Luke Hales/Getty Photos
The Brooklyn Nets didn’t get the memo they’re imagined to be tanking. As an alternative, a number of veterans on the workforce have improved statistically to begin the season below first-time NBA head coach Jordi Fernandez, who’s maximized the roster nicely and has the Nets hovering across the .500 mark by way of 1 / 4 of the season.
Following the Mikal Bridges commerce to New York and the commerce with Houston to re-acquire Brooklyn’s 2025 first-round draft decide, the Nets are coming into a rebuild and have probably the most commerce candidates of any workforce. General, search for any Nets commerce to be targeted on buying future draft decide compensation, league sources instructed HoopsHype.
Earlier than Nets 23-year-old main scorer Cam Thomas suffered a left hamstring pressure, The Athletic reported he’s “broadly thought-about to be obtainable.” Whereas any Web is technically thought-about obtainable, given the early rebuilding stage the franchise is embarking on, it’s price noting league sources instructed HoopsHype proprietor Joe Tsai is a fan of Thomas. Coach Fernandez has additionally lauded his scoring “superpowers” in press conferences.
Thomas can be thought-about one of the polarizing gamers within the league, as some NBA executives worth his scoring potential and have taken discover of his enhancing effectivity. In distinction, others query if he could be a position participant on a profitable playoff-caliber workforce and argue he offers up as many buckets on protection as he scores offensively.
Whereas the commerce worth of Thomas is scattered within the eyes of NBA expertise evaluators, there’s extra of a consensus concerning his backcourt teammate.
After being a flag bearer and advancing to the bronze medal sport with Germany within the Olympics, Dennis Schroeder has performed a few of the best basketball of his profession, taking pictures a career-high 41 % from three-point vary in 19 video games performed. Schroeder has been Brooklyn’s locker room chief because the alpha voice and an extension of Fernandez on the courtroom as the ground common. A confirmed veteran at 31 years outdated and on an expiring $13 million deal, Schroeder is taken into account considered one of Brooklyn’s high commerce candidates by NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype. These executives pegged Schroeder’s present commerce worth at a number of second-round picks as a possible rental.
Ahead Dorian Finney-Smith is one other veteran who’s having probably the most environment friendly yr of his profession, taking pictures a career-high 42 % from three-point vary whereas taking part in sturdy protection. Finney-Smith’s manufacturing is much like the 2021-22 season when he and Dallas superior to the Western Convention Finals.
A number of playoff-caliber groups have already expressed curiosity in Finney-Smith, with some valuing him price a number of second-round picks, league sources instructed HoopsHype. It’s price noting that Finney-Smith has a $15.38 million participant choice for the 2025-26 season, which he can decline or train after which conform to an extension later if he’s moved to a contender targeted on profitable and prioritizing him within the rotation.
Ahead Cam Johnson is within the midst of his greatest offensive season and has tried to be the “glue” for Brooklyn’s workforce this season. Some executives who spoke with HoopsHype consider Johnson could possibly fetch a future first-round decide in return if the Nets commerce him earlier than the deadline. Nevertheless, if it’s as much as the 28-year-old Johnson, he’d push to remain in Brooklyn.
“I need to construct this,” Johnson instructed HoopsHype. “I actually like coach Jordi. I like our workers. I believe we’re headed in the proper path. I can’t inform them precisely what to do and proceed. The enterprise will do what the enterprise does. I don’t take it personally both manner. For me, I’m invested in what we’ve. It’s been thrilling to seek out progress and to see the potential. I need to be right here and get this factor actually rotated and again to profitable basketball. I believe we’ve the group to do it, and I believe we’ve the belongings and items to do it. No matter they resolve, no exhausting emotions.”
Johnson is owed $65.54 million by way of the 2026-27 season.
Groups gauging the commerce marketplace for a backup heart are monitoring Day’Ron Sharpe, who’s anticipated to return quickly from a hamstring damage for the Nets. With Noah Clowney out for at the least a few weeks with a sprained ankle, it’s a possibility for the 23-year-old Sharpe to leap again into the rotation instantly. Sharpe, who’s eligible for restricted free company this summer season, is being monitored by the Grizzlies, Clippers, Pelicans, Lakers, and Raptors, league sources instructed HoopsHype.
Ahead Bojan Bogdanovic can be hoping to make his return someday in December. NBA executives across the league count on the Nets to showcase Bogdanovic earlier than the commerce deadline and consider he may very well be price a second-round decide if he seems wholesome.
Finally, the Nets are trying to find gamers who will likely be part of their future for at the least the following two years within the grand scheme. Two Nets forwards who’ve made probably the most of their alternatives and are more and more anticipated to be part of that future are Jalen Wilson and Ziaire Williams, league sources instructed HoopsHype. The Nets have a $2.22 million workforce choice on Wilson for the 2025-26 season. Williams is eligible to grow to be a restricted free agent this summer season.
Lastly, two-way participant Tyrese Martin has impressed not too long ago by taking pictures a scorching 56 % from three-point vary by way of eight video games performed and has grow to be a rotation participant for the Nets.
