Although the Nets could have simply signed Kevin Durant over the summer rather than pull off a sign-and-trade, Brooklyn did the latter with Golden State. Of course, the deal delivered Durant to Brooklyn. In turn, the Warriors acquired All-Star point guard D’Angelo Russell.
Even though the Nets clearly received the better player in the deal, Durant wasn’t all they got from the Warriors. Golden State also sent Brooklyn their first-round pick for the 2020 NBA Draft.
But the pick was top-20 protected. With Steph Curry out for much of the season and Klay Thompson out all of 2019-20, the Warriors have struggled mightily. So much so that their 2020 first-round pick will not convey to the Nets, as a result of a 116-86 loss at home on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. The loss is No. 47 on the year for Golden State.
Now, Brooklyn will still receive a pick, just not right away. The Warriors will send one in 2025 — and, unfortunately for the Nets, the pick will be a second-rounder.