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The Nets have just gone one step further to land a big star – or two.
In anticipation of a great freelance summer, the Nets paved the way for bigger moves by swapping Allen Crabbe and two first-round picks at the Hawks on Thursday against Taurean Prince and a second in 2021, reported ESPN. Peaks sent by the Nets to Atlanta are the No. 17 picks this year and a first protected round (1-14) in 2020.
By exchanging Crabbe and his salary of $ 18.5 million, the Nets provided ample space to sign up to a free agent under maximum contract and retain the restricted free agent D'Angelo Russell, or get a maximum of two free agents if Russell go elsewhere.
All indications are that the Nets are a strong candidate for Kyrie Irving, the product of West Orange, NJ, who grew up signing up for the franchise while still in New Jersey, and is expected to withdraw from his contract with the Celtics. He has just bought a house in South Orange and was also seen at Jay-Z's 40/40 club on Wednesday, the same night with the presence of several Nets players, reported Nets Daily.
Sources told Brian Lewis of The Post that the Nets are willing to pair Irving and Russell in the same backyard. Russell is himself a payday after becoming All-Star this season while he was leading the Nets to the playoffs, although this will likely come after the signing of the highest rank of free agents.
But the "dream scenario" of the Nets sign both Irving and Durant, according to ESPN. The Knicks have long been considered a landing point for the duo, but the Nets have now pushed their chips to get a spot at the table.
Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker, from the Bronx, and Tobias Harris, from Long Island, are also on the market.
The deal also marked the peaceful end of Crabbe's tenure with the Nets after the guard missed the last 12 games of the regular season and the playoffs due to arthroscopic knee surgery. In two seasons with the Nets, he accumulated an average of 11.9 points while shooting 37.8% deep.
The 6-foot-8 Prince, a small striker, has just finished his second year in Baylor with an average of 13.5 points and a 39% lead.
The Nets still have choices 27 and 31 in this month's project.
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