No NBA team has more first-rounders or total picks in the 2025 draft than the Nets, who currently control the eighth, 19th, 26th, 27th, and 36th overall selections.
According to Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscriber link), Brooklyn’s collection of 2025 picks, combined with general manager Sean Marks‘ history of draft-day trades, “almost immediately” led to chatter at this month’s combine about the Nets looking to move up in the draft.
As Lewis details, there has been plenty of speculation about the possibility of the Nets trying to move up to No. 2, since they heavily scouted local star Dylan Harper, whose father Ron Harper also addressed the idea of a Brooklyn trade on Twitter. Additionally, the Spurs, who currently hold that pick, already have De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle in their backcourt.
However, one source told Lewis that reports linking the Nets to the No. 2 pick are “all BS and rumors,” while a separate league source who spoke to The New York Post said he can’t envision a scenario in which Harper ends up in Brooklyn.
If the Nets do move up from No. 8, the Sixers (No. 3), Jazz (No. 5), and Wizards (No. 6) are considered likelier trade partners, in Lewis’ view.
Multiple reports have indicated that the 76ers, specifically, would only consider trading that No. 3 pick in scenarios where they move just a few spots back in the lottery (rather than further back, or out of the first round entirely), since they still want to add a “dynamic young talent” to their roster. A deal with Brooklyn might fit that criteria.
Still, Lewis stresses that even if the Nets are exploring trading up in the draft, that doesn’t necessarily mean a deal would have to involve the No. 8 pick. In fact, giving up assets to move up two or three spots from No. 8 might not make sense in a draft that doesn’t have a clear-cut top tier of six or seven prospects, he adds.
The sentiment around the league, Lewis explains, is that Brooklyn might actually try to acquire a second lottery pick (perhaps further back in the top 14) by using some combination of the team’s other first-round picks (Nos. 19, 26, and 27), future draft capital, and/or veteran wing Cameron Johnson. The Nets will also have substantial cap room this offseason, so they could further sweeten any trade offer by agreeing to take on an unwanted contract.
I feel they will trade up for Fears, Harper will go to the Suns or Bucks
Really prefer Kasparas.
The Nets do need someone to build around. The wizards to me are the team that need to most picks.
I think it may be more likely that they could end up adding the 13th (Hawks) or 14th (Spurs 2nd pick) pick… by among other things, taking on Terence Mann or Barnes or Keldon Johnson and a future pick and/or one of their late picks.
Yahoo Sports estimates the Nets to have approximately $91.8 million in cap space for the 2025-26 season.
My projections
Offer Naz Reid 3 years $100 mm
Offer Crimes 3 Years $70 mm
Offer VanVleet 3 Years $110 mm
All 3 teams are deeply concerned about $100 million luxury tax per year (Rockets are likely to start paying luxury tax in 2027, other two are next season)
If the Nets cannot get their ‘whale” player like Giannis they will want to tank again next year. Presti paid a lot to control the Nets 2025 and 26 picks. It makes no sense to get the players you suggested in that scenario.
Plus, with those players the nets will be a middling team. Why go that route overpaying for players that don’t get you to be a contender?
Presti? What are you referring to?
I know many have suggested another year of tanking, but until the lottery system is revamped, hasn’t the last few years (or many years) of lottery results taught us anything?? As a Nets fan, there’s no way I would advocate for another year of hoping the ping pong balls bounce in their favor.
Instead, they should try and build something. They have a competitive young nucleus, and will add more talent in this draft. They should make a key FA addition or 2 and start moving up the standings to the point that they will become a desired landing spot for top FAs or others looking to make a move.
They will have desirable chips to move midseason if they don’t make the fwd progress they hope for. Only then would I move CamJ, who is too valuable as a lone vet on this roster, whatever their trajectory is in the short run.
I agree with SHaq
Brooklyn might have more leverage this offseason than any team in the history of the league. I think they should leverage that leverage to punch up
There will probably be 5~8 cap teams next year to fight with if they kick the can another year….Why fight with them in a similarly underwhelming free agent class 26 summer as well? Press the boot today
Also yea I think they love Jordi and wont make him go thru all that again …Important to note Hou still has Brklyns 27 swap so while they could kick the can a year they’d immediately have to get better year after as they dont control that pick. Best to rip the bandaid right now and get a jump start, these things tend to take a while anyway to get moving
I think the Jordi factor is big. I don’t think he’ll be happy about another year of being sabotaged by the FO so that they can lose more games.
