Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly looking to trade for a first round pick in this year's draft, but it may cost the team Brook Lopez or Thaddeus Young.
The Nets, who have traded their first round pick to the Boston Celtics three years ago, head into the 2016 NBA draft with only the 55th pick in their hands. According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders the Nets, along with the New York Knicks, are "aggressively" looking to acquire at least one pick, in the rookie draft later this month.
The Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks are each aggressively trying to acquire at least one pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, per sources.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 7, 2016
Timothy Palladino of Sports Illustrated's Fansided believes that while Nets general manager Sean Marks has been adamant about not trading the likes of Lopez and Young, the two players could be on the table if an enticing deal is on the table.
"The big names, Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Jarrett Jack are expected to say on the team and not be moved. However, the Nets are a team that may not be waiting for next year's free agent class or draft to improve their team," Palladino wrote.
While the trading both players would be another "step-back" for the Nets, Lopez and Young have more value than anyone in the team's roster, which could mean a higher return for the Nets.
It remains to be seen whether the Nets are looking to target top picks from 1-to-10 or late first round selections, but Gregory Hrinya of the Examiner has an idea of what Brooklyn could garner by trading either of the two.
According to Hrinya, Young would probably give the Nets a mid-first rounder ranging from No. 9 to No. 16, while Lopez should be able to net back a higher pick. However, Hrinya also mentioned that the Nets are in no position to trade away their All-Star center, which means Young could be the odd man out if the Nets pursue a first rounder in the draft.
The Nets are certainly in the hunt for pieces who could turn them into contenders following a disappointing season that saw the team finished with a 21-61 record. The franchise has started to make changes after hiring Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach, but they still need to add key players and young talents to help in their rebuild.
Trading Lopez or Young may give the Nets promising young talents, but keeping the two could be more instrumental in their run next season.
