Mock trade has Nets trading Patty Mills for JaVale McGee and 2nd-round pick
With the offseason in full effect, the Brooklyn Nets have some time to ponder who they are taking in the 2023 NBA Draft or if they can pull off a trade of some sort. The summer season also comes to its fair share of mock trades and this piece will ponder another one for Brooklyn.
Most of the mock trades for the Nets this offseason have involved players like Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Nic Claxton since those are the most valuable players on the team at the moment. While those players are among the best on the squad, Brooklyn would be using them to acquire a superstar such as Portland Trail Blazer Damian Lillard.
The mock trade that will be evaluated in this article will be less exciting than most trades, but it would still be important to the franchise given the assets involved. Per Jakob Ashlin of Fansided, Brooklyn could look to get some value for veteran guard Patty Mills.
The Mock Trade:
Brooklyn Nets receive: JaVale McGee and unprotected 2025 2nd-round pick
Dallas Mavericks receive: Patty Mills
Should the Nets do this trade?
Mills, 34, played in just 40 games for the Nets despite not being hurt at any point of the season. Whether it was before or after the trades of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Mills had an inconsistent place in Jacque Vaughn’s rotation because of his deficiencies on defense.
Mills’ shooting also did not have the impact that it used to as he shot below his career shooting percentages from the field and from three. With the amount of struggles that Brooklyn was having on defense, Mills had to take a backseat.
The second-round pick is nice to get for draft capital purposes and getting McGee could finally give the Nets the competent backup center that the team has been looking for. McGee is nothing special as a player, but he can provide stability as the backup to Nic Claxton and be a veteran mentor for Day’Ron Sharpe. Sharpe has upside, but he is just scratching the surface of what he can do at the NBA level and McGee could help him through that process.
Verdict: Yes, the Nets should do this trade.
What Fansided Thinks Of The Trade
“Mills has one year worth approximately $6.8 million left on his deal. He is no longer in his prime, but he still could have value to a playoff team. He is a career 38.9 percent 3-point shooter with championship experience.
There are some logical fits. The Portland Trail Blazers lack point guard depth behind Damian Lillard. The Dallas Mavericks just need depth period.
However, it will be difficult for the Nets to get significant value in any potential deal. They will likely have to take on a bad contract in return.”
