After a disappointing 2023–24 showing, Networks fans got what they unanimously wanted this offseason: concrete direction.
Brooklyn traded Mikal Bridges across the river for prize picks, and traded for control back of his own future draft picks, triggering a full rebuild just in time for a historic draft class.
The basketball may not be pretty, but the Nets still boast plenty of promising talent and how they perform this year will dictate those to come.
Here’s what to expect as Brooklyn ushers in a new era…
Capture the Flagg
While no one on the court is going to throw games away, it’s obvious by trading Bridges — and not having fun trading those assets for a new star — that the Nets are putting themselves in the running for Cooper Flagg.
The No. 1 recruit currently playing for Duke is expected to go first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, and is widely considered a franchise-changer for whichever pro team may decide to select him.
Given this context, if Brooklyn plays more competitively than expected near the trade deadline, don’t be surprised if they trade some of their veteran talent in search of future picks and current losses.
Dorian Finney-Smith has been in rumors for two seasons now and is worth more to a competitive team, Dennis Schroder could return a value, and Ben SimmonsThe big expiring deal can be useful around the league.
However, front offices and fans would probably prefer a team, even in the early stages of a rebuild, to avoid being under-20 wins poor. The foundations of a successful culture can begin to form even during these down seasons, but that’s hard to do when a team is simply a vehicle for a high draft.
The good news is that Brooklyn can be both.
They have some real interesting pieces Cam Thomas and Nic ClaxtonAnd even if they miss out on Flagg, this class is so loaded with talent that a pick lower in the lottery can still propel their team forward.
The Cam Thomas factor
If there’s one man standing between the Nets and either a top draft pick or a surprise Play-In Tournament run, it’s Thomas.
Arguably the most polarizing player in the league, Thomas is drier than anyone who’s been paying attention over the past two seasons — an elite bucket getter with a massive amount at just 23 years old.
Last season, Thomas’ first with any real control over the offense, he averaged 22.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 48.1 percent shooting from two and 36.4 percent shooting from three. He opened the season with three consecutive 30-point outings, and had four 40-point games on the year, a mark only shared by 14 other players.
He’s made tangible strides with his play — his assist rate jumped from 9.7 percent as a rookie to 12.7 percent in 2023 to 15.7 percent last season — while his turnovers remain flat. His catch-and-shoot efficiency also skyrocketed to a career-high 43.6 percent from three in 2023-24.
Put this together and we should be talking about whether Thomas is the next star in this league, yet the national media and the anonymous executives they quote just shrug their shoulders and dismiss him. His poor defense and the occasional odd quote fuel that hit, but not enough to justify it.
Thomas should be considered one of the league’s best prospects, but it’s far more important to the Nets that his team does so than their various viewers.
Even during his 2023-24 breakout, Thomas was inexplicably benched by a head coach Jacque Vaughnbut the hope is that he will have the full trust and support of the organization this season and beyond.
How Thomas responds to that confidence will be the biggest question of the season for the Nets.
If his naysayers are right, he will throw the Nets into the first overall pick and likely move on. But if his rise continues, they have some real talent to pair with their 2025 pick and can map out their future team around them. If he’s too good this season and pulls Brooklyn out of reach for the lottery, maybe that speeds up their entire timeline.
Building blocks
The blueprint for a decent team is here.
Thomas is the offensive focal point surrounded by options who can shoot, dribble and pass into Finney-Smith, Cameron Johnson and Schroder. Claxton and Simmons are the head of a shifty, versatile defense, and if all the pieces click and are coached, they can be competitive on a nightly basis.
But with the postseason a lofty goal, the Nets fans and staff will be looking to their less proven and younger players to find kids who will continue this roster building and be able to contribute to future winners.
Brooklyn accepted Zaire Williams in a Memphis salary dump this offseason, a shrewd move to scoop up a former top-ten pick who hasn’t lived up to expectations to this point in his career. He looked solid during the preseason, and has the potential to be a real player moving forward for the Nets.
Returning second-year players Noah Clowney and Jalen Wilson should get plenty of opportunities this season, with both playing key roles during the exhibition games. Day’Ron Sharpe is currently injured, but he should continue his ascent up the depth chart once he returns.
It would take a major jump from one of these names to make a real difference this season, but ultimately Brooklyn’s focus is on the long term. The right breakout year makes a veteran higher in the rotation expendable, and sets the stage for one of these prospects to become a mainstay for future seasons.
Prediction
Even stripped of their highest return of the Kevin Durant business, this team will need more moves if it wants to fully bottom out. Thomas, the Washington Wizards and Portland Trailblazers will all make it difficult for Brooklyn to win the Flagg sweepstakes, but given the lottery odds and talent on the roster, that may be a blessing in disguise.
The Nets would finish with a 27-55 record, missing the Playoffs but setting up their franchise for future appearances behind a high draft pick and another leap from Thomas.
