3. Mikal Bridges
What are the Brooklyn Nets doing, exactly? They are 19-28 after a dreadful January and a full game out of the play-in tournament. Things aren’t working and they are one of the teams most often mentioned as the trade deadline approaches.
While they are believed to be shopping bit pieces like Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale, rival teams should aim higher. Mikal Bridges is a high-end, two-way wing who would be an ideal addition to any contender. The problem for the Nets is that he’s already 27, firmly in his prime but too old to start a rebuild with.
If the Nets were to trade Bridges, they would probably be able to get back something similar to what the Raptors got for O.G. Anunoby: Two good, young players and a draft pick.
The Heat could offer Herro, Nikola Jovic and a first-round pick, and the Nets would have to at least think about it. Herro is 24, Jovic is 20, and both make more sense for a rebuilding team.
Adding Bridges to a lineup with Rozier, Butler and Adebayo would be the makings of a formidable foursome in the East that could finish the season as a top-five defense and have enough scoring juice for a postseason run.