The Brooklyn Nets could be in for some major changes moving forward, as Mikhail Prokhorov is considering selling the team and this comes as the franchise has considered trade deals with Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson and if they go through with those, teams like the Knicks, Lakers, Chicago bulls, Miami Heat or LA Clippers could be interested in dealing.
According to ESPN.com, Prokhorov is set to "explore" the sale of the franchise and he has brought in Evercore Partners to consult and help him do it. According to Bloomberg, Prokhorov previously considered selling the team and now it looks like he will be ready to do it. Prokhorov has an 80 percent stake in the team and also has 45 percent of the Barclays Center arena where the team plays. Barclays will also have the Islanders in the future and due to the arena, this sale could be huge.
The team reportedly is worthy over $1 billion and the sale likely will be in the market with what Steve Ballmer paid for the Clippers, although not in the $2 billion range. The Nets have been in the middle of a tough season and they have Lionel Hollins running things after Jason Kidd jumped ship. The team is just 16-22 and according to ESPN.com, the Nets have considered trading players like Williams and Lopez, as they have shopped them in deals heading towards the NBA trade deadline in February.
Williams was considered a target for the Kings, but the two sides did not work out a deal. Williams has dealt with some injury issues this season and in the past he has had multiple injuries on his ankles. Lopez also has had injury issues in the past, but with his age he could be a strong option for teams at the deadline. The Lakers could be interested in Williams, as they need a pint guard moving forward into 2015, while Johnson could be an option for any offensively challenged contenders at the deadline.
Prokhorov has not been shy about spending and the team in turn has lost a ton of money, as they have had to pay over $130 million in luxury tax. The team reportedly operated at a $144 million loss from last season and that came after big moves for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. The team now is likely going to get sold for a ton of money compared to what it was purchased for and if trades go down, it could set up a rough stretch for the Nets over the next few years.
The Nets come into the week ranked near the bottom of the league in scoring and while they are 10th in points allowed, they are in the middle of the mix in the east. The Nets have spent big over the past few years and that did not turn into a championship and now the team may be sold by Prokhorov, who became the first foreign owner of an NBA team. Prokhorov spent $223 million to buy the team in May 2010 and following the move to Brooklyn, the franchise is looked at as one of the most valuable in the NBA.
