The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly open to trading All-Star trio Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson before the annual NBA trade deadline in February.
Nets general manager Billy King did not deny the rumors, but he reiterated that Brooklyn will not part ways with Williams, Lopez and Johnson just for the sake of dumping their expensive salaries.
King said in an interview with New York Post that they are receiving calls from teams interested in acquiring their superstars, but he denied that they are having a "fire sale."
"My job is to listen to people and to make calls and to make calls back," King said. "Does that mean we're having a fire sale? Absolutely not. I'm doing my job, as well as asking the players and the coaches to do their job. But my job is to work the phones, see what's available."
King's statement came several days after ESPN reported that the Nets have informed teams that Williams, Johnson and Lopez are available in trades.
In the report, sources also indicated that the Nets are not planning to abandon their "win-now mentality" as they are looking for talents in return to stay in playoff contention even without their superstar trio.
The Nets are currently in eighth place in the Western Conference standings with their 10-12 record, but they have been struggling to get into their rhythm under new coach Lionel Hollins. King is aware that the team is still adjusting to the new system, but he conceded that they need to show improvements as soon as possible.
"I do think that guys get more comfortable when they play together and play within the system, but we can't just sit there and wait for January and February. We've got to start now," King said.
The Nets GM also pointed out that while the team is still learning the system implemented by Hollins, there are players who are not living up to expectations, which is likely the reason why they are looking for trades at this point.
"I think a lot of guys were trying to adjust to the new system," King said. "But some guys just haven't played up to the level we need them to play."
