All too often teams get caught looking ahead to the All-Star break, and the trade deadline being moved up this year just compounds the problem with a second distraction.
Joe Harris and DeMarre Carroll have both been linked in trade rumors this week, Harris to Golden State by ESPN and Carroll to the Heat by the Miami Herald. And while The Post has confirmed Brooklyn won’t be shipping Carroll to Miami for Tyler Johnson and Justise Winslow, both admit it’s a distraction the Nets will have to work to avoid.
“[It’s] human nature,” Carroll told The Post. “But the really good players, the really good teams, they look at it in a positive manner, in a professional manner. Us as an organization and as representatives of the Brooklyn Nets, we’ve got to look at it in a professional manner.
“We’ve got to understand that [we have a job], and that’s to come in and compete at a high level and let the rest take care of itself. Let’s not try to worry about the All-Star [break]. Let’s not try to worry about getting traded. Let’s worry about taking one game at a time and competing at a high level.”
Even though agent Mark Bartelstein told The Post the Nets aren’t shopping his client, Carroll’s name also had been linked to Detroit, Miami and New Orleans. Meanwhile, ESPN had opined that Harris could fetch a second-round pick, or maybe Patrick McCaw, just 22 and buried on Golden State’s bench.
“It’s an interesting business, for sure. It’s just a lot of stuff that can definitely make people anxious. It’s difficult to get away from it,” Harris admitted. “But at the same time at the end of the day you’ve just got to focus on what you can control. You’re not going to control where you go if you happen to be traded. But what you can control is trying to stay focus on these games leading up to the All-Star break.”
Rashad Vaughn, acquired Monday along with a second-round pick for Tyler Zeller, debuted in Tuesday’s 123-113 loss to the Rockets and played the final 4:12.
“I think I can come in and help in a lot of different ways, spread the floor, making plays for teammates and I can also get down on the defensive end,” said Vaughn.
Quincy Acy (finger) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (groin) missed Tuesday, while Caris LeVert left and was evaluated for a concussion. The Nets play Wednesday in Detroit.