[WOJ]Pistons trade Bruce Brown to Nets...

[thesack12]

Gregg Polinsky was with the Nets when Musa was drafted. Likely scouted him heavily and was involved in the decision to select him in the late first.

In two interviews with an Alabama radio station in April and May, Polinsky laid out the Nets scouting process, starting with a database of 600 players at the beginning of the season, whittling the number down to a handful for Draft Night. In retrospect, Polinsky may have even hinted at the Nets interest in Dzanan Musa and Rodions Kurucs.

“I can’t go into names, but I can talk about the talent there is in Europe,” he told the Tide 102.9 in Tuscaloosa. “In my own opinion ... I think there is two lottery picks there, possibly three, a guy who will be taken in the first two or three or four players in the draft (no doubt referring to Luka Doncic) and another kid there,” his voice trailing off as if he realized he might have said too much.

https://www.netsdaily.com/2018/7/5/17537644/woj-nets-lose-chief-scout-to-pistons

Seems like Polinsky believed Musa was "lottery pick" level when scouting him. Musa was the second Euro taken in that draft, behind Doncic. Mo Wagner did go 25th OA and ahead of Musa but he was of course US based at Michigan.

Gross, put Polinsky in the Brown trade. They can have him back

[NYPiston]

This is really a nothing trade to be honest.

I never understood the hype around Brown. Good team guy, hard worker, solid defender but he's a bottom end of the rotation guy and the team was playing 4 on 5 offensively when he was on the court. A little disappointing that the 2nd came from a team like the Nets, would have preferred a higher 2nd but this is the definition of "meh".
Edit: I guess it's not the Nets 2nd, it's the Raptors. Oh well, still a meh for me.

[rmfc]

Read on Twitter

Didn't expect this happening. Huh. So Brooklyn trading Dinwiddie somewhere and Pistons drafting a guard on Wednesday?

Sheesh..

[zeebneeb]

Don't like it at all. Not sure what the heck is going on. Brown is cheap and works hard, even if he isn't a starter he's proven he belongs in this league and is going to be a long term rotation player in the NBA. This isn't like us dumping Stanley Johnson for nothing this is like us dumping Aaron Afflalo for nothing.

Agreed. I doubt your going to get back a better player with the 2nd received.

If that's the case, swing and a miss. If it's to start collecting picks to send somewhere else for a higher pick, or part of a trade then this move actually makes sense.

Oh well I guess. This team is years away from even being watchable so it is what it is.

[flow]

Does this mean no Patrick Williams or that Detroit trades expiring Snell for a pick and sin eating?

Musa is high(er) ceiling and very low floor (ie total washout) whereas Brown is low ceiling but high floor (bench player on good team at worst).

There’s always the instinct to try and read the tea leaves with a minor move like this. In this case I think it means nothing in terms of larger moves. Musa’s not important enough to impact the plans of a rebuilding team.

Neither for that matter is Brown.

Agree. But that said, you don't pick up the phone to trade Bruce Brown for Dzanan Musa. In a vacuum, that's a ridiculous move.

Either Weaver believes the 2021 draft is deep enough to covet a late 2nd round pick, or something else is coming.

.

[Liqourish]

I love the trade. 2021 draft is much better than 2020 and Weaver just traded a backup wing that wasn’t in the long term plans for trade assets next season. This is exactly what he was brought here to do. I expect a lot more moves this week.

[Snakebites]

Does this mean no Patrick Williams or that Detroit trades expiring Snell for a pick and sin eating?

Musa is high(er) ceiling and very low floor (ie total washout) whereas Brown is low ceiling but high floor (bench player on good team at worst).

There’s always the instinct to try and read the tea leaves with a minor move like this. In this case I think it means nothing in terms of larger moves. Musa’s not important enough to impact the plans of a rebuilding team.

Neither for that matter is Brown.

Agree. But that said, you don't pick up the phone to trade Bruce Brown for Dzanan Musa. In a vacuum, that's a ridiculous move.

