Brooklyn Nets: 3 reasons to pursue a JaVale McGee trade

Brooklyn Nets: 3 reasons to pursue a JaVale McGee trade – They desperately need defense

The Brooklyn Nets defense has been problematic from the jump this season, but the James Harden trade has worsened the issue. Brooklyn currently has the 25th ranked defensive rating in the league at 111.8, and if these efforts continue trending downward, it could be their undoing later in the season.

Circling back to Jarrett Allen, the team has sorely missed his defensive presence in the post. They are currently allowing 51.1 points in the paint per game, the third-most in the association. Starting center DeAndre Jordan is doing his best to hold down the fort, but he is no longer the defensive juggernaut that he once was, and that lack of support in the second unit has only elevated the issue.

Teams are feasting on the opportunity down low, and that is where a player like JaVale McGee off the bench could certainly be useful. McGee has been a solid rim protector throughout his career, averaging 1.5 blocks per game throughout his 12 years in the association. He would give the Brooklyn Nets a towering 7’0″ presence to protect the paint and alleviate some of their detrimental defensive issues that are so apparent.

Overall, the Brooklyn Nets’ potential interest in JaVale McGee makes sense for a handful of reasons. Whether it be the experience, their utilization of the DPE, or most notably, his defensive prowess, this a trade that they need to make.