The Brooklyn Nets have lastly determined to completely embrace a rebuild, beginning by buying and selling away Mikal Bridges and reclaiming management over their subsequent two drafts. This strategic shift provides the franchise the flexibleness to chart a brand new course. The massive query now could be whether or not Brooklyn may also look to maneuver different key gamers like Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Dennis Schroeder, who all have potential commerce worth. Even Nic Claxton, recent off his offseason re-signing, may change into a commerce asset when he’s eligible to be moved this season (which is January 15, 2025).
Whereas expectations are low for the Nets, the departure of Bridges opens the door for a brand new star to take middle stage. Cam Thomas, who averaged 22.5 factors per sport final season, will now have an excellent bigger function, solidifying his rising trajectory. The 22-year-old guard is rising as a key constructing block for the workforce’s future or a useful commerce asset. In the meantime, Schroeder, coming off a stellar efficiency within the 2024 Paris Olympics, will run the offense at level guard. Nic Claxton’s new long-term deal gives some stability within the paint for Brooklyn.
Regardless of this basis, the Nets appear poised to tank in hopes of touchdown a high prospect, doubtlessly somebody like Cooper Flagg, as they absolutely decide to a long-term rebuild.
The workforce has a complete payroll of $134,704,059 for the 2024-25 season, rating them nineteenth within the NBA.
Returning:
Nicolas Claxton, Trendon Watford, Keon Johnson, Ben Simmons, Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Schroeder, Cam Thomas, Day’Ron Sharpe, Noah Clowney, Dariq Whitehead, Jalen Wilson, Jaylen Martin
Additions:
Bojan Bogdanovic (New York), Ziaire Williams (Memphis), Shake Milton (New York), Killian Hayes (Detroit), Amari Bailey (Charlotte), Tyrese Martin (Iowa, G League), Yongxi Cui (Guangzhou)
Departures:
Mikal Bridges (New York), Keita Bates-Diop (Minnesota), Dennis Smith
Ethan Miller/Getty Photographs
The Nets have rising expertise in Jalen Wilson, Noah Clowney, Dariq Whitehead, and Cam Thomas, who led the workforce with a mean of twenty-two.5 factors per sport final season. The management of Dennis Schroeder is clear, coming off a formidable efficiency on the 2024 Paris Olympics. Nic Claxton gives stability within the paint together with his defensive presence and rebounding, secured beneath a long-term contract. Ben Simmons may change into a reclamation challenge akin to how Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaac returned to kind after an prolonged interval of restoration and being away from the court docket because of a number of accidents.
Brooklyn is in a transition section that will see the buying and selling of veteran gamers like Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith, doubtlessly stripping the workforce of veteran depth. This shift in direction of rebuilding, highlighted by the expectation to tank for a excessive draft choose, would possibly compromise workforce morale. Alongside challenges in sustaining a sturdy protection if key gamers are moved and reliance on younger skills which can result in inconsistencies.
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports activities
HoopsHype: fifth within the Atlantic Division, 14th within the Japanese Convention.
ESPN: 4th within the Atlantic Division, ninth within the Japanese Convention
Sportsbooks: 19.5 projected wins
HoopsHype compiled the consensus win averages by gathering win projections from eight sportsbooks, together with FanDuel, Fanatics, BetMGM, DraftKings, ESPN BET, BetRivers, Caesars, and bet365.
