In ESPN’s “Inside Pass” for Tuesday, Shams Charania focuses mainly on trade prospects for big names like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis, but also discusses potential moves for the Brooklyn Nets and other teams as Monday’s unofficial start of the NBA’s trade season approaches.
Although Shams does not lay out specifics — he makes no mention of Michael Porter Jr. or Nic Claxton for example — his reporting on Brooklyn has Sean Mark & co. preparing for even more salary dumps … and perhaps a Cam
Thomas trade.
Re: salary dumps, Shams says the Nets cap space has led to “increased talks” involving Brooklyn, even suggesting the team could add to its league-leading number.
The Nets have $15 million in cap space and can create more, which has led to increased trade talks about using their room to absorb salary while receiving assets, sources said. The Nets, Pistons ($14.1 million trade exception) and Utah Jazz ($18.4 million trade exception) are the only teams with significant room that can take in larger deals and not be impacted by the apron.
Brooklyn engaged in four salary dumps over the summer, using $40 million in cap space to acquire Michael Porter Jr., two first rounders one of which became Drake Powell; Terrance Mann; Haywood Highsmith: Kobe Bufkin and a second rounder. Bufkin was later waived.
The ESPN insider’s most specific comment re the Nets relates to Cam Thomas’ situation. The 6’4” shooting guard hasn’t played November 5 due to recurring hamstring issues. He’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks, after December 15 when most players signed or traded during the summer become eligible to be moved.
Brooklyn could also work with Cam Thomas’ agents at Octagon to navigate his future, potentially via trade, as he plays the remainder of the season on the qualifying offer and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. Thomas is averaging 21.4 points but hasn’t played since Nov. 5 after injuring his hamstring.
Although Shams doesn’t mention it, Thomas and Antetokounmpo share an agent in Alex Saratsis, perhaps increasing the possibility that Thomas might be moved in a multi-team trade facilitated by Brooklyn. Thomas must approve any trade.
Shams also writes that the Nets have “seen progress” from its five first rounders and Noah Clowney.
The Nets, who made five first-round picks in June’s draft, have seen rookies progress in their development, including Egor Demin and Danny Wolf. Third-year forward Noah Clowney is also having a career season so far, averaging 13.3 points, 3.8 assists and 36.1% from 3.averaging 13.3 points, 3.8 assists and 36.1% from 3.
As for the big question that will likely dominate the trade season – whether Antetokounmpo gets moved – Shams had this to report:
As reported last week, Antetokounmpo, who is out for several weeks because of a right calf strain, and his agent, Alex Saratsis, have opened discussions with the Bucks about the future and whether the best path forward is to stay in Milwaukee or be traded. The Bucks are 10-15 after losing 10 of their past 12 games and have spent most of the past few weeks at No. 10 or No. 11 in the Eastern Conference standings. Should the Bucks’ slide continue, sources said discussions between Antetokounmpo’s representation and the franchise will escalate and lead to a resolution before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
In addition to Monday’s increase in the number of players available to trade — 82 — the NBA’s upcoming calendar includes the G League Showcase in Orlando from December 19-22, serving as the NBA’s version of MLB’s winter meetings.
