NBA Trade Rumors: 3 Players the Brooklyn Nets should keep out of trade talks

The Brooklyn Nets have struggled to compete for the last few years, although the Nets organization had a genuine belief that they could challenge for a playoff place in this season's weak Eastern Conference.

The Nets have amassed a number of talented young player's in recent years, although the team has failed to pass 30 wins in a season since 2015. Brooklyn currently holds a 13-18 record, although the team has shown considerable improvement over the last few weeks.

The team has been impressive during a streak of five straight wins, and this run has raised the Nets to within just a game of the Orlando Magic, who currently occupy the final playoff spot.

The teams 5-game winning run has included an overtime win over the conference-topping Toronto Raptors, while the Nets have also picked up an impressive win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

If the Nets are able to sustain their current form, then the franchise should be able to stay in playoff contention for the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, it is vital that the team is able to hold on to their most impressive performers, and here are the three players that the Nets should refuse to include in any deals before the trade deadline in February.

#3 Jarrett Allen

Allen was selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Nets and he has wasted no time in becoming the teams starting center. The 20-year-old started nearly half of the Nets games in his rookie season, and the youngster has started 29 during the current campaign, averaging close to 30 minutes a night.

The center has quickly established himself as the Nets most prized young asset, and the player is already averaging close to a double-double. Allen has a contract with the Brooklyn team until 2022, so the Nets should refuse to entertain even the thought of trading away their exciting talent.

#2 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Hollis-Jefferson in action for the Brooklyn Nets against the Toronto Raptors

Hollis-Jefferson was selected by the Trail Blazers with the 23rd overall pick in the 2015 draft, although his rights were quickly traded to the Brooklyn Nets, as part of a huge deal that included Mason Plumlee and future draft rights.

Hollis-Jefferson has averaged at least 20-minutes per game in each of his four seasons with the Nets, and last year he averaged a career high in points (13.9) and assists (6.9).

After a tough start to the 18/19 season, the forward has once again found his form, and he has averaged nearly 30 minutes per game over the Nets last 10 games. The 23-year-old is being linked with a number of playoff-chasing teams, although the Nets have been patient with the young player, and will most likely be uninterested in discussing a trade for Hollis-Jefferson.

#1 D'Angelo Russell

After a mixed first season with the Brooklyn Nets, D'Angelo Russell has exploded this season. Russell has been instrumental to the Nets current five-game win streak, and the 22-year-old has shown improvement at both ends of the court this season. The Nets man is currently averaging 18 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.8 rebounds, and he is shooting a career high from the field.

Many in the NBA were surprised when the Lakers last year traded the point guard to the Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez and the rights to Kyle Kuzma, although Russell is now showing his former team that they pulled the plug on him too early. The Nets man has outperformed Lonzo Ball this season, and the franchise should try to keep hold of him at all costs, as he could still lead the team to the playoffs this season.

Edited by Abhinav Munshi