[The following submission is from the Brooklyn Nets, run by students in the mock deadline practicum at the SBC Las Vegas Immersive.]

Assignment: Brooklyn Nets

Team Members: Andrew Crookes, Anchit Nath, Jay Brown, Devin Zanskas, Shant Ohanian, Caleb Gipson 

After soul-searching as a franchise, the decision was made to move on from Kevin Durant, who had demanded a trade leading into the free-agent period. The focus would shift to players who want to be a part of the Nets, eleven if that meant rebuilding in a new light.

While we chose to gauge interest in Kyrie Irving, dealing him just to bottom out wasn’t appealing. With our own limited draft assets after the James Harden deal and the recent acquisition of Ben Simmons, the goal wasn’t a complete and total restart.

We agreed that Simmons should be the centerpiece moving forward, as a floor general, similar to his role with the Philadelphia 76ers or as the de-facto center, facilitating and screening (similar to Draymond Green). Provided we added pieces that complement his weaknesses; he would be empowered to return to an All-NBA level.

After complex negotiations with several teams, we came to terms with the Toronto Raptors for Durant, bringing back four first-round picks and several talented players like OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Precious Achuiwa. We saw Anunoby as the perfect wing next to Simmons.

While we toyed with several Irving opportunities, he made it clear through his representatives that he was interested in playing with the roster we had put together. We hadn’t initially planned on an Irving extension, but we felt a motivated Irving, a healthy Simmons and our newcomers that we have the bones of a contending team.

When we looked around the league, only a few teams with the cap space to take on the contract, we felt we needed to move in Joe Harris.  We sent the Spurs what projects to be a late first-rounder. Harris was coming off injury, and the trade (that also brought in Romeo Langford) saved over $79 million in projected luxury tax payments.

After our moves, we couldn’t be happier as an organization.  We can roll out an 11-deep, versatile defensive lineup. We re-stocked our pantry with four firsts for Durant while filling the roster with length and just two players who shot under 35% from three (perfect around a non-shooter like Simmons). 

Trade 1

  • Brooklyn received Pascal Siakam, OG Annunoby, Precious Achiuwa, three first-rounders (2023, 2025 and 2027) and a 2028 first-round swap from the Toronto Raptors.
  • Toronto received: Kevin Durant, Day’Ron Sharpe.

Trade 2

  • Brooklyn received Romeo Langford.
  • San Antonio received Joe Harris and a 2023 first-rounder (top-14 protected; else conveys as a 2028 second-rounder via the Philadelphia 76ers and a 2028 Brooklyn second-rounder).

Other

  • Signed Kyrie Irving to a four-year, $198 million extension.
  • Renounced the rights to LaMarcus Aldridge and Blake Griffin.

Final Roster

PG: Ben Simmons, Patty Mills, Edmond Sumner

SG: Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, Cam Thomas, David Duke Jr.

SF: OG Annunoby, Royce O’Neale, Kessler Edwards, Romeo Langford

PF: Pascal Siakam, TJ Warren

C: Precious Achiuwa, Nicolas Claxton

– Andrew Crookes