Adam Armbrecht here, the host of the daily Locked On Nets podcast, with your daily Locked On Nets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Nets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
The Eastern Conference Is Killing The Brooklyn Nets Draft Stock
Dec 8, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (28) reacts to a technical foul call made by referee Nick Buchert (3) during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | John Jones/John Jones-Imagn Images
The Brooklyn Nets will take on the Memphis Grizzles on Friday night following a four-day layoff. Brooklyn has already defeated Memphis twice this season, with the last win coming in a 106-104 down-to-the-wire victory on November 4th.
Since then, however, Memphis has gotten healthy and gotten on a role. After a 4-4 start to the season, the Grizzlies have gone 13-4 including winning nine out of their last ten. This, in short, explains why Brooklyn will enter action as 9.5-point dogs on the road.
The other reason? The Nets have started to fade in recent weeks Following the jubilant 127-117 victory over the Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn has lost four out of five and dropped to 10-14 on the season.
What makes it even worse for the Nets, is they still remain outside of the lottery odds in next year’s draft. The combination of a deep and competitive Western Conference along with a muddled Eastern Conference leaves a very odd-looking Draft order at the moment.
Seven out of the top ten per Tankathon.com 2025 Draft order reside in the East. 10-14 however are all Western Conference teams, who all have .500 or better records entering action on Friday.
San Antonio at 12-12 is very much reaching the crossroads of how they will approach the trade deadline. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings are riding the three-game winning streak(13-13) while Phoenix has fizzled of late dropping their last three, now 12-11. Minnesota rounds out the lottery at 12-11 also, playing .500 basketball over the last ten games.
With only 1.5 games separating the 5th seed from the 12th, the West remains a deep and engaged Conference. Meanwhile...
After the top four in the East, it is a bit of a who’s who of who cares. Yes, the Miami Heat have won three in a row but rumors swirl around Jimmy Butler’s future. The Bucks, after a slow start, are certainly noteworthy even at 12-11.
Behind the 7th seed Atlanta Hawks(14-12) sits Brooklyn, IN THE 8TH SEED! The only team currently in a playoff position with a losing record. They are the only team in a playoff position that is an unequivocal seller as trade rumors heat up. Forgive me for my angst. This has to stop!
The good news is that after Friday, Brooklyn jumps right into the 10th spot in the lottery. The better news is that after the weekend, the Nets might be as high as 8th.
The best news is that the Nets are likely to make significant roster moves sooner rather than later, which should push their record deeper into the negative. But for the love of God, can these Eastern Conference teams wake up, win some games, and help a franchise out?
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Brooklyn Nets’ trade strategies and potential moves, tune into the Locked On Nets podcast for this and much more.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in action against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. | Brett Davis/Brett Davis-Imagn Images
I was going to write about the NBA Cup semi-finals today but Milwaukee head coach, Doc Rivers, beat me to it by putting it all pretty succinctly with this:
“I mean, we’re gonna bring our wheelchairs to the cup because we have these three young teams. You know, everybody’s — Atlanta is young, Oklahoma is young, Houston is young. Then here comes the old Milwaukee Bucks, wheeling in. That’s what we are gonna be. We’re gonna just wheel in our wheelchairs and come in on our canes and see if we can just play some basketball. That’s what we are gonna do.”
So instead, let’s talk about superstars and trades. Not because any are going to be traded, but because the allure of the possibility of people like LeBron James and Jimmy Butler — people who create their own gravity — has once again hit peak saturation in NBA discourse.
The Heat floated the idea of a Butler trade, either directly or indirectly, and speculation over which team would make a ready destination followed suit. These things tend to go like dominoes — one of Butler’s favourite pastimes — but in terms of veracity, look no further than Butler’s own agent quashing the speculation. Yes, things have read as weirdly remiss in Miami, especially involving Butler, going back to team president Pat Riley’s end of season press conference. In it, Riley seemed to suggest the Heat were behind Butler so long as he was behind them. It’s a statement that should be self-evident, which is why it’s worth taking a second look at.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Must Read The best defense in the NBA is 4,500 screaming maniacs, or how the Clippers built the best home court advantage. (WSJ)
Analysis Even the Wizards are surprised they’re losing like this. (The Athletic)
Rumor NBA trade intel on Lakers, Pelicans, Warriors, Heat, Hawks and more from two ESPN insiders.
