The goal is to make a bad move! Are the Nets willing to take a premium contract and get the first round pick in return?

According to ESPN reporter Shams Charania, the Boston Celtics, the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks team reached a tripartite deal. The specific transaction content is: the Hawks get Kristaps Porzingis and a future second-round pick, the Nets get Terance Mann and the first round 22 pick (from the Hawks) in the 2025 NBA Draft, and the Celtics get George Niang and a future second-round pick. According to further information, the Hawks got a lower second round (from the Celtics) in 2026 (from the Celtics). What the Celtics get is the second round of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2031 (from the Hawks).

From the Nets' perspective, they completed this deal purely to use their salary space to get the first round pick. They did not give away any players, but got a long-term contract like Mann, which is equivalent to acting as a third party in this transaction. They get rewards by taking over Mann's contract. It is also through the help of the Nets that the three-party transaction can be successfully completed. Mann's current contract will not expire until the summer of 2028, with his salary of $15.5 million next season, his salary of $15.5 million in 2026-27 and his salary of $16 million in 2027-28.

Mann was sent to the Hawks by the Los Angeles Clippers before the trading deadline of this season. After joining the Hawks, Mann made a total of 30 appearances in the NBA regular season, averaging 22.7 minutes, averaging 9.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.1 blocks. He also had 0.7 turnovers and 2 fouls. His shooting percentage was 54.1%, three-point shooting percentage was 38.6%, and free throw shooting percentage was 66.7%. In the first round of the playoffs, the team lost to Orlando Magic play-offs, Mann made 0 of 5 shots, 0 of 1 from outside the three-point line, 2 of 2 free throws, scored 2 points, 1 assist and 1 steal, and 1 foul, with a plus-negative value of -13. In the second round of the playoffs, the team lost to the Miami Heat, Mann made 2 of 3 shots and 1 of 2 from outside the three-point line during the second round of the playoffs, scored 5 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist, and had 1 turnover and 5 fouls, with a plus-minus value of -8.

Judging from Mann's performance after joining the Hawks, his contract cannot be considered a garbage contract, but there is obviously a premium component. It seems that Mann is a player who is both offensive and defensive and can play his role on both offense and defense. However, in the critical play-offs, Mann's performance in both games was very mediocre and did not show enough competitiveness at all. In other words, Mann's contract is very low in terms of transaction value, and his substitutability in the team is also very high. If the Hawks want to achieve a better record next season, it is reasonable to send him away. But for the Nets, Mann is not unavailable, and he gives him more playing time and a higher tactical status. Maybe he can also get good data. Anyway, the team has no extravagant expectations for the record. Since this is the case, it seems to be a good way to help Man clear the data and strive to sell at a good price in the future?