Nets Morning Shootaround: Trade deadline rumors and a basketball pioneer passes

NBA logo Nets
FILE PHOTO: Dec 22, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; The NBA logo is shown with a fan conduct advisory on the bottom of seats before the game between the Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The Nets will continue their road trip on Wednesday with a stop in Washington D.C.  As the NBA trade deadline approaches more and more chatter around the league is starting to pick up. A report on Tuesday suggested the Nets were shopping Nic Claxton around.

All those stories and more in today’s Morning Shootaround:

Nets News

  • Did the Nets kick the tires on trying to move Nic Claxton? It seemed like it, according to a new report on Tuesday. Claxton is a free agent this season and the emergence of Day’Ron Sharpe may make dealing away Claxton a bit more palatable. (The Brooklyn Game)

 

  • Teams around the believe there is an openness from James Harden to relocate this summer. Harden has said on multiple occasions how much he’s loved Brooklyn and a sign and trade with Philadelphia for Ben Simmons is complicated to say the least. (The Brooklyn Game)

 

  • Out on Long Island, the Nets have been navigating the start of a very unique G League season that has come with different challenges and opportunities. (The Brooklyn Game)

 

  • Kyrie Irving can only play on the road, but he’ll be plenty busy over the next few weeks with the Nets playing eight of their next 10 games on the road.  Irving put up 27 points in Monday’s loss to the Cavaliers and he’ll be counted on during the games he is eligible to play while Kevin Durant is out. (Newsday)

 

  • It looks as though James Harden will be just fine and in the lineup on Wednesday when the Nets face the Wizards. It’s also becoming increasingly clear that Brooklyn dodged a bullet when it came to Durant’s injury. (New York Post)

 

  • Is the Nets championship window closing sooner than expected? That’s the question that was posed by the Post. (New York Post Sports+)

 

  • Fan video from Monday’s game between the Cavaliers and Nets showed Kyrie Irving getting heckled by Cavs fans. It also shows the seven-time all-star get them back with a fiery retort. (Complex)

NBA News

  • Bryan Forbes was acquired by the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in a three-team deal that involved the San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics.  Bol Bol and P.J. Dozier are headed to Boston, while Juancho Hernangomez and Denver’s 2028 second-round pick go to the Spurs. (ESPN)

 

  • Basketball pioneer Lusia Harris passed away on Tuesday at the age of 66 in Mississippi. Harris was the first woman to be drafted by an NBA team, selected in the seventh round of the 1977 draft. She was also played on the inaugural U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team. (Yahoo! Sports)

 

  • Everyone is watching what happens between Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers. Will a deal get done between the two sides, some NBA insiders think so. (The Athletic)

 

  • Is it time for a Karl-Anthon Towns merger with the New York Knicks? (New York Post)