The Brooklyn Nets made a big move on Thursday to prepare for free agency this summer.
The Nets traded Allen Crabbe and two draft picks to the Atlanta Hawks for Taurean Prince and a pick, as first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Woj says the Nets are including the No. 17 pick in this year’s draft and a first-round pick (protected 1-14) in 2020 to Atlanta as part of the deal. They’re getting back a 2021 second-round pick in addition to Prince.
Brooklyn is trading Allen Crabbe and No. 17 pick in 2019 NBA Draft and protected first in 2020 to Atlanta for Taurean Prince and 2021 second-round pick, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 6, 2019
This trade is big on a few fronts.
One, Crabbe was owed $18.5 million for next season, compared to Prince, who’s set to make around $3.5 million. This is a major cost-cutting move that creates cap space for them to sign a big free agent. Kyrie Irving is a player they reportedly are targeting.
Two, Prince, 25, is an emerging player. He averaged 13.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game this season and improved his 3-point shooting, so the Nets are getting a good, cheap young player.
Three, the Hawks now have acquired three picks in the top 17 of the upcoming draft, which should help with their rebuild.
This move seems to be mutually beneficial.
