The Nets have no interest in rebuilding as Thursday’s trade deadline approaches, which means any rumored deals involving Mikal Bridges are off the table, sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Scotto’s sources confirm that Brooklyn’s front office refused to discuss Bridges when the Rockets offered to return some of the draft assets they own from the James Harden deal in 2021.
According to Scotto, the Nets view Bridges as a foundation piece with a team-friendly contract that will pay him $23M next season and $24.9M in 2025-26. With Ben Simmons‘ $40.3M salary coming off the books after next season, Brooklyn officials believe they have a two-year window to add stars around Bridges. That could eventually make him a second or third option instead of the main focus of the offense, Scotto adds.
There’s more from Scotto on the Nets:
- Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale are both attracting trade interest, according to Scotto’s sources. Rival teams believe the Nets could acquire a first-round pick and a rotation player in exchange for Finney-Smith, who is under contract for $14.9M next season and has a $15.37M player option for 2025/26. The price for O’Neale, who has a $9.5M expiring contract, is viewed as multiple second-round picks, Scotto adds. Sources tell Scotto that Finney-Smith has attracted “significant interest” from several playoff contenders, including the Mavericks and Lakers, who may have lost Jarred Vanderbilt for the rest of the season. Finney-Smith played for Dallas before being shipped to Brooklyn in last year’s Kyrie Irving deal and he remains a close friend of Luka Doncic, according to Scotto. The Bucks, Thunder, Suns and Kings are other teams to watch for Finney-Smith, Scotto adds, while the Mavericks, Nuggets, Pacers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Suns and Kings have interest in O’Neale.
- Scotto suggests the Nets might be open to trading for Dejounte Murray if the Hawks are willing to accept Spencer Dinwiddie and a first-round pick in return. Atlanta is currently asking for two first-rounders in exchange for Murray, and Scotto notes that he has a 15% trade kicker as part of his contract, which will pay him $120.1M over the next four seasons (give or take a few million depending on incentives and that trade bonus).
- A few teams have inquired about Nic Claxton, but Scotto says many rival executives believe the Nets will try to re-sign their starting center when he becomes a free agent this offseason.
I just can’t imagine that the Nets would make Bridges completely off limits in a deal to acquire their own draft capital back considering their pick this year is inside the top 10. They think they can just keep swinging at star level players. Look how tbat worked out with KD, Kyrie and Harden.
So bc it didn’t work one time (bc kyrie is nuts) they should give up? lol not to mention the fact that a lot of stars want to play with Bridges
How often has star chasing legitimately worked? Not just for them, but any team in the nba.
ESPN had an article basically about this just today. In the last decade it hasn’t worked once (yet)
One time? You must be young. KG Nets were ballin.
Some not all is the key, if Houston was willing to give back everything including the swaps deal would get done but just two picks is selling low plus they are a few games within the play in which is why Houston is offering them to begin with they realize this isn’t a team that’s gonna bottom out
Picks + J Green and Eason + Whitmore
Bridges may not be a so-called “star” but he has more trade value than most players who have that designation. With offense getting easier and easier, a guy who’s a quality 2nd or 3rd option, and an All NBA defender on the wing, while only 27 on a team friendly multi-year contract, should hold his trade value for a number of years. In fact, it’s more likely to go up. Time is on BKN’s side, even if they end up trading him at some point.
In any event, even if BKN was looking to move him, it wouldn’t be for a package of draft picks alone, in particular remote draft picks. They have already turned down at least 2 offers that contained 4 FRPs.
What all do they want. I know Houston heard was looking to drop Landale. Rumors of Jalen were mentioned to Nets for Bridges and their draft picks. Rockets need to get rid of Tate. His time is slipping. Plus too many fouls when on court. Jabari I hope he picks up. Cam and Amen they do not want their minutes eliminated. But if trying to make a push to be a play in team not sure what all they can do. But guess we shall see what happens in next few days. But I know Houston needs help. Do not know who else could get.