Kenneth Faried (Photo : Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets could explore a trade for Kenneth Faried, with the team still having plenty of cap room to orchestrate a deal this offseason.
The Nets could look for upgrades to bolster their lineup this season, with a handful of names available in the trade market. While there are no certain names yet confirmed as Brooklyn's trade target, the Nets are considered as one of the teams likely to be active exploring deals, with the team still having enough cap room to facilitate trade deals, according to NBA analyst and former Nets general manager Sean Marks.
"Often teams with salary cap space who miss out on free agents will deviate from their initial plan and make rash decisions," Marks wrote.
"Brooklyn, however, showed restraint and kept flexibility after the offer sheets on Johnson and Crabbe were matched. Although the Nets had $40 million-plus in cap space, Brooklyn went the one-year route with veterans Scola, Vasquez and Foye."
With $17.7 million in cap space, the Nets could manage to add one more piece who could boost their chances of contending in the 2016-2017 regular season. As suggested by TJ Porreca of Sports Illustrated's Fansided, one trade target the Nets may consider is Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried.
"If Faried is available, this is an avenue the Brooklyn Nets should at least explore. Depending on what Denver's asking price is, this could be a worthwhile move for the Nets," Porreca wrote.
"Acquiring Faried would not destroy the Nets' cap space, as he is set to make just over $12 million this season. In addition to 2016-17, the Nets would have control of Faried for 2017-18, and 2018-19 as well. In the final year of his extension he signed with the Nuggets, Faried's salary reaches a high of $13.7 million. But even that amount would be manageable in the future for Brooklyn."
Adding Faried, who averaged 12.5 points and 8.7 rebounds for the Nuggets last season, would give the Nets another quality big man who can be effective on both ends of the floor. Faried's athleticism and ability to finish at the rim should see him fit well in Kenny Atkinson's playbooks and would be an ideal pair playing alongside Jeremy Lin.
However, while it is unclear whether the Nets have true interests in acquiring Faried, it is also uncertain if the Nuggets would let go of the "Manimal" without any significant return.
The Nuggets are stacked with talented young players in all positions, but lack an All-Star caliber player to lead the team's core roster. Trading Faried should get the Nuggets a proven veteran like Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay, who is also rumored to be available.
But if there is any chance the Nets could get their hands on Kenneth Faried without giving any key players or future draft picks, it is a deal worth considering for Brooklyn.
