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NBA Rumors: Nets Shopping For a First-Round Pick

By Timothy Palladino

Feb 19, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets new general manager Sean Marks speaks to the media during a press conference before a game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets new general manager Sean Marks speaks to the media during a press conference before a game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Brooklyn Nets are aggressively looking to make a trade for a first round pick, according to reports from NBA insiders. Will they get one? 

The first step in the Nets’ road back to being a winning team may happen sooner than fans thought. Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders reported on twitter that the Nets are working aggressively to get a first round pick anyway they can.

The Brooklyn Nets traded its 2016 first rounder to the Boston Celtics three years ago and swapped its second rounder with the Los Angeles Clippers back in 2011, which left the team with only the 55th pick.

In order to get a first-round pick, the Nets will likely offer a player with a lot of trade value or a player that is a part of the future. Another way is to just simply buy one from another team. It wouldn’t be the first time the Nets or an NBA purchased a draft pick. Purchasing picks is something plenty of NBA teams have done in past seasons.

The Nets have purchased a pick in all but one year since 2011:

2011: Purchased rights the of 31st pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves for $1.3 million (Bojan Bogdanovic). The Nets included a 2014 second rounder in that deal.

2012: Purchased rights of the 42nd pick from the Portland Trail Blazers for $2 million (Tyshawn Taylor). Purchased rights of 54th pick from Philadelphia 76ers for $750,000 (Toko Shengelia).

2014: Purchased rights of the 44th pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves for $1.1 million (Markel Brown), which was the same pick the Nets sent to Minnesota for Bogdanovic. Purchased rights of the 59th pick from the Toronto Raptors for $500,000 (Xavier Thames). Purchased rights of 60th pick from the 76ers for $300,000 (Cory Jefferson).

2015: Purchased rights of 39th pick from the Charlotte Hornets for $880,000 (Juan Pablo Vaulet). The Nets sent two second round picks in 2018 and 2020 respectively, in the deal.

The big names, Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Jarrett Jack are expected to say on the team and not be moved. However, the Nets are a team that may not be waiting for next year’s free agent class or draft to improve their team.

Since Sean Marks took the reins as Nets General Manager, he has been searching for ways to improve the team. At his introductory press conference, Marks mentioned he was ready to bring back a good product to the city of Brooklyn, and a first-round pick in the 2016 draft could help jumpstart the process.

In the past, Marks has said he will not Trade Brook Lopez or Thaddeus Young, but anything is on the table if the right offer comes along. That being said, could Bojan Bogdanovic be the one traded? it is possible as he had a pretty good season despite his team record. Bogdanovic was the first guy off the bench and averaged 11 points in 79 games. For a team that was not supposed to be active, this offseason looks to be more interesting and promising for Brooklyn fans.

If Marks misses on draft night, the free agent market this year is where he can make another big splash. not as attractive as the one next year. If Marks picked up Jeremy Lin, Eric Gordon or Brandon Jennings, that could help a roster full of young players. Otherwise, Brooklyn fans will have to wait for next year’s market that includes bigger stars.