Nets appear to be all-in on rebuilding the team
Mikal Bridges speaks during Nets player exit interviews at the team's training facility in Brooklyn on April 15. Credit: Jeff Bachner
With the NBA’s free agency moratorium lifted Saturday, the Nets’ trade of Mikal Bridges to the Knicks now is official. So is the Nets’ path toward a rebuild.
It’s a choice that could last through next season. It even could last through 2025-26 after their four first-round picks in 2025 turn from assets into players.
But the decision has been made. The Nets just have to hope it works and that fans can be patient through however long it takes.
So where do things go next? The good news is that Nic Claxton returns on a four-year, $100 million contract, with the Nets officially announcing that he has re-signed.
“Nic has made strides in his game in each of his first five seasons, developing into one of the top defenders in the league,” general manager Sean Marks said in a release. “With his outstanding work ethic and dedication, we know that Nic will continue to be relentless in his efforts to maximize his talents and expand his game.”
There’s also the trove of draft picks the Nets have from the Knicks, including six first-round picks. Just as important, the Nets also have their own 2025 and 2026 first-round pick back in a trade with the Rockets.
That’s insurance for the Nets’ outlook the next two seasons. If they’re bad enough to miss the playoffs, and they certainly could this season, they’ll at least get a top-10 pick for their troubles.
As for the players acquired in the Bridges trade, two didn’t see significant playing time last season. Mamadi Diakite is on an expiring deal. Shake Milton will sign a three-year contract, but only the first year is guaranteed. That means both players won’t affect the bottom line of the Nets having a ton of cap space in the 2025 offseason, which could be about $80 million.
Bojan Bogdanovic played his first two NBA seasons with the Nets and was productive last season. The 35-year-old forward also had surgery on his left foot and his left wrist, the former occurring after he was injured in the first round of the playoffs.
He also has a $19 million expiring contract. Bogdanovic, who shot 39.8% from three-point range last season, could be a decent contributor, which would help his trade value when the deadline arrives. It’s important to keep that logic in mind. Any roster decision between now and next summer is about freeing up cap space.
It also explains why the Nets are willing to hear trade offers for Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith, according to reports. Both had their struggles last season but still have value. Not just for a Nets roster that needs productive players, but also as trade bait to add more draft picks.
Until then, the Nets have two roster spots to fill. That number will shrink to one if Trendon Watford re-signs after being extended a qualifying offer.
The Nets also would be $10.8 million under the luxury tax with Watford back. That still would leave room to get a decent free agent, but the Nets can be patient and survey the landscape.
Make no mistake, though: Any celebration of Claxton staying in Brooklyn is tempered by the roster being weaker. If a trade for Johnson or Finney-Smith is pulled off, the Nets will take another step toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
“There’s going to be ups and downs,” first-year coach Jordi Fernandez said in April. “If we’re able to fight, if we care about each other, if we put the team first, we’re going to be very good in the long run.’’
Fernandez said that before the roster drastically changed. But with Bridges gone, the Nets have to lean on their coach’s motto because things figure to get worse in terms of losses and possible player movement before they get better starting in 2025.
Summer League play begins. The Nets will begin NBA Summer League play on Thursday in Las Vegas against the Pacers (8 p.m., NBA TV).
Second-year players Noah Clowney, Dariq Whitehead and Jalen Wilson lead a roster that includes Keon Johnson and Jaylen Martin, who were on two-way contracts last year.
The Nets also will play July 14 against the Clippers (4 p.m., ESPN+), July 16 vs. the Knicks and July 18 vs. the Magic. A fifth game will be announced later depending on team standings.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
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