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Just 11 games into the 2026-27 NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets (3-8) are still searching for answers to turn their campaign around before it slips away. The team is coming off its most impressive performance of the year, a 145-111 rout of the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, where they excelled on both ends of the court against another struggling opponent.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Nets are willing to listen to trade offers for any of their players, with forward Michael Porter Jr. being the most coveted asset on the roster. Whether general manager Sean Marks decides to move Porter, Julius Randle, or another player remains to be seen, but trade rumors have become par for the course for Brooklyn since the current rebuild began.
With the Nets once again projected to be among the league's worst teams, many around the NBA expect Brooklyn to be at the center of numerous trade discussions leading up to the February deadline. The franchise is likely seeking draft picks and/or young talent in return, but what if they were willing to invest heavily in a promising young player?
Bleacher Report's Dan Favale proposed a mock trade between the Nets and Orlando Magic centered on forward Franz Wagner:
Nets receive: Franz Wagner, Goga Bitadze, Jonathan Isaac
Magic receive: Michael Porter Jr., Day'Ron Sharpe, Philadelphia's 2028 first-round pick (top-eight protected), New York's 2029 first-round pick
Would the Nets Do It?
In this scenario, Brooklyn would part with its starting small forward (Porter), starting center (Sharpe), and two first-round picks. However, the Nets would gain a new starting small forward in Wagner and a player in Bitadze who would likely take over the starting center role, with Mo Wagner (Franz's brother) remaining as the backup.
Moreover, the 2028 first-round pick from the Philadelphia 76ers is less valuable than a typical first-rounder due to its top-eight protection (meaning the pick would go to Philadelphia if it falls within the first eight selections). While the Nets may be reluctant to give up draft capital needed to bring in talented young players, surrendering two first-round picks from teams expected to make deep playoff runs seems like a reasonable price.
Porter, 28, is averaging 21.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 45.6% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range in 32.6 minutes per contest. However, he is in a contract year and, while eligible for an extension at any point before the season ends, it's possible Orlando would extend him after the deal.
Wagner, 25, is putting up 24.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 47.1% from the floor and 26.6% from deep in 36.8 minutes per game. After this season, Wagner still has three years and nearly $144 million (almost $48 million per season) left on his contract, giving the Nets a few years to figure out how he fits into the rebuild.
Prediction: Yes, the Nets would do this trade.
Originally reported by yahoo.