Nick Wright speculates the Brooklyn Nets took the Dallas Mavericks’ offer over the LA Lakers’ package because they’re not trading Kevin Durant
Rumors are running rampant that the Brooklyn Nets will eventually trade Kevin Durant after Kyrie Irving was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks. Brooklyn got Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and future draft picks for the mercurial point guard.
Some basketball fans felt Brooklyn lost a big opportunity to stockpile first-round picks while also getting Russell Westbrook in the deal. Nick Wright, however, had this to say about why Nets GM Sean Marks decided to settle with Dallas’ offer:
(13:40)
“Dorian Finney-Smith adds defense and three-point shooting. Dinwiddie gives you 65% of Kyrie’s offensive production and they got the pick. The Lakers were offering you Russ and future picks."
He added:
The Lakers’ package is better if they were going to trade Durant as well. But as they’re gonna try to placate Durant and compete, this is the better package.”
Kevin Durant left Russell Westbrook and the OKC Thunder in the summer of 2016 to infamously join the Golden State Warriors. He later revealed that he wanted to move out because he was the only player who could consistently make jump shots.
Westbrook’s jumper has only gotten worse in his last two seasons with the LA Lakers. The “Westbrick” name hasn’t been entirely inaccurate, particularly last season. The Nets don’t want to drop that on KD if they want to compete for the championship.
Additionally, having Westbrook and Ben Simmons at the same time will be something Kevin Durant doesn’t want to be a part of. The former has a ton of confidence, which often leads to taking ill-advised shots, while the latter barely even attempts to look at the rim.
Also, Joe Tsai reportedly never intended for Kyrie Irving to land with the LA Lakers. The Nets’ billionaire owner didn’t want to see a happy ending for the player who has caused the franchise too many headaches.
Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets may have found Kyrie Irving’s perfect replacement in Cam Thomas
Cam Thomas has hardly seen any action behind Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, and Patty Mills in the lineup. Since Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, the sophomore guard has averaged 45.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. He is also shooting a ridiculous 71.8% from behind the arc.
In the win against the Washington Wizards last Feb. 4, Thomas came off the bench to explode for 44 points in just 29 minutes. He was the biggest reason why the Nets rallied from a 23-point deficit to eke out a 125-123 victory.
The biggest winner of the Kyrie Irving trade:
Cam Thomas https://t.co/agOOr13vX9
Two nights later, in his first start of the season, he scored 47 points on the LA Clippers but couldn’t carry the Nets to the win. Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets bench couldn’t hold their enthusiasm and excitement for the former LSU superstar in his last two games.
Without Irving, Cam Thomas may have carved a spot for himself with the way he’s been playing. Kevin Durant now has two new pieces to work with while Thomas’ explosive emergence is a welcome sight. The Nets may turn out to be the big winners in this trade with the Dallas Mavericks.
You might also like to read: BREAKING: Kevin Durant trade to Phoenix Suns possible depending on availability of 13x All-Star, reports NBA insider Chris Haynes