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The Brooklyn Nets didn’t get the memo they’re presupposed to be tanking. As a substitute, a number of veterans on the crew have improved statistically to begin the season below first-time NBA head coach Jordi Fernandez, who’s maximized the roster properly and has the Nets hovering across the .500 mark by 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 getting into a rebuild and have probably the most commerce candidates of any crew. General, search for any Nets commerce to be targeted on buying future draft decide compensation, league sources advised HoopsHype.
Earlier than Nets 23-year-old main scorer Cam Thomas suffered a left hamstring pressure, The Athletic reported he’s “extensively thought of to be out there.” Whereas any Web is technically thought of out there, given the early rebuilding stage the franchise is embarking on, it’s price noting league sources advised HoopsHype proprietor Joe Tsai is a fan of Thomas. Coach Fernandez has additionally lauded his scoring “superpowers” in press conferences.
Thomas can also be thought of probably the most polarizing gamers within the league, as some NBA executives worth his scoring means and have taken discover of his enhancing effectivity. In distinction, others query if he could be a position participant on a profitable playoff-caliber crew and argue he provides 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 among the most effective basketball of his profession, taking pictures a career-high 41 p.c 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 court docket as the ground normal. A confirmed veteran at 31 years outdated and on an expiring $13 million deal, Schroeder is taken into account considered one of Brooklyn’s high commerce candidates by NBA executives who spoke with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 12 months of his profession, taking pictures a career-high 42 p.c from three-point vary whereas enjoying sturdy protection. Finney-Smith’s manufacturing is just 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 advised 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 crew 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 advised HoopsHype. “I actually like coach Jordi. I like our employees. I feel we’re headed in the precise route. I can’t inform them precisely what to do and learn how to proceed. The enterprise will do what the enterprise does. I don’t take it personally both means. For me, I’m invested in what we’ve got. It’s been thrilling to seek out progress and to see the potential. I need to be right here and get this factor actually circled and again to profitable basketball. I feel we’ve got the group to do it, and I feel we’ve got the property and items to do it. No matter they resolve, no exhausting emotions.”
Johnson is owed $65.54 million by the 2026-27 season.
Groups gauging the commerce marketplace for a backup middle are monitoring Day’Ron Sharpe, who’s anticipated to return quickly from a hamstring harm for the Nets. With Noah Clowney out for a minimum of a few weeks with a sprained ankle, it’s a chance 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 advised HoopsHype.
Ahead Bojan Bogdanovic can also be hoping to make his return someday in December. NBA executives across the league anticipate the Nets to showcase Bogdanovic earlier than the commerce deadline and consider he could possibly be price a second-round decide if he seems wholesome.
In the end, the Nets are looking for gamers who will probably be part of their future for a minimum of 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 advised HoopsHype. The Nets have a $2.22 million crew choice on Wilson for the 2025-26 season. Williams is eligible to turn out to be a restricted free agent this summer season.
Lastly, two-way participant Tyrese Martin has impressed lately by taking pictures a scorching 56 p.c from three-point vary by eight video games performed and has turn out to be a rotation participant for the Nets.
