Brooklyn Nets trade rumors: Ersan Ilyasova trade even possible?

Brooklyn Nets trade rumors about a possible Ersan Ilyasova trade may not have much truth to them. Despite earlier reports suggesting the Nets really want Ilyasova, The New York Times reported on Wednesday morning (Dec. 19) that the team does not want his contract.
Ilyasova is in a five-year, $40 million contract that would make him an expensive option on the trade market. The original rumors suggested that it would be an Ilyasova trade for MarShon Brooks, who has not been playing much in Brooklyn and could get a fresh start with the Milwaukee Bucks. The trade works on paper, but not if the Nets don't want to take on additional salary.
This season, Ilyasova has regressed a bit, disappointing fans who had hoped he could have a breakout season in Milwaukee. Through the first 22 games, he is averaging just 8.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. His minutes have gone down with his horrible 38.9% mark from the field and those minutes aren't going to go back up if he cannot hit shots. In fact, he played in only 14 minutes during a Tuesday night (Dec. 18) win against the Indiana Pacers.
These Brooklyn Nets trade rumors could definitely help out the team if Ersan Ilyasova was motivated to play better this season. He is a big man who can really help spread the floor with his three-point shot and he has much more value than MarShon Brooks at the moment. A trade could help both teams, but maybe that isn't really the goal here.
If a trade actually did take place, both players would see an increase in their fantasy basketball value, with Brooks going from an after-thought to someone worth nabbing off the waiver wire. As for Ilyasova, it's not too late to save his season, but he has got to turn it around soon.