Brooklyn Nets

Report: Nets exploring trades involving Mason Plumlee

Published May. 27, 2015 1:26 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

There was a time just this year when the Nets had Mason Plumlee cleanly off the table in any deal. Actually, back before February's trade deadline, an unwillingness to deal the second-year big man is what eventually led to the fall of Deron Williams-related trade talks with the Kings. But that was when Plumlee was playing his best basketball ever, looking like a legitimate piece for the team's future.

How long ago does that feel?

By the end of the year, Plumlee had fallen out of coach Lionel Hollins' favor and was removed from the starting lineup. He was in the rotation, getting minutes, but not nearly enough to make a high impact. So now, with his value far lower than it was back in December when he was racking up all those double-doubles, the Nets are testing his open-market value, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

It makes sense for the Nets to deal Plumlee if they're going to keep Brook Lopez, a free agent this offseason (though Lopez does have a $16.7 million player option for 2015-16). Brooklyn has said re-signing Lopez is its top priority, and if there's one thing we learned this past season, it's that those two big men cannot play together successfully. The on/off numbers for Lopez-Plumlee lineups were dreadful this season, as was the overall experience. Plumlee pushed Lopez away from the rim on offense (where he's far less effective) and Lopez did the same to Plumlee on defense (where he is far less effective). It never worked. So, a trade makes sense. The Nets just better hope it's not too late.

(H/t to Brett Pollakoff at NBC Sports for the find.)

Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

share

Get more from Brooklyn Nets Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Brooklyn Nets

National Basketball Association