Not so long ago, the Brooklyn Nets were keen to enter win-now mode at all costs, making the team’s general manager; Billy King, make several bold moves that pretty much ruined the franchise’s midterm future.
Not only the Brooklyn Nets failed on their Championship quest, but they didn’t even make so much as an Eastern Conference Finals, giving away a lot of picks for borderline washed out veterans.
On February 23rd, 2011
Brooklyn Nets landed Deron Williams in exchange for Derrick Favors, Devin Harris and a couple of 1st round picks, something that looked like quite a fair trade considering Williams was considered to be one of the best point guards in the world.
While Favors went on to have quite a decent career as one of the Jazz’ young studs, Williams would never be able to step up for Brooklyn as an injury prone guy that spend more time on the shelf than actually playing despite signing a max deal. On a side note, the Jazz used the pick to draft Alec Burks, an explosive scoring combo guard who’s struggled with injuries.
That very same day, the Nets landed Dan Gadzuric and Brandan Wright from Golden State in return for Murphy and a 2nd round pick the Warriors used to land Draymond Green, one of the league’s top-tier defenders and a 3 time NBA Champion after just 7 seasons in the league.
On the other hand, Brandan Wright would play for just a handful of games at Brooklyn before leaving as a free agent, while Gadzuric would also be headed out the door after just 14 games in a Nets uniform.
On March 15, 2012
The Nets made yet another bold move, to say the least, getting their hands on Gerald Wallace while sending Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams and their 1st round pick to the Portland Trail Blazers in another hope of becoming a Championship contender.
Being a top 3 protected pick, Billy King was extremely confident in this deal, but after the Nets finished the season with the 6th worst record, the Blazers would eventually have the chance to draft their future franchise cornerstone and Rookie of the Year: Damian Lillard, while Gerald Wallace wouldn’t be able to merely contribute as an aging tweener, big man.
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On July 12, 2013
Brooklyn Nets sent Gerald Wallace to the Boston Celtics in what have to be considered the dumbest trade in franchise history, pairing him with Keith Bogan, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph and 3 1st round picks, as well as the right to swap 1st round picks in 2017 just to get Jason Terry, DJ White, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.
Now, the Brooklyn Nets have entered a mediocrity spiral they can’t seem to get out of, as Terry, Garnett and Pierce would go on to barely make the playoffs and then leave the team, while Boston pretty much built a dynasty with the picks they got from Brooklyn, that wind up being James Young, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, a couple of future All-Stars and one of the most impressive and promising prospects in the league.
So yes, to sum this up, Billy King completely destroyed the Nets future, while also trading away the picks that wind up being Draymond Green, Damian Lillard, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Yikes.
