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The Brooklyn Nets should trade Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for the right offer

By Kunal Kohli

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 10: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson#24 of the Brooklyn Nets goes for a lay up against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 10, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 10: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson#24 of the Brooklyn Nets goes for a lay up against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 10, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is playing the best basketball of his life. But is that the most useful way he can help the Brooklyn Nets?

He’s a staunch defender, good both on the wing and in the post and a fan favorite. He’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, more affectionately known as The Hyphen.

Since the Brooklyn Nets drafted him in 2015, Hollis-Jefferson has been an integral part of the Nets’ culture. So much so, in fact, that he modeled pieces from Brooklyn COOL, a collective of designer clothing.

But as important as The Hyphen is to the chemistry of the team, he is also a very important asset to have. Two-way wing players have never been more valuable in the NBA. Just ask the New Orleans Pelicans, whose lack of wings severely limited the team in the second half of last season.

The trade market is there and general manager Sean Marks should take a look at it, if he has not already.

It is not as if Hollis-Jefferson is an unattractive trade chip, either. The team just exercised his two-year team option. This means for the next two years, Hollis-Jefferson will make $3.7 million, total. If Brooklyn traded him, teams would not have to worry about splurging for him.

Secondly, he has easily been the second best Net this season. He’s a averaging 14.6 points and 5.3 boards per contest. The talent is there.

Common sense would say that the Brooklyn Nets would be stupid to trade him away now. Hollis-Jefferson has time to grow and become even better. He’s nowhere near his peak and could even get better.

But, Trevor Booker is coming back. If he returns to form, Hollis-Jefferson immediately becomes redundant. Splitting minutes between the two would be a pain and one devalues the either.

Here’s where the caveat comes in. The Nets need the right offer for them to part ways with The Hyphen. While players are mostly undervalued in trades (Carmelo Anthony is worth way more than Enes Kanter and Doug McDermott), sometimes teams can finesse greta deals (looking at you Celtics giving up everything but the kitchen sink for Kyrie Irving).

So what offers would be right for Hollis-Jefferson? A more efficient wing would be nice, but, again, be redundant when Booker comes back. The Nets have a ton of help in the back court, but a play-making point guard could go a long way. A skilled big would be super.

Next: Nets take down the Trail Blazers

If the Nets can get a big like Derrick Favors or Hassan Whiteside, trading The Hyphen might be worth it.