The trade deadline is nearing, and the Brooklyn Nets have reportedly sent Tyler Zeller to the Milwaukee Bucks.
In an effort to get back the picks that the previous front office traded away, the Brooklyn Nets have reportedly traded Tyler Zeller to the Milwaukee Bucks for Rashad Vaughn and a second-round draft pick, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The pick will be for 2018 should it land between 31 and 47. If not, the Bucks will send an unprotected choice in 2020.
The Bucks will send a future second round pick to Nets for Zeller, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2018
The Nets will receive Milwaukee's Rashed Vaughn with the second-round pick, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2018
Sources: Milwaukee's 2018 second-round pick to Nets is protected 31-to-47, or Milwaukee sends unprotected second in 2020 if the pick doesn't convey in 2018.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2018
Zeller had quickly fallen out of the rotation following the standout play of Jarrett Allen. Before his emergence, the 28-year-old seven-footer was a reliable starter, but Brooklyn’s frontcourt depth limited his minutes and production. Zeller averaged 7.1 points and 4.6 rebounds in 16.7 minutes while shooting 54.6 percent from the floor.
Allen, who’s started the Nets’ four last games, has been a tremendous force on offense and the backboards. His playing time has risen significantly, and he’s up to 24.4 minutes a night. In that time, his scoring has ballooned to 15.5 on a blistering field goal clip of 76.5 percent. The rookie is also adding in 7.0 rebounds.
Jahlil Okafor will also move up the depth chart after the trade is finalized. He is assimilating into the system nicely and had an eye-catching 21-point performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan. 27.
The fascinating piece of this deal is Rashad Vaughn, a 21-year-old swing who’s in his third season out of UNLV. He wasn’t able to crack the Bucks’ rotation, and the team included him just so the salaries would match. Vaughn’s appeared in 22 games thus far and has played 173 total minutes.
He, however, has shown the ability to shoot the three at a respectable rate. And the Nets love nothing more than hoarding shooters. It’s a small sample size, but 13-of-35 (37.1 percent) is an above-average mark, and that’s coming from a player whose sporadic playing time makes it difficult to get into a rhythm.
The Brooklyn Nets obtaining a second-round draft pick for Tyler Zeller isn’t a glamorous move, but it’s part of the new front office’s mission. It’s unclear if Brooklyn will remain active as Thursday’s deadline nears, but, if they do, look for the return to include a young asset.
