Brooklyn Nets: Why trading for Bismack Biyombo makes sense

The Brooklyn Nets are looking toward the future but in order for them to take a leap, they must learn to play defense.

Times are surely fun again for fans of the Brooklyn Nets. D’Angelo Russell, Allan Crabbe, and DeMarre Carroll have provided a spark to a team that was picked to finish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference again.

But, the Nets are proof of why the games are played on the court and not on paper.

The Nets are 4-7 on the season but it makes one wonder how better they could be with a single trade.

The name of the game in Brooklyn is offesnse. The Nets average 111.9 points per game, however, they also give up 116.2 points. Those numbers alone is the reason why they need to make a trade for Bismack Biyombo.

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Biyombo is stuck behind the scoring of Nikola Vucevic (18 points) who plays 30.7 minutes per game while Biyombo (3.5 points) plays just 13.8 minutes. Normally, this would not be a cause for concern, however, with Biyombo making $17 million per season and Vucevic hauling in $12.2 million, there’s an issue.

This is where the Nets can help themselves and the Orlando Magic.

The Nets are currently paying for the services of Timofey Mozgov ($15.2 million) to provide them with 4.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 15.9 minutes of action. Looking at the stats and the money, the Nets will do the Magic a favor by taking Biyombo off their hands.

Neither player has contributed much to their team. But, with Vucevic set to become a free agent in 2019, his annual salary will surely eclipse Biyombo’s $17 million deal. Why would the Magic pay two players playing the same position close to $40 million?

Why this trade will work

Biyombo is the perfect fit for the Nets as he provides the two things they are missing, defense and rebounding. The Nets average 45.5 rebounds per game but those numbers must be factored in due to their high-paced offense.

Mozgov is not a rim protector, however, this is where Byiombo makes his name.

Players are well aware of what Biyombo can do if given the opportunity. Remember the 2015 NBA playoffs, where in 20 games he had nine (games) with over 10 rebounds and eight (games) with 2 or more blocks? While the Magic are content with hiding his production, the Nets will showcase it.

The Nets issue is that due to the ineffectiveness of Mozgoz, the Nets are forced to play small ball for the majority of their games. To be fair, their rebounding success stands as a testament to their hustle that they’re not the worst rebounding team in the league. However, their interior defense is soft as cotton candy.

Mozgov was once seen as a defensive stopper while with the Cleveland Cavaliers. That’s easy when you have LeBron, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving in front of him. During his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, he was exposed and now with the Nets, he’s even worse.

A reserve spot with the Magic could be a resolution for Mozgov. While he’s paid like a starter, he might be better suited for spot duty. Biyombo will provide the Nets an escape clause on the defensive end. Russell, Caris LeVert, Carroll and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson can score but are not known as solid defenders.

A better move going forward for the Brooklyn Nets

While Biyombo will provide minimal offense, what that does is open the door for the Nets and their shooters. Biyombo averages one offensive rebound per game this season but, when projected over 36 minutes, he’s grabbing four per. That’s four extra shot attempts Biyombo will provide for a team averaging close to 113 points a game.

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This is a move the Nets and Magic should seriously consider. The Nets are one of the few teams in the NBA who can take on the contract of Biyombo. This deal will help both teams, not only this season but moving forward.