4. Brooklyn Nets PF Trevor Booker
There’s been next to no chatter surrounding Trevor Booker, so I’m going out on a bit of a limb here. Booker is currently in the first season of a two-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets, who owe him an average of $9.2 million.
Why I think the Nets could shock the NBA world and deal him by Thursday is because he’s 29, playing on a team so clearly tanking. Getting rid of a vet opens up time for one of their younger options.
Wojnarowski recently disclosed that the Wizards and Nets are in the early stages of a deal centered around three-point specialist Bojan Bogdanovic. If Brooklyn is listening to offers for him, they would surely do so for Booker as well.
The Heat’s need at power forward is apparent. Most speculate Miami would prefer to acquire a shooter to spread the floor next to Whiteside. Booker wouldn’t do that, as he attempts just over one three-pointer per contest. What he would do, however, is help the Heat form one of the most powerful starting frontcourts in the NBA.
Because, you see, Booker is a 6-foot-8, 220-pound tank at the 4. He’s averaging 10.2 points and 8.2 rebounds coming off the bench for the Nets, while dishing out a career-high 2.2 assists per game. Booker is athletic enough to chase around stretch-4’s, or bang with back-to-the-basket big men down low.
A straight up McRoberts for Booker trade is plausible, and allows Miami to get a non-contributor off their play roll. Meanwhile, Brooklyn has the cap space to withstand McRoberts’ addition. Who knows, maybe a change of scenery is what he needs to find his form from 2013-’14.