Trade value can be a difficult thing to gauge in the NBA. It’s a moving target; as soon as you think you know what a player will fetch, the market shifts.
Sometimes, another trade leads to a fluctuation in the market. Other times, a player depreciates his own value, either with an injury or a trade demand.
Either can turn a player into a “distressed asset” – a player becomes less valuable when the rest of the league knows their team has a reason to move them.
Such is the case with Kevin Durant. Even the most casual NBA observer knows the Nets have reason to find him a new home.
Meanwhile, Michael Porter Jr.’s trade value would certainly be higher if not for injuries. Unfortunately, a laundry list of ailments has kept him off the floor far too often throughout his NBA career.
With that said, sometimes, the best thing for two teams is to trade one distressed asset for another.
Here’s a deal that has the Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets essentially doing just that.
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Jamal Murray, F Michael Porter Jr., 2028 First-Round Pick (Swap – DEN), 2029 First-Round Pick (DEN)
Denver Nuggets Receive: F Kevin Durant, G/F Joe Harris