The Brooklyn Nets are finalizing a deal to send Timofey Mozgov to Charlotte in exchange for eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard.
Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks has struck again. Buzz was building around a potential pre-draft day to draft-day deal, and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports it’s done.
Charlotte is finalizing a deal to send Dwight Howard to the Brooklyn Nets for Timofey Mozgov, league sources tell ESPN. Nets will save $17M on deal in 2019-20 season, allowing them to create two max salary slots.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2018
Charlotte is sending Brooklyn big man Dwight Howard in exchange for Timofey Mozgov, the 45th pick in Thursday’s draft, a 2021 second-round pick and cash considerations.
The Mozgov news isn’t short of surprising, as Brian Lewis of The New York Post reported earlier this week that he was ‘unhappy’ with head coach Kenny Atkinson and his role in Brooklyn.
Howard’s contract is an expiring $23.8 million, opening up a world of cap space for the Nets come next summer. They’re already preparing for a reportedly stacked free agent market.
A three-time Defensive Player of the Year recipient, Howard’s career is considered ‘on the back nine’.
Brooklyn will be his fourth stop in four seasons, as he’s officially reached NBA journeyman status. He averaged 16.6 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game with Charlotte last season.
Ironically enough, his best game last season came against Brooklyn, where he tallied 32 points and 30 rebounds in 34 minutes of play.
Expect Howard to play out his year in Brooklyn ahead of free agency.
He won’t have competition for the starting job and will be able to maximize his value ahead of what may be last his big contract.
As for future trades, I wouldn’t be shy to say Sean Marks is just getting warmed up.
Fasten your seat belts Nets fans, and welcome to the NBA offseason.
