NBA Trade Rumors: 3 Players the Brooklyn Nets should target this month

Over the last few seasons, the Brooklyn Nets have struggled to compete in the Eastern Conference. The Nets have failed to make a postseason appearance since 2015, and in this time, Brooklyn has won no more than 30 games in a season. The 17/18 season was once again one of the worst in the history of the franchise, as the Nets finished with a dismal 28-54 record.

Despite this, the years of struggle look as though they are now coming to an end, as the Nets have recently put together an impressive run that has placed them firmly in the playoff hunt. While a record of 21-23 doesn't appear overly impressive, the Nets have recovered from an awful start to the season and were among the most impressive teams in the Eastern Conference during the month of December.

The Brooklyn franchise has recently picked up impressive wins over the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors, and a young Nets team is on course to finally test themselves in the postseason. Nevertheless, the Nets could further enhance their playoff push by making a trade before the February trade deadline, and here are three players that the team should target.

#3 Damyean Dotson

Damyean Dotson was selected by the New York Knicks with the 44th pick of the 2017 NBA draft, although the young shooting guards future with the team is already in doubt. The Knicks are gearing up for a huge summer of change, and with the Knicks targeting a new guard, Dotson's position on the roster is extremely vulnerable.

Nevertheless, the 24-year-old has been impressive for a struggling Knicks team this season, and Dotson is currently averaging 9.6 points per game, while also shooting .367 from behind the arc. Dotson’s contract for 2019-20 is non-guaranteed, and the Nets should be able to make a move for the promising young guard.

#2 Rodney Hood

Cleveland Cavaliers v Minnesota Timberwolves

Rodney Hood was selected with the 23rd overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz, and Hood went on to spend four seasons with the team. The shooting guard was a regular fixture in the Jazz's starting five, and Hood amassed nearly 250 regular season appearances in Utah.

Despite Hood impressing with the Jazz, he was eventually traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade that also involved the Sacramento Kings. The 26-year-old went on to play in the 2018 NBA Finals, and despite LeBron James' summer departure, Hood opted to sign a new one year contract in Cleveland.

Nevertheless, the Cavs have collapsed without James, and the organization is open to trading their entire roster. Hood has continued to impress despite the Cavaliers struggles, and the Brooklyn Nets should try to acquire the guard, before the panic of the trade deadline.

#1 Carmelo Anthony

Both fans and analysts alike are split on whether Carmelo Anthony still has a future in the NBA, although interest will surely ramp up in the 10-time All-Star as we reach the February trade deadline. The Rockets are still looking for a trade partner for Anthony after the 34-year-old lasted just 10 games in Houston, and the Nets will struggle to add a more capable player before the trade deadline.

In his brief time in a Rockets uniform, Anthony averaged 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds, and Melo finally accepted a role as a reserve. The addition of Anthony would give the Nets much-needed depth from the bench, and the veterans playoff experience could also be a help, as the majority of the Nets roster have never been to the postseason.

Ultimately, Anthony represents a quick fix for the Nets, and the 34-year-would cherish the opportunity to play for his home town team.

Edited by Anirban Banerjee