Brooklyn Nets Receive: C Jakob Poeltl, F Doug McDermott, G Josh Richardson, 2025 First-Round Pick (CHI)

San Antonio Spurs Receive: G/F Ben Simmons

This deal may not land the Brooklyn Nets a third star, but it does address that depth we referred to earlier.

If the Nets made this deal, they’d suddenly be deep. They’re acquiring three quality rotation players for the cost of Simmons. Poeltl is the headliner here. He’s an upper-tier defensive big man, and that happens to be a piece this team needs.

Meanwhile, McDermott is one of the most reliable floor spacing wings in the NBA. He doesn’t provide much else, but that skill alone would be a tremendous asset for this team. Finally, Josh Richardson is a solid 3-and-D wing. He’s not elite in either era, but he’s solid in both.

As for the San Antonio Spurs, they’re incurring significant risk here. Jakob Poeltl alone is a substantial loss. A healthy Simmons would more than compensate, but what assurance do the Spurs have that that’s who they’re getting?

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If their front office feels the same, they may need to invite a third party to the table to avoid giving up so much for as risky a proposition as Simmons.