NBA Rumors: Surging Brooklyn Nets expected to look for upgrades nearing trade deadline
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that the Brooklyn Nets will be active, nearing the trade deadline. The Nets have arguably been the best team in the league since Jacque Vaughn took over the head coach reins from Steve Nash on November 1st, 2022.
Kevin Durant and Co. started the year 2-5 but improved to 27-13, ranking second in the Eastern Conference, inching towards halfway through the season. Here's what Wojnarowski said about their plans ahead of the trade deadline on February 9th, 2023 (via Talkin' NBA):
"Brooklyn is going to be active. Theyβre going to look to upgrade. I think particularly as Richard [Jefferson] said, in the front court. What the Nets get to do now is evaluate their roster without Kevin Durant. who has been such a dominant force for them."
He added:
"You mention Kyrie Irving leading the way now with this team. T.J. Warren was brought in to be a really productive player offensively. He gets that opportunity now. Seth Curry, Joe Harris. So now, Brooklyn has some time to see how these players play to see before they have to make some decisions."
Woj: "Brooklyn [Nets], like a lot of other contenders out there in both conferences, see a marketplace right now that is much more of a sellers than a buyers market. Just Not enough teams have really made the decision that they're going to be sellers, that they're out of it." https://t.co/e5blAQLyIY
Brooklyn has worked on improving their depth this past offseason, ensuring they surround the team's superstars with the ideal personnel. They have been successful in doing so, resulting in their midseason resurgence into a legitimate title contender.
They have some of the best 3-and-D wings, which has become essential in constructing a well-balanced team. However, it remains to be seen how they will perform in injured star Kevin Durant's absence, the team's leading scorer and best player this season.
As Wojnarowski mentioned, their performances will determine the Brooklyn Nets' plans to upgrade the roster before the trade deadline.
Looking at upgrades the Brooklyn Nets should make to sustain their form
The Brooklyn Nets need to upgrade their frontcourt depth. Nicolas Claxton is the only reliable true center on the roster. The Nets could benefit from adding a backup center. Brooklyn could explore trading for a veteran big like Hornets' Mason Plumlee or Spurs' Jakob Poeltl, as both their respective teams could be among the sellers nearing the trade deadline.
The Nets will also need more options at the power forward position in the wake of Kevin Durant's injury. KD has been phenomenal on both ends of the court. The Nets have reliable scorers but will need a defensive stalwart in Durant's absence. That addition could also be vital come playoff time when a team's defensive depth appears more decisive than ever.
Jae Crowder is among the players available on the market who could fill that role for the Brooklyn Nets. His playoff experience also comes in handy. It will be interesting to see what the Nets offer, though. Cam Thomas and Joe Harris are their most tradeable assets.
However, sophomore guard Thomas still has a lot of room for improvement, while Harris is owed $37 million until the end of the 2023-24 season.