NETS GET FORWARD YOUNG FOR GARNETT
The Brooklyn Nets acquired combo forward Thaddeus Young from the Minnesota Timberwolves for power forward-center Kevin Garnett.
What does it give the Brooklyn Nets
This is a curious move by the Nets. They're well over the luxury tax line and so are widely expected to be dumping salary, but they're actually adding significant payroll for next season with Young (who has another year on his deal). Perhaps they're trying to make a late playoff push (assuming they keep the rest of their star core around), but this one is a head-scratcher. That said, Young is probably an upgrade over Garnett (since he can play more minutes), so perhaps this deal puts them firmly back in the East postseason picture.
What does it give the Minnesota Timberwolves
It's hard to dislike this deal for the T-Wolves. While Young is the more productive player on paper, Garnett is a Minnesota legend who was the NBA's MVP as a member of the Timberwolves. He's reunited here with former mentor and head coach Flip Saunders, and is obviously onboard to mentor young talents such as Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, and others. Moreover, his contract expires after this season (while Young's doesn't), so this deal gives Minny significant cap space to build with for next season.
Fantasy impact
Neither player in this deal will likely see much of a fantasy uptick. Young will probably see as many shots as usual in Brooklyn's offense, and his arrival will in fact likely steal shot attempts from the Nets' remaining core players (so they get a minor downgrade). Garnett doesn't play big minutes anymore so he isn't really a fantasy factor. That said, young Minnesota power forward Anthony Bennett probably sees more playing time and shots as a result of Young's departure, so gets a boost here in sleeper appeal.
