Empire Writes Back
Fansided

Brooklyn Nets Trading for Former Lottery Pick is Perfect Rebuilding Move

The Brooklyn Nets made an under-the-radar move trading for Ziaire Williams, which could end up being valuable down the line.

By Nicholas Rome

Apr 12, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) reacts after fouling New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) reacts after fouling New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

It's no surprise that the Brooklyn Nets are attempting to bottom out this season after trading away Mikal Bridges as the team enters a rebuild. The team is moving into this era in part due to the failures of the Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden era in Brooklyn.

As the Nets look to rebuild, there is going to be a ton of fresh faces in Brooklyn as they look to find new pieces to build around.

On Friday, the Nets made a trade sending Mamadi Diakite and the draft rights for 2014 second-round pick Nemanja Dangubic to the Grizzlies for Ziaire Williams as the Grizzlies look to re-sign some of their key pieces.

As a recruit coming out of high school, Williams was a consensus five-star recruit playing at Sierra Canyon alongside Bronny James and Zaire Wade. In his lone season at the college level, Williams struggled, averaging just 10.7 points per game but he was so talented that the Grizzlies still selected him tenth overall.

Up to this point, Williams is averaging just 7.5 points with 1.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. This move, however, is the perfect move for a team like the Brooklyn Nets as they attempt to rebuild.

The Nets now have a former top-ten selection that the team could look to develop into a key piece for their rebuild or to trade to get more assets. The Nets have a coach in Jordi Fernandez that is known for his player development ability which will be massive for a player like Williams.

The Nets can now look to continue this roster teardown while bringing in talented young players. The two massive trade chips the team can look to move are Dorian Finney-Smith and Cameron Johnson as contending teams will certainly continue to call the Nets on them. Moving on from both players will land the Nets a ton of assets while allowing this roster to fully bottom out so they can pursue a top draft pick like Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey.

More Brooklyn Nets News:

feed

Home/Brooklyn Nets