Trade Grades
Click here for link to Portland Trail Blazers Trade Grade
Nets get: Draft rights to SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (#23 pick), PG Steve Blake
Blazers get: C/PF Mason Plumlee, SG/SF Pat Connaughton (#41 pick)
Well, Brooklyn seems committed to C Brook Lopez. They dealt away Lopez’s quality backup, Plumlee, here, and now need to re-sign him in free agency more than ever. This trade also shows that the Nets have an eye on the future, acquiring a prospect like Hollis-Jefferson, and are just counting down the days until the albatross contracts of PG Deron Williams and SG/SF Joe Johnson come off the books. It could also show that the Nets are just simply trying to save money by acquiring a cheap rookie contract in Hollis-Jefferson that can contribute right away. We don’t know. What we do know, however, is that Brooklyn got fair value for a quality big man (Plumlee) in this deal.
Plumlee is a quality big man, a good rotational piece that can rebound and defend, as well as the ability to occasionally get a basket or two. His offensive game is limited, but he’s still just 25 years old and is only a two-year veteran, so there’s more time for development there. His production was sound this season: 8.7 points on an efficient 57.3%, 6.2 rebounds, and a combined 1.6 blocks and steals per game in 21.3 minutes. He shouldn’t be relied upon as a full-time starter, but will be missed in Brooklyn, as the Nets must find a replacement up front for the Duke product. He was also on his cheap rookie deal for the next two years (combined just $3.7 million).
Connaughton, the #41 pick, could materialize as a solid rotational piece in the pros. The effort is always there with him: he has a high motor, is tough, physical, and is always hard-working when he’s on the floor, especially on defense. He’s also an excellent shooter that already has NBA three-point range (the pro 3-point line is a few feet further back than the college line). However, he is already 22 years old, so his long-term upside has is capped, and really isn’t particularly quick, especially when slashing to the basket. He’s also a bit undersized for his position. All in all, there were questions about whether Connaughton would even get drafted, so giving him up is really no big deal for Brooklyn.
Blake has always been no more than a backup point guard, and that’s especially true now that he’s 35 years old. Hecan knock down threes, however, as he hit one a game on an efficient 35.2% from beyond the arc. Blake is a solid defender, and also averaged 3.6 assists per game last year, so he can effectively run the second unit. However, he is very limited offensively and with Williams and PG Jarrett Jack ahead of him on the depth chart in Brooklyn, Blake won’t get much playing time in Brooklyn. He was mainly involved due to his expiring contract worth $2.1 million.
Hollis-Jefferson is the real prize of this deal for the Nets. The #23 pick has a completely busted jump shot, and although that’s a glaring weakness, it’s really his only one. Hollis-Jefferson is a fantastic defender that can guard multiple positions. He boasts tremendous physical gifts as well: his length, strength, speed, quickness and athleticism are all outstanding, and that stuff just isn’t teachable. He has a high motor, superb handles, and can slash to the basket and finish. His defensive skills and intangibles will translate from college to the NBA right away, but he will need to develop a solid jumper if he wants to become an offensive force in the pros. There’s both a short and long-term role for him in Brooklyn.
Overall, I like this deal for the Nets. They get a guy that can both contribute right away and possesses star potential down the line in Hollis-Jefferson. Losing Plumlee hurts, yes, but he is replaceable via free agency. A guy you pay $1 million a year that could be big-time, well, he’s not replaceable via free agency. Good move here by Brooklyn for both the short and the long-term.
Grade: B+
Click here for link to Portland Trail Blazers Trade Grade
Nets get: Draft rights to SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (#23 pick), PG Steve Blake
Blazers get: C/PF Mason Plumlee, SG/SF Pat Connaughton (#41 pick)
Well, Brooklyn seems committed to C Brook Lopez. They dealt away Lopez’s quality backup, Plumlee, here, and now need to re-sign him in free agency more than ever. This trade also shows that the Nets have an eye on the future, acquiring a prospect like Hollis-Jefferson, and are just counting down the days until the albatross contracts of PG Deron Williams and SG/SF Joe Johnson come off the books. It could also show that the Nets are just simply trying to save money by acquiring a cheap rookie contract in Hollis-Jefferson that can contribute right away. We don’t know. What we do know, however, is that Brooklyn got fair value for a quality big man (Plumlee) in this deal.
Plumlee is a quality big man, a good rotational piece that can rebound and defend, as well as the ability to occasionally get a basket or two. His offensive game is limited, but he’s still just 25 years old and is only a two-year veteran, so there’s more time for development there. His production was sound this season: 8.7 points on an efficient 57.3%, 6.2 rebounds, and a combined 1.6 blocks and steals per game in 21.3 minutes. He shouldn’t be relied upon as a full-time starter, but will be missed in Brooklyn, as the Nets must find a replacement up front for the Duke product. He was also on his cheap rookie deal for the next two years (combined just $3.7 million).
Connaughton, the #41 pick, could materialize as a solid rotational piece in the pros. The effort is always there with him: he has a high motor, is tough, physical, and is always hard-working when he’s on the floor, especially on defense. He’s also an excellent shooter that already has NBA three-point range (the pro 3-point line is a few feet further back than the college line). However, he is already 22 years old, so his long-term upside has is capped, and really isn’t particularly quick, especially when slashing to the basket. He’s also a bit undersized for his position. All in all, there were questions about whether Connaughton would even get drafted, so giving him up is really no big deal for Brooklyn.
Blake has always been no more than a backup point guard, and that’s especially true now that he’s 35 years old. Hecan knock down threes, however, as he hit one a game on an efficient 35.2% from beyond the arc. Blake is a solid defender, and also averaged 3.6 assists per game last year, so he can effectively run the second unit. However, he is very limited offensively and with Williams and PG Jarrett Jack ahead of him on the depth chart in Brooklyn, Blake won’t get much playing time in Brooklyn. He was mainly involved due to his expiring contract worth $2.1 million.
Hollis-Jefferson is the real prize of this deal for the Nets. The #23 pick has a completely busted jump shot, and although that’s a glaring weakness, it’s really his only one. Hollis-Jefferson is a fantastic defender that can guard multiple positions. He boasts tremendous physical gifts as well: his length, strength, speed, quickness and athleticism are all outstanding, and that stuff just isn’t teachable. He has a high motor, superb handles, and can slash to the basket and finish. His defensive skills and intangibles will translate from college to the NBA right away, but he will need to develop a solid jumper if he wants to become an offensive force in the pros. There’s both a short and long-term role for him in Brooklyn.
Overall, I like this deal for the Nets. They get a guy that can both contribute right away and possesses star potential down the line in Hollis-Jefferson. Losing Plumlee hurts, yes, but he is replaceable via free agency. A guy you pay $1 million a year that could be big-time, well, he’s not replaceable via free agency. Good move here by Brooklyn for both the short and the long-term.
Grade: B+
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