The Brooklyn Nets didn’t let the start of Labor Day weekend stop them from getting their work in.
No, the work wasn’t on the court — although I’m sure players are already putting their work in with NBA training camps not far away.
It was the front office of the Nets which continues to make moves in preparation for the 2021-22 season. The goal for this team is clear, championship or bust.
Friday afternoon, Brooklyn dealt DeAndre Jordan, cash, and four (that’s right — four) second-round draft picks to the Detroit Pistons. In what’s best described as a salary dump, the Nets are getting back Jahlil Okafor and Sekou Doumbouya.
Per NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets will save $47 million in salary and luxury tax.
And what, exactly is the luxury tax?
Well, I’m glad you asked.
Outstanding NBA writer Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News writes:
“The luxury tax is also known as the parity tax. Its purpose is to prevent teams in big markets — think New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia — from leveraging their market revenues to outbid small-town franchises (think Oklahoma City Thunder) when recruiting free agents.
Both the NBA and MLB use a luxury tax system.“
This is significant here because the Nets had the second-highest luxury tax bill in the NBA behind the Golden State Warriors.
With more money in the bank to work with, the Nets are bringing back a familiar face
The return of LaMarcus Aldridge to the NBA looks to be complete with his agreeing to rejoin Brooklyn. The deal is for one year at $2.6 million, according to Wojnarowski.
Aldridge played 5 games last season for the Nets before retiring with a heart condition. The seven-time NBA All-Star fits well in Brooklyn’s style of play. After consulting with various doctors, Aldridge confirmed he’s cleared for a return to basketball.
As for Jordan, he’s not likely to stay in Detroit. The rumor mill is spinning at full capacity he’ll reach a buyout agreement with the Pistons. The next stop for Jordan, and logically so, appears to be the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Nets, with a core of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, went all-in on upgrading the supporting cast. The addition of Aldridge comes a day after Brooklyn added veteran Paul Millsap.
Image: DeAndre Jordan – Getty
