3 contenders that badly need a trade before the deadline

Brooklyn Nets: A big man at Barclays Center.

After a terrible start to the season that caused major instability within the Nets’ organization, Brooklyn has finally found their footing. They are currently 4th in the Eastern Conference with a 30-19 record. By no means have the Nets turned around their season just yet, though.

Incredible performances from Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, along with the solid production of role players such as Royce O’Neale, Nic Claxton, and Seth Curry have carried the Nets to their recent wins. However, this team still has some flaws. This can be seen in games such as their 130-122 loss to the Detroit Pistons of all teams, or a less excusable but still poor defensive showing in a 137-133 loss to the Philidelphia 76ers. The roster lacks size and depth in the frontcourt, and it’s hurting their defense. Here is a trade that could fix that weakness.

Poeltl is a player who should be targeted by many teams around the league. He a big man who can protect the paint at an elite level and switch onto guards on the perimeter if needed. He’s even a threat offensively, averaging 12 points per game despite not having the ball in his hands very often, along with an impressive three assists per game.

Giving up two first-round picks is an expensive price for Brooklyn to pay, but the quality of those picks isn’t very high as they come from two contending teams, the Nets themselves and the 76ers. It still may be an overpay, but again, Poeltl is a player many teams will be making offers for and it could take two first-rounders to outbid everyone else. As a bonus, Brooklyn would bring in Josh Richardson, who’s averaging 11 points per game while playing some solid defense as well. With a good end to the season, he could be another addition to the Nets’ playoff rotation.

From San Antonio’s perspective, they would get back picks for their veterans, a simple and logical decision to make as the 14th seed in the Western Conference.