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NBA Trade Deadline: Every Team’s Most Untouchable Asset

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 1, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets interim head coach Tony Brown (R) talks to Brooklyn Nets small forward Joe Johnson (7) during a time out during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets interim head coach Tony Brown (R) talks to Brooklyn Nets small forward Joe Johnson (7) during a time out during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Brooklyn Nets: Cap Space

The Brooklyn Nets aren’t exactly in a position to call something, “Untouchable.” Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young make for a fine interior tandem, but neither player is helping the Nets emerge from the depths of despair.

If there’s one thing that the Nets can’t touch, it’s their potential cap space.

Trading either Lopez or Young would open the budget tremendously, which is the only way for Brooklyn to return to prominence. Joe Johnson’s expiring contract will make this summer quite interesting for Mikhail Prokhorov’s club, but adding contracts will hinder that potential.

The question is, what expiring contracts could actually be swapped for players such as Lopez and Young without damaging Brooklyn’s long-term potential?

Expiring contracts are still valuable, but they’re not as significant under a salary cap that’s projected to rise above $90 million. Lopez’s contract is big at $19,689,000, regardless of the cap, but he’s one of the most productive centers in the NBA.

The question is, can the Nets execute the ideal trade to clear more cap space and help build a healthier future without a first-round draft pick in 2016?

Next: Charlotte Hornets