The Brooklyn Nets are in the midst of a rebuild, and while it is still early, they are still in search of a franchise cornerstone. The Nets had five first-round picks in this past draft and surprisingly did not trade up in the top five to select a franchise player like Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey.
Brooklyn does have a lot of intriguing young players in Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drew Timme, and others, along with a mix of veterans like Michael Porter Jr., Nicholas Claxton, and Cam Thomas.
However, they don’t have a player with the ceiling of a franchise player, which would help accelerate their rebuild. There is one former All-Star that could be available and has low value right now that Brooklyn could take advantage of.
The Nets must trade for Zion Williamson
Williamson has been the poster child for the what-if community since he came into the league. When he plays, he is one of the league’s most unstoppable forces. He is always hovering between 22 and 27 points per game, shooting nearly 60 percent from the field, and putting constant pressure on the rim. He has all the tools to be a franchise player.
The problem is that he cannot stay healthy. Williamson has played more than 60 games only twice in five seasons and has missed a total of 268 regular season games. That is more than three full seasons’ worth of games.
So why should the Nets take a flyer on Williamson? For starters, he is not expected to command a huge package on the trade market. Because of his injury history, Williamson is not exactly a hot commodity. Secondly, because of that, he would come with low risk in terms of what is given up for him. Brooklyn has a lot of draft capital at their disposal and some salary fillers that they can send to New Orleans in a deal.
The issue is that, given his injury history, Williamson having over $125 million on his contract over the next three years would be a hurdle the Nets may not be willing to overcome. However, if the price is right, they have to be willing to explore.
There also have been rumblings about the tension between New Orleans and Williamson for years now, and with the organization in a weird spot the next few years, they may cut ties with the former first overall pick.
Adding Williamson would help accelerate the Nets’ rebuild
Brooklyn just started rebuilding, so they do not need to worry about rushing. However, with no clear franchise player on the roster, and Williamson potentially being available for pennies on the dollar, an opportunity like this can’t be something they pass up.
Brooklyn has been rumored to be in the star market in the next two years, with names like Giannis Antetokounmpo on their radar. Williamson has that star billing when he is on the court and would give the Nets the high-ceiling centerpiece they need.
