5 potential Nets trades to win now, including moving Kyrie Irving

Despite sitting atop the Eastern Conference at 18-8, the Nets have room for improvement. Their Kyrie Irving-sized hole in the lineup has left them vulnerable against the league’s tougher teams, making trade season an enticing opportunity to upgrade their roster.

When the league’s Dec. 15 moratorium on recently signed free agents getting traded lifts, expect general manager Sean Marks to be aggressive looking for deals, especially with an $11 million trade exception to play with. Here are five potential moves the Nets can make.

Nets get: Derrick Favors

Thunder get: Nic Claxton

Brooklyn doesn’t have any picks to dangle, so if it's looking to beef up on veterans in pursuit of its championship, it’ll have to be young pieces on the move. Oklahoma City is in tank mode and doesn’t have a real prospect at the five spot, making Claxton an attractive get.

For the Nets, they receive a strong defensive center who has performed better than the rest of their front court on that end, who also has postseason experience and a nice short-range jumper. Sure they’re already chock full of aged big men, but that leaves them open to injury, so the added depth and talent helps.

Nets get: Christian Wood

Rockets get: Nic Claxton, Cam Thomas

Much like the last deal, Brooklyn sends out its development projects for a win-now boost in the frontcourt. The biggest challenge here is trying to match what other teams might offer for Wood given Houston already owns every one of their picks from here to 2027 and may not want to bring the Nets even closer to a ring.

If the Nets could pull this off, it would be quite the coup. Wood is just now entering his prime and would immediately stand out as the best and most dynamic big on the roster on both ends. He’s one year removed from a 20-10 campaign and his range stretches to behind the arc.

Nets get: Kelly Olynyk

Pistons get: Jevon Carter

Yet another trade for a veteran big that theoretically helps the Nets in their short-term title dreams. Detroit has little use for Olynyk, refusing to play him in their last 14 games, and should be open to taking on a young defensive upgrade in the backcourt.

Brooklyn would receive a center who’s spent his career knocking down threes and creating off the dribble, things missing from their current center rotation. The Nets should have enough guards to make up for Carter’s absence.

Nets get: D’Angelo Russell

Timberwolves get: Kyrie Irving

You knew an Irving trade would appear. We’re now approaching the holiday season and there’s still no resolution in sight on this front. A trade seems more and more likely.

This would be an appropriate homecoming for Russell, whose career took off as a Net and who can provide a lot of the things Irving does for Brooklyn. While he hasn’t been super efficient this year, the Nets are in no position to ask for much more in exchange for somebody who hasn’t played to date.

On the Timberwolves side, they’re taking a clear risk in pursuit of the better player. Irving could be the All-Star who helps bring them back to the playoffs.

Nets get: Kristaps Porzingis

Mavericks get: Kyrie Irving

Another one-for-one Irving swap, this one featuring an improved Porzingis, playing with more gusto since returning from injury. The big could theoretically provide James Harden and Kevin Durant everything they need from their five: rim protection, spacing and the ability to create one-on-one.

Dallas is not playing up to standard and has long yearned for a secondary ball-handler next to Luka Doncic. Irving would provide that, as well as a much more potent offensive threat than Porzingis.