Let’s assume there’s a Durant + Curry + Johnson for JB + Smart + Grant + multiple picks trade. Nets sign D12. Where do the Nets rank in the East?
Claxton / Howard
Simmons / Warren / Grant
Jaylen / O'Neale / Edwards
Smart / Harris
Kyrie / Mills
Contender?
Nah. The East would have 3 contenders with Philly, Boston and Milwaukee. BKN would rate similar to MIA. Higher than CHI or TOR but not by much. Closer to the bottom playoff teams than the top playoff teams.
That team would have some serious chemistry problems. You got 3 stars who all think they are "the man" and none of them have the game to rise up and take control of the team. Kyrie has it on experience and accolades. Jaylen has it in terms of game. Neither guy makes their teammates better. Ben Simmons is the only one who can make his teammates better but he struggles to score and is in a dodgy situation.
The B.Simmons & N.Claxton partnership is problem. BKN need to find a stretch five to put alongside Ben Simmons to compensate for Ben's dodgy shooting. Then another non-shooter in Howard as backup center. And a mediocre shooter in Smart starting at guard. Not a good situation. Not a situation that maximizes Ben Simmons. So less than his best.
The bench doesn't feel good either. Patty Mills is a bad fit next to Kyrie so is minutes limited behind him. And Mills is getting old. Mills is the only real guard on the bench. Then it is a bunch of forwards. Joe Harris is a high quality piece. Royce O'Neale is a dodgy fit as a reluctant shooter next to a reluctant shooter in Ben Simmons, non-shooters in Claxton and Dwight, and a mediocre shooter in Marcus Smart. Not a good fit next to a creative passer like Ben Simmons. TJ Warren is a major injury risk. Dwight is useful but little more.
BKN gets interesting when they go small with Simmons at the five. That lineup would be real tough to defend against. Maybe TJ Warren if he is up to it. More likely Joe Harris with Jaylen playing PF which makes BKN real small up front.
Overall, I just see a whole lot of issues. Issues which will drag the team back and make them less than the sum of their parts.
Edit: I missed G Williams on that bench. I always forget to check who listed as the 3rd stringer and look past those guys. My mistake. G Will is their best bench forward and best bench player overall. He goes a good ways to alleviating my concerns about that bench.