The Brooklyn Nets are all-in on the moment

The James Harden trade tends to make the prepare for the Brooklyn Nets crystal distinct. They are all-in on this window of possibility.

Danny Small

The Brooklyn Nets are the proud homeowners of the NBA’s latest “big three.” As James Harden‘s tenure with the Houston Rockets was heading up in flames, it became distinct that he was heading to the Philadelphia 76ers or the Nets.

When thrust came to shove, the Nets ended up the team prepared to shift all their chips to the middle of the table. They are all-in on Harden and this moment. There are no two ways about it — it’s championship or bust in Brooklyn.

Just after investing absent two of their most promising players in Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen and a treasure upper body of first-round draft picks and decide swaps, the Nets need to have a championship to justify the shift.

Early reactions to the offer referenced the notorious Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry trade, but they are incomparable. The trio of Garnett-Pierce-Terry was about the hill. Although Harden might not be in peak problem at the moment, the former MVP must have no challenge rounding into sort in his new home.

The shift reunites Harden with Kevin Durant (and Jeff Eco-friendly). They ended up teammates on the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012 and built a excursion to the NBA Finals in advance of ultimately slipping to LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Last period, Harden linked up with an additional outdated teammate — Russell Westbrook. The reunion tour didn’t go as planned.

Having said that, Durant is only a a lot far better player than Westbrook at this point in their professions. Durant and Harden are the two top-five in the NBA when they are wholesome and motivated (individuals terms are in that buy for a explanation).

Harden and Durant comprise the ideal duo in the Eastern Meeting with out a question. Apart from LeBron James and Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Harden-Durant pairing is a slash previously mentioned the relaxation.

But was not this intended to be a “big three” in Brooklyn? What took place to that 3rd star?

Kyrie Irving continues his sabbatical

Kyrie Irving is absent from the team for individual factors and there is no general public timetable for when he might return. The mercurial point guard was noticed at his sister’s birthday get together and on a Zoom connect with for Manhattan district legal professional candidate Tahanie Aboushi.

GM Sean Marks had this to say of Irving’s absence in a press release:

“We are aware of a movie on social media showcasing Kyrie Irving at a family members accumulating. We are reviewing the situations with the two Kyrie and the NBA in buy to ascertain compliance with wellness and safety protocols.

Kyrie remains absent from the team thanks to individual factors. A day of his return has still to be finalized. In the meantime, we will carry on to remain focused on our organizational targets.

Kyrie will have the possibility to address his absence when he is completely ready to do so.”

So, exactly where in the planet is Kyrie Sandiego? It is reasonable to commence inquiring “if” he’s coming again rather of “when” at this point. NBA players seldom go AWOL, but we all know Irving marches to the conquer of his individual drum.

Irving has talked about retiring young in advance of. If he ended up to in fact go via with it, the trade for Harden gives Durant a explanation to remain in Brooklyn for more time than his existing offer (which he can choose-out of at the close of the 2021-22 period.

Yet again, the Harden-Durant pairing tends to make the Nets a championship contender on their individual. Irving’s unexplained absence may perhaps have forced Marks to be additional aggressive in his pursuit of Harden.

Should Irving return to the team and commence actively playing all over again, developing chemistry with two other ball-dominant stars will consider some time, but they will figure it out.

Prior to the Knicks-Nets recreation on Wednesday, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau was asked if it’s hard to figure out how three stars can co-exist. Of study course, Brooklyn’s trio is a bit distinctive from the just one Thibodeau coached in Boston, but typically, talent wins out in the close.

Depth is not an difficulty proper now

Depth is not heading to be an difficulty for the Nets. Dropping LeVert, Allen, and Taurean Prince — three critical rotational players — hurts in the small-phrase, but the Nets will be ready to replace that output.

Seem no additional than Wednesday for a sneak peek at how Brooklyn might go about filling in individuals gaps. DeAndre Jordan set up just one of his ideal video games of the 12 months. Bruce Brown was all about the court, scooping up rebounds still left and proper. Landry Shamet might have shot himself out of his early-period funk. And even rookie center Reggie Perry flashed some probable.

There are men on the roster who will have new chances to solidify roles in the rotation. If they don’t, the Nets can search to the acquire-out market for veteran replacements. They have options.

This team is constructed for a deep run in the playoffs and rotations tend to tighten up in the months of May possibly and June. For now, Nets followers can truly feel glad recognizing they have two of the most dominant players in the NBA.

The Nets are all-in on this team and this moment.