Either Weaver believes the 2021 draft is deep enough to covet a late 2nd round pick, or something else is coming.

Or the Nets wanted to shore up their wing defense and Weaver saw a chance to add some future assets.

[thesack12]

This is really a nothing trade to be honest.

I never understood the hype around Brown. Good team guy, hard worker, solid defender but he's a bottom end of the rotation guy and the team was playing 4 on 5 offensively when he was on the court. A little disappointing that the 2nd came from a team like the Nets, would have preferred a higher 2nd but this is the definition of "meh".
Edit: I guess it's not the Nets 2nd. Oh well, still a meh for me.

"End of the rotation" guy? Are you talking about Khyri Thomas? Brown started in 99/132 career games.

They are likely to lose Joe Harris, so if Brooklyn doesn't make another move Brown will be the first guard off the bench for them. If they do make another move like trading Dinwiddie, Brown very well could start depending on who they get in return.

[DetroitDon15]

Don't like it at all. Not sure what the heck is going on. Brown is cheap and works hard, even if he isn't a starter he's proven he belongs in this league and is going to be a long term rotation player in the NBA. This isn't like us dumping Stanley Johnson for nothing this is like us dumping Aaron Afflalo for nothing.

Agreed. I doubt your going to get back a better player with the 2nd received.

If that's the case, swing and a miss. If it's to start collecting picks to send somewhere else for a higher pick, or part of a trade then this move actually makes sense.

Oh well I guess. This team is years away from even being watchable so it is what it is.

Agreed on your thoughts. My assumption is that Weaver wasn’t going to pay Brown to avoid free agency. I thought Brown was a good defender who could give a contender a decent 20 minutes a night. He’s not an older vet who is hanging on. I just don’t really see a 2021 second from a good team providing value. No way you can look ahead one year and say they can find a better player. My guess now is that no one is safe. I won’t be shocked if Kennard is traded as well for a return that will underwhelm for sure.

[UcanUwill]

I think its a very good trade for the Pistons, Musa didnt work out in NY, but he was super promising prospect. Watching him on the NEts, it was obvious he had confidence issues, since he was passing on clear shooting opportunities, where in Europe and juniors he was scoring machine. A 6'9 with good handle and playmaking skills, just with shaky shot, and still only 21, do not sell this guy short, this is a steal.
I am telling this everywhere, I would still rather have Musa than Deni Avdija, he lost confidence and really needed a change of scenery, maybe he will not work, but its a good gamble.

[haosmoove]

Wish Musa all the best and hope he figures out his game. I admit that BBJr is a better player at this point and fits the contender roster much better.

His skill level is in the quadruple A level this past season. (Too good for G League but not good enough for NBA) We know that he can handle the ball, pass, can shoot the 3 with range, (coach allowing him to shoot from 30+feet out) and plays a good enough defense. However, the results aren't there for whatever reason.

Like the rest of the Nets roster, he's known as a hard worker, given his age I would bet on him figuring out at some point in the future.

[NYPiston]

This is really a nothing trade to be honest.

"End of the rotation" guy? Are you talking about Khyri Thomas? Brown started in 99/132 career games.

They are likely to lose Joe Harris, so if Brooklyn doesn't make another move Brown will be the first guard off the bench for them. If they do make another move like trading Dinwiddie, Brown very well could start depending on who they get in return.

I should have stated, "end of a rotation guy on a good team". Maybe that's a bit harsh, more like a #8/#9 on a good team.

I liked the guy and attitude but I don't see what the fuss is about. Weaver is likely in the process of sweeping out the old regime so this is the beginning of that process. I expect Kennard to be next and to be honest, that would hurt because I think he's as underrated around here as Brown has been overrated.

