Grade the Trade: Mavs land fan-favorite wing and elite center in mock deal with Nets

Grading the trade for the Brooklyn Nets

In this move, the Brooklyn Nets give up two of their best assets in Nic Claxton and Dorian Finney-Smith, but they land two massive assets for the future in Josh Green and the 2027 first-round pick. They also land two rotation players in Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell.

Although this trade would hurt as they lose Claxton and Finney-Smith, they could make this move if they think that Claxton won't be coming back. He is set to become a free agent this summer and they might as well try to get some assets for him while they still can. Claxton remains someone the Nets want to keep long term, but things can change quickly.

Although Finney-Smith is having a great season with the Nets, they have an overload of wings on this roster. They already have Ben Simmons, Cameron Johnson, Mikal Bridges, and Royce O'Neale, and maybe they'd let Finney-Smith go if the right offer presented itself.

This trade with Dallas gives them three pieces that would bolster their depth, and Brooklyn needs some more help down low. They don't have an elite floor-spacing big, and that's what Kleber can be when he is at his best.

Kleber hasn't been the best this season, but I could see him returning to being an elite floor spacer once he returns. They also land a great veteran presence and glue guy in Powell.

The Nets likely could have gotten more in this trade, but this move wouldn't be shocking if they knew Claxton was going to be out the door this summer. Dallas could also throw in someone like Jaden Hardy or Olivier-Maxence Prosper to sweeten the deal, but this trade could potentially get it done.

Potential starting lineup: Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Day'Ron Sharpe

Brooklyn could also elect to go small ball and throw Spencer Dinwiddie into the starting lineup if they wanted to.

The Nets get a B- for this trade, as this move would be risky as it rests heavily on Kleber playing better and Green improving. It also seems like they could get more out of this trade, but Green is someone who could blossom into a reliable starter one day.