Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Trade Deadline: Teams in Dire Need of a Trade

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 30, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) talks with head coach Doc Rivers during the second quarter of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) talks with head coach Doc Rivers during the second quarter of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next
Sep 26, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Joe Johnson (7) and center Kevin Garnett (2) and point guard Deron Williams (8) and center Brook Lopez (11) pose for a photo during media day at the Brooklyn Nets Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Joe Johnson (7) and center Kevin Garnett (2) and point guard Deron Williams (8) and center Brook Lopez (11) pose for a photo during media day at the Brooklyn Nets Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Brooklyn Nets

Record: 18-28

Available for Trade: Jarrett Jack, PG; Joe Johnson, SG; Brook Lopez, C; Deron Williams, PG

If The Value’s Right: Kevin Garnett, PF; Mirza Teletovic, PF

Untouchables: Bojan Bogdanovic, G/F; Mason Plumlee, PF/C

The Brooklyn Nets have the highest payroll in the NBA. That’s especially shocking when one acknowledges how the Nets currently boast a record of 18-28 with a roster that’s been healthier than in 2013-14.

It won’t be easy to do, but the Nets must blow this roster up while it still has a chance at building for the future.

The Nets will receive significant cap relief in 2015 with Kevin Garnett, who’s currently making $12,000,000, coming off the books. Remaining in Brooklyn, however, are Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez and Deron Williams.

That trio will make just under $60 million combined in 2015-16.

Johnson is due $24,894,863 in 2015-16, which goes without saying as a massive cap hit. He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2016, when the salary cap will rocket, which does offer the Nets a unique opportunity.

If there’s a general manager who’s willing to take on Johnson’s final year in order to prepare for a massive attack of free agency with a high cap, a one-year rental wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

Williams is a more difficult move, as he’s struggled to stay healthy and productive. He’ll make $21,042,800 in 2015-16 and has an Early Termination Option that’s unlikely to be executed with $22,331,135 coming his way in 2016-17.

Thus, the most likely option is dealing Lopez.

Lopez is due $16,744,219 in 2015-16, but he’ll be an unrestricted free agent that summer. Much like Johnson, he’d be a one-year rental who provides high-caliber scoring and the eventual flexibility of opening up the checkbook with a higher cap.

This is a tall task, but if Brooklyn is to turn things around in the short-term, it needs to start fresh.

Next: Too Many Assets to Not Take Advantage