With the Brooklyn Nets no doubt on the hunt for a third star, which of their young core will be deemed most expendable via trade?
When the Brooklyn Nets made their big splash last June in signing the trio of perennial All-Stars: Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and DeAndre Jordan–their team was thought of as complete.
But if we’ve learned anything from watching this up-and-down Nets season, it’s the opposite.
Point guard Irving came out and told the media, quite frankly, that the team will be looking to make additions in the offseason back after a January loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. What was thought of as a championship roster has displayed glaring issues in its inaugural season.
Now to their credit, Brooklyn has yet to see Durant take the floor–a Herculean level change that will turn the Nets into championship threats from jump. But when taking into account Irving’s health and the not so graceful aging of Jordan’s game, it’s clear they need some help.
Yet their high team salary and room in cap space will prevent any offseason addition to be made via free agency. No, if the Nets are going to find help for Irving and Durant, it’ll have to be via trade.
That being said, Brooklyn’s most attractive trade assets are two youth cornerstones, big man Jarrett Allen, and combo guard Caris LeVert. It’ll take moving one, if not both of them to secure a third star level talent to play next to Irving and Durant.
Who’s the most expendable youth for the Nets? Which has the most upside via trade?
Jarrett Allen?
The 21-year-old center was Brooklyn’s first draft selection in the first round, of their own designation, in years; thanks to the infamous Billy King trade with the Boston Celtics.
So naturally, there’s a certain affection among fans for Allen. But recently, he’s almost become expendable behind the presence of DeAndre Jordan. Part of the rumored reason behind the firing of head coach Kenny Atkinson was his having handed the starting job to Allen.
Now with Atkinson gone, how safe is Allen’s future in Brooklyn?
He’s played well this season, for what it’s worth. Especially given the drama and turmoil that inevitably arises when playing for the same club that’s home to stars like Irving and Durant.
Allen posted 10.6 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 64 appearances for Brooklyn. His length and age make him more of a shot block threat than the aging Jordan, but that’s also a trait that may be deemed expendable when prominent defender Durant makes his return.
Jordan’s got the experience value over Allen, undoubtedly. But when experience crosses with age, where do you draw the line in terms of nostalgia for what was?
Then again, Allen is making just $3.9 million next year. While that warrants some degree of extension talk, it also makes him an asset in terms of the bargain price tag for what he provides. But where he’s lacking most in comparison to Jordan is the preference of their two stars.
Jordan is a longtime friend of Durant’s, and will no doubt cause turmoil in the locker room if dropped down the totem pole below Allen. Oh yeah, and he’s making $10 million a year. That’s not a guy you let watch from the sideline under any circumstance.
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.