Hi all,

Wow!!! Mixed feeling with Kyrie in Dallas, feel like they’re lacking a credible defensive big off the bench given the wing depth they’ve given up but Irving is a huge coup for the Mavs. I can’t wait to see the Luka Kyrie two man game with the likes of Wood, Kleber and probably Reggie spacing the floor.

Anyway, enough about the Mavs, here’s how the Nets can still make a playoff run given the draft capital they have (plus they get off of Simmons too)

Here’s why each team makes this trade:

Nets: Poor KD, the ultimate toxic relationship has seemingly come to an end so it’s time to get him a wholesome second option in Pascal Siakam. This move leaves the Nets with a tonne of versatility on the defensive end and loads of shooting on the roster. KD is an all time shot creator, Pascal has shown he can generate his own looks despite issues with spacing, on the offensive end the Nets would have one negative shooter left in their rotation and that’s Nic Claxton. But more importantly after this trade they’re an absolute juggernaut defensively. I’m no particular order, KD, Siakam, Claxton, DFS and Royce are all plus defenders. Harris, Dinwiddie, Yuta and TJ don’t take away from that side of the ball, they’ve all got good size at their position and Curry and Thomas can come in on a matchup by matchup basis to add offensive spark if it’s missing. This leaves Brooklyn with no obvious holes on the roster, elite versatility, great spacing and lock down defence. It won’t be as pretty but in this scenario Kyrie and Ben moving on means one less target on defence in the playoffs and one less target on the offensive end in Simmons.

They could trade for other stars like Lavine and Beal but this is the scenario I like most. The Raps should rebuild and are open to it, unlike the Wizards and the Bulls.

Raptors: Massive win of a trade for the Raps here. Yes they give up their franchise guy who’s in this prime but in the process they clean their books, pick up draft capital and address a dire need on the team by bringing in a legit 5 in Poeltl.

In this scenario they tank for the rest of the year, taking a high pick in a loaded draft and have the options to resign the likes of OG, Trent and Fred and push to contend with a more balanced roster next year or they can move all three of those guys and start a rebuild with a tonne of excess picks and a clean cap sheet.

Spurs: The Spurs just have an abundance of cap space and if any team is to take Simmons on it’ll be them. They get 2 potentially valuable 1st’s for Poeltl and taking on Simmons, to me that’s a win. Worst comes to worst and he’s off their books by the time they’re looking to contend again. In an ideal scenario they rehab his value and get a tune out of a former all NBA guy, surrounding him with credible shooters in Keldon, Vassell and Branham as well as wherever they pick from the draft and the ever entertaining Jeremy Sochan.

Who knows, maybe Ben starts taking one hand FT’s and starts knocking down jumpers!

Let me know your thoughts on the trade, what Brooklyn should do and what you think of the Kyrie trade!