3 buy-low trade targets Nets must pursue ahead of Feb 8 deadline

2. DeMar DeRozan

The Chicago Bulls are a team that many believe could hold a fire sale ahead of this year's deadline, as they boast the league's ninth most expensive payroll yet, at 23-27, are very likely headed toward their sixth playoff-less finish in seven seasons.

In the event that this happens, there are quite a number of players on their roster that will warrant significant interest from teams across the association and, for the Nets, DeMar DeRozan should be an individual that draws their attention.

Along with needing a quality facilitator within their arsenal, Brooklyn could use for another top-flight scoring threat to take both the burden and overall attention off of the likes of Bridges and Thomas.

Despite being 34 years old, DeRozan is still a player who can buy a bucket at a highly consistent rate, as he is currently posting impressive averages of 22.0 points per game while shooting 46.5 percent from the floor.

Attached to an an expiring contract, considering the lack of success the Bulls have come across during his nearly three-year tenure it's very likely that the six-time All-Star will be departing from the Windy City after this season, thus meaning the franchise could get desperate ahead of this year's deadline to try and get back assets via trade rather than losing him for nothing during the summer.

Taking part in a cost-efficient deal involving the final year of Spencer Dinwiddie's contract ($20.3 million cap hit in 2023-24) and several future second-rounders could be an interesting way for the Nets to become better equipped for a successful second-half run all while parting ways with minimal assets in the process.

A healthy starting lineup of Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, DeMar DeRozan, Mikal Bridges, and Nic Claxton would be a lethal unit for opposing squads to go up against on both sides of the ball and could prove to be a serious problem for rival teams come Play-In Tournament time.