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Brooklyn Nets: How Does Their Current Rebuild Compare to Those of the Past?

By Malcolm Ireland

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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Nov 1, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) warms up before the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) warms up before the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

The Move to Brooklyn

Here is where the Nets really started to change their ways. In the past, the Nets have made only one or two trades to bring in superstars. The rest of the team was drafted talent. The Nets were so desperate to have a good team moving to Brooklyn, they made yet another trade. During the 2011-12 season, the Nets brought in Gerald Wallace. Brooklyn really jumped the gun with this trade. Wallace was a solid role player at the time, but the Nets gave up a little too much for him, trading away their 2012 first-round draft pick. The pick was only top three protected. The Nets lost out in the draft lottery and landed exactly where they were supposed to. This lead to the Trail Blazers using the sixth overall pick on Damian Lillard.

At the time, this was not too devastating. The Nets already had their point guard of the future and in the summer of 2012, Brooklyn made another big trade. They traded a bunch of players and a 2013 first round pick to Atlanta for Joe Johnson. Trading another draft pick may appear unpleasant reading it right now, but it was a smart move at the time. The Nets added a guy who could score 20 points on any given night. The draft pick was unimportant because the organization felt it was going to be a late pick anyway. This move completed a quick rebuild for the Nets. With the team jumping from 22 wins to 49 wins, things seemed to be going in the right direction.