MarShon ready for trade deadline to pass

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- If there’s a list of players who are feeling a bit anxious with the trade deadline looming this week, MarShon Brooks’ name might be at the very top.

Although Kris Humphries’ two-year, $24-million contract that expires after next season makes him one of the Nets’ most likely assets to be moved in any deal, Brooks would likely be packaged with Humphries in a trade to land, say, a Josh Smith from Atlanta.

Brooks is a young player with some upside and a cheap contract -- he’s making $1.16 million in base salary this season and $1.2 million next season -- so he seemingly finds himself entangled in trade rumors often, something he’s gotten used to in his season-plus in the league.

“It seems normal to me, man,” Brooks told Newsday. “Nah, I don’t really mind it at all. I would just like to know what team I’m going to be on after the next two days, and at then end of the day [Thursday] when the deadline is over with, I’ll be happy.”

After averaging 12.6 points per game in his rookie season and starting in 47 games, Brooks’ court time has taken a dip this season. It’s been sporadic at best. He’s averaging only 11.2 minutes per contest, mustering 5.1 points per game.

Being trade bait isn’t easy to swallow, but Brooks is learning that he has to roll with the punches and not let the outside chatter affect him.

“It’s a business,” Brooks said. “You’ve got to understand that. I picked that up on draft day. So, it doesn’t really feel awkward, me being in trade rumors or anything like that. At this point, I just want to get it over with.”