Nothin' But Nets
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Big Man Market Not Working in Brooklyn Nets’ and Philadelphia 76ers’ Favors

By Matthew Pisani

Feb 1, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Isaiah Whitehead (15) controls the ball against New York Knicks point guard Brandon Jennings (3) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Isaiah Whitehead (15) controls the ball against New York Knicks point guard Brandon Jennings (3) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sacramento Kings rocked the NBA world after the All-Star Game by trading franchise center DeMarcus Cousins. That leaves two other big men on the block, the Brooklyn Nets‘ own Brook Lopez, and the Philadelphia 76ers‘ Jahlil Okafor, in purgatory.

DeMarcus Cousins, along with Omri Casspi were traded to the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday night for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, a 2017 first-round pick, and a second-round pick. Now, almost all of the teams looking for a big man have traded for one. Where does that leave the Brooklyn Nets and their openness to trading Brook Lopez? What does that mean for Philadelphia 76ers big man Jahlil Okafor?

The Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trail Blazers traded big man for big man in Jusuf Nurkic and Mason Plumlee. The Pelicans, obviously, got their guy in DeMarcus Cousins. The Chicago Bulls are in the market for a big man still, but would the Nets or the Sixers trade for anyone on the Bulls? Jimmy Butler‘s stock is too high to be traded for either Lopez or Okafor. Brooklyn is more in the market of acquiring picks and/or young talent.

RELATED STORY: Cousins Trade Shows Why It’s Hard to Deal Lopez

The Sixers have no more space for all of these young big men and are trying to deal Okafor for that very reason. Brooklyn, meanwhile, is looking to add youth and draft picks to their squad during a time of rebuilding.

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With both teams facing the same issues in the trade market, it appears the only solution is for the teams to exchange big men. However, the trade will probably not happen because Philly simply has too many big men on their roster. They go through cycles of playing and sitting Nerlens Noel and Okafor. Lopez would only perpetuate the big men issues in Philadelphia.

It is an interesting scenario, though, looking into the possibility of Lopez and Okafor being traded for each other. But that’s only stirring up an alternative universe where the teams will deal their big man for the sake of completing a trade.

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Brooklyn has praised Lopez this season, as both head coach Kenny Atkinson and general manager Sean Marks have publicly spoken about how great of a player and teammate Lopez is. Despite the praise and love for Lopez, Marks should still try to deal the eight-year veteran, but recent moves in the NBA show this is easier said than done. Everyone loves Lopez, but everyone also loves winning and having young talent.