We Heard

The Brooklyn Nets have embraced their championship or bust expectations. After all, you don’t put Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving together with anything other than the Larry O’Brien Trophy in mind. 

That being said, the Nets aren’t done supplementing their roster as Thursday’s trade deadline approaches. And they shouldn’t be. With LeBron James (ankle) and Anthony Davis (calf) injured — and Joel Embiid (knee) also still recovering from his own ailment — there’s no reason not to go for it. 

Durant (hamstring), of course, is also working his way back to form. He will miss at least three more games — putting him at least 18 total. There is still no exact timetable for his return. It was supposed to be a “mild sprain” that would cause Durant to miss “at least two games.” 

Brooklyn has been able to win — well, dominant — without him, so the pressure isn’t exactly on in the short-term. Still, the hope is that Durant, Harden and Irving can eventually get some minutes together before the postseason begins. That’s kind of important. Irving is also out at least three games while he tends to a family matter. 

Even with the recent addition of Blake Griffin, the Nets could use an additional body up front. The Lakers continue to make a strong push for Andre Drummond, sources said Tuesday. And if he does secure a buyout, rival executives expect him to wind up as LA’s starting center, according to reports — including ESPN. It has been widely expected that it would come down to the Nets and Lakers for Drummond’s services if he isn’t traded. 

Orlando’s Khem Birch has also been mentioned as another option by former Nets GM/ESPN Insider Bobby Marks. Likewise, JaVale McGee has consistently been linked to Brooklyn. In addition to Durant and Griffin, Brooklyn’s current bigs include DeAndre Jordan, Jeff Green and Nic Claxton. It certainly makes sense to have plenty of frontcourt depth for different playoff matchups. 

Spencer Dinwiddie (ACL) has been a hot name on the trade market, and the Nets could look to add help on the wing in exchange for their rehabbing point guard, who is expected to decline his $12.3 million player option for 2021-22 and enter free agency. 

Toronto’s Norm Powell has surfaced as a possibility. There were rumblings about Dinwiddie and Powell dating back to November. Powell, though, is being pursued by several teams. A Yahoo! Sports report stated Miami could offer a trade package including Avery Bradley, Moe Harkless and Kendrick Nunn. Bradley — like Durant — is a Texas Longhorn. 

JJ Redick, who has a penthouse in Dumbo, is another player who would relish the chance to play with the Nets if he’s able to secure a buyout in New Orleans. Brooklyn certainly has plenty of shooting, but Landry Shamet (ankle) is out at least two games. Again, there’s no such thing as too much depth.  

Harden, whose incredible durability, vocal leadership and all-world talent have been invaluable, will end up being the biggest move of 2020-21.

But if Kyle Lowry ends up in Miami or Philadelphia, Brooklyn could face some fierce competition to get out of the Eastern Conference. Same goes for the possibility of Victor Oladipo and/or LaMarcus Aldridge ending up with the Heat.

Expect Sean Marks and the rest of Brooklyn’s front office to exhaust all available options. A potential title is on the line.