and his much larger salary. The Bulls came calling knew they had to make a move to answer the moves being made by the Celtics and Pistons and Batum was a must get for them. The Nets knew that trading Batum for Stein and Johnson wasn't a great value move but it achieved two things for the Nets. The 3 way move enabled the Nets to acquire another future first round pick that has a chance to become lottery, they also got one of the top young defensive bigs in the league still in a rookie deal.

In a league void of defensive bigs, having one as good as Stein could prove to be invaluable, especially as he continues on his rookie deal. The Nets now possess a solid young nucleus of Waiters, Jefferson, Stein, 23 million in cap plus 2 likely top 10 lottery picks and 8 picks in all during the next 3 years to make them one of the better young teams in the league. A team that just one season ago had very little assets to work with. Will it all workout for Brooklyn, or are they following the path of a team like the Sixers of the NBA? No one knows, but at least there's hope. Hope that hasn't been felt here in a long long time.

[Dennis]

Didn't read it yet, but you can use that as insider.

[emplep7]

I like what youre doing with you team and you still have some decent young trade pieces to move if you ever had to. Keep up the good work man and take care of Dion.

[blackice]

I like the defensive theme you've chosen to built around (Jrue/Ibaka ->Waiters/RHJ/Amir/Cauley). Good base and the team has very nice upside.

[Marcos_Beck]

I agree with every single move you made so far. All of them. Pick a team with almost non-existing assets and now have 8 promising 1st pick + two players to build around in Waiters and Randle. The complementary pieces have been added as well as WCS - Randle looks like a god-like interior tandem for years to come. Waiters is very underrated, he has all the tools to become very efficient on offense. And between Randle and him you have a first and a second scoring option already.
There are many more players who can turn into very valuable assets if they reach potentials like Caboclo, Jokic, as well as others like Saric who you can build your bench around. There's a lot of flexibility as well.

It has been a perfect job so far, and you're being patient as well. I love it, keep it up!

[Chilikonkarne]

All your moves are following a plan and that’s good gming in my opinion.
Looking forward to see Waiters evolve under the Nets uniform – he should increase his value in a system where he will get more touches

[Rizzo]

Crazy to see the travels of Dion Waiters in just over a season and a half.

I think you've done a great job taking a mess in Brooklyn and putting together a respectable squad. I think the defense will be very good for a long time and grabbing Cauley-Stein was a big asset that you can hold on to for a long time. Your team is missing that elite scorer and that's the hardest thing to acquire. Waiters can score but he isn't the most efficient at it. Maybe Randle will reach his potentials and become that 20/10 guy for you.

Regardless, you've done a masterful job in Brooklyn, that's for sure.