Though we may already be rolling through month three of the 2023-24 NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets still find themselves battling with an identity crisis.
Despite the fact that they're coming off their fifth-straight playoff appearance and boast an impressive young roster headlined by the likes of rising star Mikal Bridges, through 34 games played Jacque Vaughn's club is just 16-21 and, of late, seem to be playing a rather unenthused brand of basketball.
Coming into the year, Brooklyn was viewed by many as an up-and-coming team in the Eastern Conference that possessed a talent pool brimming with untapped potential.
Unfortunately, to this point, their lack of a clear number-one option has severely capped their upside as a unit, with their recent loss against the Portland Trail Blazers serving as a grueling reminder of this harsh reality.
Fortunately, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski recently revealed that he believes the Nets will continue to try and improve the supporting cast around Bridges, thus instilling hope within the fanbase that Sean Marks and company could look to execute some sort of splashy move during this year's trade season.
What said move could wind up being is truly anyone's guess at this point, however, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report seems to believe that Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine could be a worthwhile target to consider, and even concocted a hypothetical trade package that he believes could send him to the 11217.
Trade idea sends star guard Zach LaVine to Brooklyn Nets
Citing his proven track record as an inside-out stud scorer, coupled with their need for another go-to option on the offensive end, Buckley believes that adding a guy like LaVine could be quite beneficial for this currently stagnated Nets team.
"...they need more perimeter scoring punch after reducing Cam Thomas' role. A healthy LaVine could be the primary scoring option in Brooklyn, not to mention one of its top shot-creators and three-point threats."Zach Buckley
Zach dippin into his bag.@NBCSChicago | @ZachLaVine pic.twitter.com/OfpT1tTvB0
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 6, 2024
Despite dealing with a nagging right foot ailment that relegated him to the sidelines for 17 straight games this season, LaVine is still well recognized as one of the league's elite backcourt weapons thanks to his astonishing scoring touch and virtually unmatched athleticism.
Since establishing himself as a legitimate franchise cornerstone back in 2018-19, the combo guard has gone on to post electrifying per-game averages of 24.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and just shy of a steal on 47.5 percent shooting from the floor and 38.5 percent shooting from deep while earning two All-Star nods along the way.
Certainly not the first time the idea of a LaVine-to-Brooklyn trade has been proposed, this particular acquisition would not only be something that could aid in the team's postseason aspirations this year but for many others to come as he's only in year two of his five-year, $215 million deal and, considering he's still only in his 20s, there could very well be yet another long-term contract on the table once his current one expires in 2026 or 2027 (player option).
Should the Nets be hell-bent on bolstering the roster around Bridges this season, executing a deal such as this for the Bulls star would instantly provide them with one of the more menacing one-two punches in the conference and should be strongly considered before February 8's deadline.