Brooklyn Nets: Who will be traded for a third star, LeVert or Allen?

Caris LeVert?

Yes, his Basketball Reference page has his one and only nickname as Baby Durant, but don’t be discouraged. If trading LeVert means solidifying a championship core, Brooklyn will do it.

The 25-year-old guard’s development has been hindered by his own health. In his four seasons with the Nets, LeVert has played 57, 71, 40, and 39 games. Not exactly a sound investment.

But when he’s been on the court, healthy and in rhythm, he’s really produced for Brooklyn. LeVert’s often displayed signs of a future All-Star, as a ball-handler, defender, and scorer. He scored 51 points in a March win earlier this season over the Boston Celtics.

It was an absolute come from behind win for the Nets, and a statement performance for LeVert.

His ability to take over a game, and win it almost single-handedly holds promise both for his potential future in Brooklyn, as well as his value via trade. A number of teams would accept a package for one of their star players that’s centered around the 25-year old.

LeVert’s also been recently locked into an extension, making his presence for his next team more than temporary. Another attractive facet to acquiring (and dealing) the guard as opposed to Allen.

He’s posting 17.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game this season. But while he’s shown tendencies to thrive in the absence of his star teammates, wouldn’t the Brooklyn Nets rather invest in someone who plays well in addition to Irving and Durant?

And as injury-prone as they likely both will be next season, and for the rest of their careers, finding a more stable player (even if it means less talented) may make more sense.

When it comes down to it, the Brooklyn Nets could very well deal both of LeVert and Allen. But in an ideal world they’d end up dealing just one, while retaining the other piece of a core they’ve worked so hard to groom and retain as apart of their championship roster.

Nonetheless, Brooklyn’s going to need to be active this offseason, more so than in year’s past. For the first time in a long time, this summer has championship implications. If that means giving up one of LeVert or Allen, or even both, expect them to meet the hard decisions head-on.