The Brooklyn Nets have managed to pull off one blockbuster deal before the deadline approaches and might not be done there. The team has been in negotiations with the Sacramento Kings for the best part of 48 hours regarding a three-player deal and it appears the two sides have reach an agreement with just over 24 hours left in the trading period.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports that the Nets and Kings have agreed in principal to trade that will send Marcus Thornton to Brooklyn while Jason Terry and Reggie Evans head to Sacramento. The trade really is swapping underachieving players considering all three have not been impressing so far this season.
The move is essentially the swapping of disappointing plays. Thornton is putting up career lows for the Kings. He has struggled in the sixth man role, shooting just 31.8 percent after putting up a true shooting percentage of 54.4 just two seasons ago. Sacramento no longer sees Thornton as a future member of the team and Brooklyn is hoping a change in scenery helps the guard get back to his original stats. Moving Evans is the tough on for the Nets. The forward does not see a ton of playing time but he is the energy coming off the bench and true fan favorite. Terry's game has been dropping off for several seasons now although he can still put down some excellent 3-point shots.
The Nets are hoping Thornton can boost their offensive attack. Giving up Evans and Terry is certainly a lot for a player that has not looked good in the past two seasons, but Brooklyn appears convinced that Thornton can bounce back to being the real shooting threat he once was.
The deals do not stop there for Brooklyn. Once the trade with Sacramento is finalized, the team will target center Jordan Hill from the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nets have offered a second-round draft pick and a player exception for the big man. Brooklyn has been in search of size ever since Brook Lopez was lost for the year. Hill is a rebounding machine and would be a strong presence up front.
Brooklyn is waiting for these blockbuster deals to start paying off. Their season is just starting to take a turn for the better. Hill would certainly be a strong asset to acquire before the deadline and if Thornton can be half as good as he used to, it would make up for Terry's declining game.