NBN Roundtable: Post-Trade Deadline Reactions
By Sandy Mui
The Brooklyn Nets made a couple of moves by the 2017 trade deadline. Here are the NBN team’s reactions.
What are your thoughts on the Nets trading Bojan Bogdanovic and Chris McCullough to Washington?
Sandy Mui (@sandymui1134): The Nets were inevitably going to give up Bogdanovic, considering the fact that Bogdanovic is in his contract year. Though his production hasn’t been subpar, it has not met the Nets’ and especially many Nets fans’ expectations. It wouldn’t have been worthwhile to keep him around until the offseason, when he’d more than likely demand more money in a new contract. As hard as it is to see Bogie go, the Nets were smart to get some return for him, and he now has an opportunity with a strong playoff contender. As for the Wizards, they gained a great character guy and a player who can provide a huge spark off the bench.
Trading McCullough was one of the harder moves to fathom — everyone on here knows how much I love Brisk, and the Nets’ decision to move him was a major shock. The Nets never advertised him in the trade market, and it seemed like he was just an add-on in a deal to get Bogie shipped off, especially with Bogdanovic as the primary headline of the trade. I’ve watched a few Long Island Nets games this season and even saw one live, and McCullough was rather impressive. I find solace in the logic that the Nets didn’t like what they’ve seen from McCullough down in the D-League and thus decided he wouldn’t be in their future plans. But, perhaps that’s just me trying to hold onto some hope in an underwhelming year.
Charles Daye (@NotTheChuckD): Tough to see McCullough traded. As a fan, I don’t feel we ever really got to see him ball out. With that said, I have to believe that is for good reason, especially with the way this season has gone. Last year, it made sense, coming off a bad injury, he was a rookie, etc. This year, even with injuries to the given position, Kenny Atkinson is all about giving guys opportunity. Rookie Isaiah Whitehead has started the most games at point guard for the Nets this season. The Nets cut Anthony Bennett and had Rondae Hollis-Jefferson start at the power forward position, and so on.
RELATED STORY: Why Trading McCullough Isn’t a Big Deal
Deductive reasoning would have me believe McCullough wasn’t “good enough” for whatever reason to crack the rotation as a power forward. McCullough never dominated in the D-League like many Nets fans expected/needed him to. Bogie was an expiring contract. Fair or not, he was signed to replace “The Truth” Paul Pierce and never really lived up to the hype he had coming into the season, and he was consistently inconsistent. Getting a first-round pick in a deep draft seems like a good return for someone who most likely wouldn’t have been on the roster next season anyway.
Christian Milcos (@ChristianMilcos): The Nets made a fantastic move by shipping Bojan Bogdanovic and Chris McCullough to the Wizards. As I’ve written in a previous piece, the biggest asset Brooklyn gained from this move is flexibility heading into the draft. They will now have two first-rounders, which gives the front office a variety of options. They will be able to package both picks and move up or stand pat and take two shots at finding a gem in the 20’s. Nabbing Andrew Nicholson was also a sneaky big pickup for Sean Marks. Perhaps he will be able to thrive as a stretch big in Kenny Atkinson’s there-point centric offense.
Malcolm Ireland (@MackyIreland): Trading Bogdanovic and McCullough to Washington was a no-brainer for the Nets. Bogie was not living up to expectations this year, as he did not take the leap forward everyone was expecting. For the Wizards, they added a knock-down three-point shooter to add depth to their bench. Bogie will most likely fare better in a system where he will be spotting up more.
RELATED STORY: Bogdanovic Should Thrive in Washington
McCullough, on the other hand, was producing well in the D-League, while not producing at the same level when on the NBA court. He was worth parting ways with to receive a first-round pick. With Andrew Nicholson joining the Nets as well, there would not be enough minutes to go around, as evident with Nets cutting Luis Scola. Overall, the trade made sense for both sides. The Nets need draft picks, and the Wizards want bench depth for a playoff run.