With a trade deadline of nearly a month to go, the NBA's most "chaotic" and exciting period is just around the corner, and with Irving returning, the Nets will lack the motivation to continue to act, but they can still seek trades in the coming weeks.
Before Irving returned, the Nets clearly needed to trade a player to help Durant lighten the burden, averaging a league-high 29.9 points per game, but now the Nets need to add a shooter to expand the space.
Brooklyn Media listed three players the Nets could trade before the trade deadline.
3． Paul Millsap
After becoming a free agent in the market, Millsap, 36, signed the Nets to a one-year, $2.6 million veteran contract. Millsap currently plays 29 games and has missed some games for personal reasons and health and safety protocols, averaging just 3.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, all career-lows.
Having not played since Dec. 27, the Nets need depth in both forward and center positions, and Millsap hasn't delivered the results and contributions they expected.
His role with the Nets has diminished recently, and perhaps it would be more appropriate to exchange for some players who can contribute to the bench.
2. Bruce Brown
In August, Brown signed a one-year, $4.7 million contract with the Nets, which means he will become a free agent in the summer, and the deal can avoid this wasted loss.
Brown has averaged 6.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in 30 games this season and has a reputation in the league for his defense, but the Nets are no longer so pressing this season to need him, in part because of Bembry's arrival. But Brown has the right to veto the trade, and the Nets must first get his consent to trade and send him where he wants to go.
1. Jevon Carter
Carter has been criticised by Nets fans this season for coming to Brooklyn as part of the trade with Shamet. Carter and the Suns are on a three-year, $11.5 million contract, with more than $3.6 million this season and around $3.9 million next year.
Early Nets desperately needed point guards, Irving needed to reduce them when he returned, and Carter's time was squeezed by rookies. Carter averaged just 2.6 points and 1.5 rebounds in 31 games, which is obviously not very important.