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NBA Trade Rumors: Trade Priorities For All 30 Teams

By Aaron Ferguson

Jan 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) runs up the court against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) runs up the court against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) reacts as the Nets lose to the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Nets 112-100. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) reacts as the Nets lose to the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Nets 112-100. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets aren’t in the best of situations in the NBA, and it gets worse without having a general manager when they need one most. The Nets reassigned former GM Billy King when they fired head coach Lionel Hollins on Jan. 10. Owner Mikhail Prokhorov is in the midst of interviewing 8-10 candidates, according to the New York Post, but needs to move quickly before the trade deadline passes.

Brooklyn is tied for the third-worst record in the NBA and is without its first round pick in 2016. Without their top-five pick and a young, franchise player to build around, the Nets’ only options are to trade away Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young to acquire young talent and picks, or use their cap space in the 2016 offseason to sign one of the premier free agents.

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The problem with the second option is that the Nets are in such a bad position, they are likely one of the worst destinations for free agents. Brooklyn’s location is great, but the way they have handled their changes and recent transactions may deter marquee free agents.

With the way teams are reacting to Horford’s availability, the Nets should be able to get good returns on Lopez and Young. Lopez is a great offensive threat, but is good enough defensively to be considered a two-way center. He lacks athleticism, but he is a strong piece for a contending team. Young may be the best power forward on the market if he were made available. His ability to stretch the floor with a midrange game is valuable.

Lopez has two years left on his contract following this season and Young has two years left with a player option for a third year following this season. The fact that the two are signed beyond this season adds additional value.

Related Story: NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Landing Spots For Joe Johnson

Now would be a good time for the Nets to trade Lopez and Young away to begin building for the future. Moving the two to gain valuable, young assets may be more intriguing for a top free agent to go to Brooklyn. But they need to define a direction, and it begins with hiring a general manager, hopefully before the All-Star break is over.

Next: Buy Or Sell?