Award Did you know? PrizePicks is the best place to cash in on your sports knowledge. All you have to do is correctly pick More or Less on a couple of player’s stats and then watch the money roll in. Prove your knowledge on PrizePicks.*
Preview The Brooklyn Nets face the Memphis Grizzlies with key players like Ja Morant and Nic Claxton in the spotlight. Expect a thrilling showdown. (NetsDaily)
Roster Shake Milton embraces the opportunity for increased minutes in his first season with the Brooklyn Nets, showcasing his readiness to contribute significantly. Read his perspective. (New York Post)
Trade The Brooklyn Nets remain unfazed by potential changes before the trade deadline, focusing on their current roster and strategies. Understand their approach. (New York Post)
Rumor The Nets are likely to seek a first-round draft pick in a potential deal involving Dennis Schroder. Explore the possibilities. (Bleacher Report)
Analysis As the NBA Cup reaches its semifinals, the Brooklyn Nets’ position in the power rankings offers insights into their current form and future prospects. (Bleacher Report)
Monday, Dec. 16 | 7:30PM | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY | Get Tickets
Nets @ Raptors
Thursday, Dec. 19 | 7:30PM | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
What To Do With Portland’s Centers In Fantasy Basketball
Nov 22, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) handles the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr (10) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | Erik Williams/Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Portland’s Center Conundrum
Portland is currently a hotbed of uncertainty, especially concerning their center position. With Deandre Ayton battling an illness and Robert Williams III and Donovan Clingan both questionable due to injuries, fantasy managers are left in a bind. The likelihood of all three playing is slim, making it a gamble to stream any of them. If you’re considering adding Williams or Clingan to your roster, be prepared for a potential last-minute change. This situation highlights the importance of staying updated with player statuses, especially when dealing with teams like Portland, which can be notoriously unpredictable.
Injury Updates and Player Performances
Injuries are an inevitable part of the NBA season, and they can significantly impact fantasy lineups. Stephon Castle’s unexpected absence due to a shoulder issue has opened up opportunities for other players. Devin Vassell might see increased minutes, and if he starts, it could be challenging to move him back to the bench. Meanwhile, Zach Collins’ absence in San Antonio means Charles Bassey could be a valuable stream option for those needing a big man.
The Utah Jazz are also dealing with injury woes, with Lauri Markkanen managing a lower back issue and Jordan Clarkson’s status remaining questionable. Markkanen’s potential absence could lead to increased roles for players like Johnny Juzang or Micah Potter, but the situation remains fluid. Fantasy managers should be cautious and consider steering clear of the Jazz’s lineup until there’s more clarity.
In Los Angeles, LeBron James is officially out with a foot injury, which could mean more opportunities for Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht. Nikola Vucevic’s illness adds another layer of complexity, and if he’s out, Jalen Smith becomes a viable streaming option.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Nets podcasts.
Ben Simmons declining roll? Will he make it through the season with the Brooklyn Nets There were some recent rumors suggesting a trade, or more likely, a buyout market, could exist for Ben Simmons as the season wears on. But could this be the case? He has been relegated to a bench role now and is playing less that 20 minutes a game over the last three.
Does Dennis Schroder have trade value? He’s been good, but where is a good fit?
Dennis Schroder is coming off an amazing game against the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring 34 points and 11 assists. He’s been one of, if not the, best Brooklyn Nets player this season.
Cam Johnson trade destinations. Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and more
It sure seems like Sean Marks and the Nets will trade Cam Johnson this season, and there’s a possibility the list of suitors is even longer than originally thought.
