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Brooklyn Nets: Should BK be haunted by Saddiq Bey trade?

By Jerry Trotta

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 10: Saddiq Bey #41 of the Detroit Pistons brings the ball down the court during the third quarter of the game against the Utah Jazz at Little Caesars Arena on January 10, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. Utah Jazz defeated the Detroit Pistons 96-86. 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. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 10: Saddiq Bey #41 of the Detroit Pistons brings the ball down the court during the third quarter of the game against the Utah Jazz at Little Caesars Arena on January 10, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. Utah Jazz defeated the Detroit Pistons 96-86. 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. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Though the Brooklyn Nets’ roster was seemingly already loaded enough to make a deep run in the playoffs after they impressed with a makeshift roster in the bubble, fans were still excited to see which player they would select in the 2020 draft.

Unfortunately for them, however, that wish never came to fruition, as the Nets ended up trading away the No. 19 overall pick to Detroit in a three-team deal that ultimately saw them acquire shooting specialist Landry Shamet from the Clippers.

The Pistons used that pick on Villanova prospect Saddiq Bey, and most fans (including us) admittedly didn’t think much of it at the time. However, as the season’s progressed, the 21-year-old has continued to look the part of a player who’s ready to contribute on a winning team.

As Bey continues to stake his claim as a dark horse Rookie of the Year candidate, it’s worth speculating if the Nets should have any regrets about trading their 2020 first-rounder.

Should the Nets be haunted by the Saddiq Bey trade during his promising rookie campaign?

Luckily for Brooklyn, the trade doesn’t look as egregious as it did earlier in the season, as Shamet has really turned the corner from three over the last few months. As of mid-January, the former first-round pick was shooting 31% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc.

Fast forward to present day, and Shamet has upped those percentages to 39% and 37%, respectively. While there’s something to be said for those improvements, however, nobody would deny that he isn’t playing as big of a role off the bench as the Nets thought he would when they acquired him in November.

Over 32 games (zero starts), Shamet is averaging just 8.1 points with career-low shooting percentages in just over 20 minutes per game. Bey, meanwhile, has started 18 contests, across which he’s posting 10.1 points and 3.9 rebounds with .407/.396/.862 shooting splits in 23.1 minutes per game.

For context, Bey is one of just four rookies in the league currently shooting the three at a clip greater than 39%. His bulky 6-foot-7, 215-pound frame would also be invaluable for the Nets from a defensive and rebounding standpoint. With all due respect to Shamet, he doesn’t offer much of anything when he doesn’t have the shooting stroke going.

Final verdict? The jury is still out in terms of determining a trade winner since we only have a half season’s worth of a sample size. However, the early signs indicate that the Nets received the short end of the stick in the deal and that alone proves Sean Marks and Co. should have some regrets.