[DBC10]

I’m torn since he’s still got a good year left before he starts to potentially cash out but I’m guessing Weaver saw something in next year’s draft range he may like so this isn’t the end. If we’re doing a full pivot to asset accumulation then I’m good with it

[flow]

I think its a very good trade for the Pistons, Musa didnt work out in NY, but he was super promising prospect. Watching him on the NEts, it was obvious he had confidence issues, since he was passing on clear shooting opportunities, where in Europe and juniors he was scoring machine. A 6'9 with good handle and playmaking skills, just with shaky shot, and still only 21, do not sell this guy short, this is a steal.
I am telling this everywhere, I would still rather have Musa than Deni Avdija, he lost confidence and really needed a change of scenery, maybe he will not work, but its a good gamble.

Thanks for the insight. His shooting numbers were so staggeringly awful last season, it's hard to imagine.

.

[Kilo]

Watch on YouTube

[BJK1]

This is really a nothing trade to be honest.

"End of the rotation" guy? Are you talking about Khyri Thomas? Brown started in 99/132 career games.

They are likely to lose Joe Harris, so if Brooklyn doesn't make another move Brown will be the first guard off the bench for them. If they do make another move like trading Dinwiddie, Brown very well could start depending on who they get in return.

I should have stated, "end of a rotation guy on a good team". Maybe that's a bit harsh, more like a #8/#9 on a good team.

I liked the guy and attitude but I don't see what the fuss is about. Weaver is likely in the process of sweeping out the old regime so this is the beginning of that process. I expect Kennard to be next and to be honest, that would hurt because I think he's as underrated around here as Brown has been overrated.

I don’t disagree that Brown is just a rotational player on a good team. But he isn’t an old regime guy. He was drafted by Stefanski with Casey as coach.

[thesack12]

I should have stated, "end of a rotation guy on a good team". Maybe that's a bit harsh, more like a #8/#9 on a good team.

I liked the guy and attitude but I don't see what the fuss is about. Weaver is likely in the process of sweeping out the old regime so this is the beginning of that process. I expect Kennard to be next and to be honest, that would hurt because I think he's as underrated around here as Brown has been overrated.

I don’t disagree that Brown is just a rotational player on a good team. But he isn’t an old regime guy. He was drafted by Stefanski with Casey as coach.

Nets current crop of guards:

Kyrie
Dinwiddie/Temple/Luwawu-Caborrot

Bruce Brown will easily be the 1st guard off the bench for them....

Good point about the "new regime."

[440BB]

I like Brown's effort and work ethic but he's likely near his peak while we won't be competitive for another two years. Brown can contribute this season for a win-now Nets team.

Polinsky may have unique insight into Musa's development and role in the future. I get the sense he was playing out of the position he was scouted for while with the Nets. A little maturity, a fresh start and defined role might get this 21 year old into the rotation in a year or so.

Either way, accumulating 2021 picks is a good thing.

Weaver has shown us something so far - he likes former first round picks as projects.

[vic]

I'm really hoping Weaver has some secret intel on Musa... like "his hip was injured... now it's healed." or... "he has a new therapist, he's back to his old self"

because at face value: trading an intelligent, hard-working bona-fide Piston DNA guy like Bruce Brown who can defend point guards as a backup on a championship team... (WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY (KD/KYRIE) BROOKLYN TRADED FOR HIM, BECAUSE HE'S A VALUEABLE PIECE) for a 2021 2nd round pick that's going to be in the 50s is basically charity.

The 2021 draft is good, but it's not good enough to give a guy (who can play a necessary role, and was consistently improving) away for nothing.

If Weaver is running this thing like a charity this is not going to be fun.

Giving him the benefit of the doubt:
maybe he's sold on Khyri Thomas being the better option as defensive backup guard.
maybe he's sold on Jordan Bone being a good backup pg.

But Dzanan Musa better bring a revelation to the table to be giving away Bruce Brown, a bonafide Piston away.

[BJK1]

Weaver has shown us something so far - he likes former first round picks as projects.

Maybe a Josh Jackson signing later this week? Harry Giles?