I believe the swap is tied in with the BKN pick We get the 2 best of ours, BKN or MIA picks. The worst goes to MIA (currently their own)
If that Nets pick ends up in lottery then it will give FO a plethora of options. *Trade that pick for a proven All Star caliber player. *Package pick or player(s) (e.g. EGo, Green and/or Wood) to move even further up into top heavy draft. *Stay put and take best player available.
I believe that the only reason the team hasn’t completely turned on Kyrie is because they still think there’s time for him to change his mind or mandates to get lifted before the playoffs or even play-in starts…if they would even tolerate Kyrie missing home playoff games, then I wouldn’t know what to say James was the one who wasn’t willing to wait on a hope and a prayer that Kyrie won’t be dumb or the mayor will lift the mandate…7 of the next 8 games were about to be Harden playing with a G-League squad that can’t shoot
this same G-League roster that Kyrie can’t get a win with, Harden used to beat the Lakers and Clippers on the road dropping a 36 point triple double and 39 and 15 Kyrie sees how hard it is to win with this roster when he’s out there by himself, but it’s no worries for Kyrie…he’s about to get a 2 week vacation because he can’t play, so it would’ve been up to Harden to go out there and play by himself If Kyrie was injured it would be 1 thing, but because of a vaccine that the entire team took and even anti-vaxxers like Wiggins and Beal took? Nah man, that’s pure fckery
26 Nets games remaining 8 Kyrie eligible games @ Bucks Celtics Hornets 76ers Magic Grizzlies Heat Hawks
Won't matter much with KD returning in a few games, also Simmons suits up at some point too. Nets are just 5 games back from 3rd seed
The issue though, is that the past 1.5 seasons, the Nets had the luxury of being super cautious with their stars and injuries. If they lose out until the ASB, they can no longer do that as the 9 seed. Plus their schedule after the ASB starts off tough: a hot Celtics team twice, Bucks, a hot Raptors team twice, and the Heat. And only 2 with Kyrie. Even with KD, they may be lucky to be >.500 through that. Yes the back end of their schedule is easier, but with KD having to pull more minutes and possibly playing through stuff, who knows what happens. I also think people are really over-estimating how quickly Simmons will get on the court with reasonable minutes and mesh with the rest of the team.
There is a huge range of what could happen. I have been hyped since they lost about 4 in a row and was told the same stuff. Well now they have lost another 7. They are digging a huge hole right now that will be very difficult to dig out of with their circumstances (although it is possible) I wonder if they get a win before the all star break....
So 11 losses in a row for the Nets. 3 of those losses were at home, with 8 being road games with Irving. The last 5 were without Harden, and the 1 home game in that stretch without Irving, as well. If I were a Nets fan, besides being pissed at Harden, I'd be furious with Irving missing those home games. In interviews, Kyrie seems blissfully unaware that he's costing them games, and likely played a role in Harden deciding to leave for Philadelphia, in my opinion. It's such a crazy situation there, one that looks like it's definitely helping us.
KD isn’t just a few games away from being back. If things continue this way I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s out for the season. Simmons isn’t magically going to be ready to play anytime soon. If either come back too soon they are risking serious injury. This is easily the best chance for the Rockets ‘ fate to change.
I dont think Kyrie stays after this season and wouldnt be surprised if they totally dismantle the team next year KD to the Lakers?
I wish they still had that fat bearded bum that spammed 3 pointers at a 33% clip, turned the ball over 5 times a game and decided to quit when things got tough.
Between KD coming back and having to get back into a groove, Kyrie not playing home games and trying to integrate Simmons I really think they could struggle for a while....like remainder of the season, a while... I think their next "easy" game considering all circumstances will be a month from now on March 15 when they play in Orlando. KD and Ben should have played a few games together by then, KD should be in good shape and it's an away game so Kyrie will be available. Charlotte and Atlanta need to get it together and take advantage. A total collapse by Brooklyn would be sweet.
Unfortunately Simmons doesn't need game time to find his shooting touch... He should make an immediate impact with defence and playmaking. Hopefully the time to gel with other players takes a while!!