Agree
I also kinda see a sidebar to Will Hardy and Utah here with the Hardy ext. Think Utah might do some moderate punching up here as well in the next 50 days that was probably discussed at the extension table (just a guess)
This is a great point… it’s not as if the seas are going to part for the Nets a year from now. They will be up against a bunch more teams that have cap space. They’re in a unique position to exert their financial leverage and it’s not likely we’ll see a situation like this again any time soon. Merely having their own pick next year isn’t in and of itself, a good reason to throw another year away.
Lewis suggested that the Nets might be able to move up by using their financial leverage with a team that has a RFA and wants to fend off a lucrative offer… iow, the mere threat of an offer to a RFA could have value… example being that the Nets could say they won’t make an offer to Grimes in exchange for swapping picks with the Sixers… allowing the Sixers to bring Grimes back for less than it would have taken to match a Nets offer.
sounds a lot like collusion
more likely it could reduce the cost of a potential deal to move up if they agree not to exert their financial leverage.
Of all the RFAs this time around, I think Aldama is the best fit. The Grizzlies have lots of length and could easily withstand the loss. And he brings exactly the kind of stretch 4 with size they’ve been missing since KD left.
And Aldama is the right age and career track to fit where the Nets are going… plus Spanish connection with Jordi.
Makes more sense to draft Queen. They should also draft Beringer, if he is still around. Can never have enough big men as trade assets.
It wasn’t that long ago everyone was high on all of the Nets young talent but outside of Cam who hasn’t played 70 games in season. They look like they are going to be mediocre for awhile.
I can’t think of that many examples of teams trading up in the draft. Trading out into future years is somewhat common. I recall Atlanta and Dallas for the Luka trade but struggle to think of many examples of trading up like we see in the NFL.
1
Nets need to trade for a star
2
Overpay and Sign a good free agent like Naz Reid or VanVleet, then trade them in January
3
Trade up to top 2 pick only
I can see them getting 10 from Rockets if Houston doesn’t use as part of a bigger deal. Prob 10 and Dillon Brooks for 26, 27, and Cam Johnson.
Then flip those two and Jabari Smith to someone for a future unprotected first.
Rockets don’t need young player and Dillon can be replaced by Amen. Rockets then move on from Jabari Smith as Cam Johnson takes those minutes with Tari behind him.
#3
For
#8, 19 and our 27/28 pick returned
Getting that second pick is huge. Also Imagine getting Maluach and Demin that would be nice. Then they can move Cam.
At #8 Nets will get a good player. Moving into lottery gets them another starter. Imo there is plenty of talent in the whole first round. Two lottery picks for Nets are two potential starters with upside.
Nets can also go and sign Giddey.
I love a true rebuild thru the draft. Imo its the best way to build a team. In any sport really. This is where your talent scouts and development team. Get to show their stuff. This is a great draft to start this.
In the past decade, the idea of trading up into the top 10 of the NBA draft has been mostly a theorhetical pre-draft discussion point. This draft shows why. I’m sure BKN would love to trade up to #2 to draft Harper. So would a lot of other teams. But I don’t see SAS trading it for a bunch of lesser future assets. That’s rarely looks like a winning move a few years later. A trade up from #8 to #3 – #7 is possible, but with the talent level pretty fungible after the top 2 in this draft, it might not be an impacful deal.
Agree. And that’s why it’s probably more likely that if they do something, it will net them another pick late in the lottery.
Agree and the whole theory with historical references is rock solid
Counter- They fall in love with a player like Khaman and call out the sniper to pay with future royalties
Im of mind that Claxton is worth more on the market than to Brk currently so I view the C spot open in Brk on June 25th
But that be pick 3,4,or 5 not 2 …Unless Giannis is a Spur Harper will be Imo almost 100%
I really don’t see Maluach as a lottery pick. The Duke connection has done wonders for his perceived value.
Otherwise I agree that Claxton’s perceived mkt value is greater right now than what it is to Bklyn. I’m ready to cash him out.
What dont you like, curious?…Im personally very very smitten but not a college guy whatsoever
If I had to use 3 words to describe him controlled and slow would be 2 of them. Now usually slow means bad but in this case it seems so controlled on film I think its a major boon
The fact he’s so raw and new to the game and apparently has a great infectious personality as a teamate only further pulls me in… What has you differ ….
He has a completely undeveloped offensive game. And it’s not as if he was a game changer on defense either. I really never saw him do much. And it’s a long term project to develop a C who’s that raw. And there are a bunch of other 7 footers with much further developed games. I like Raynaud in particular. Maluach may or may not have a high ceiling but it’s pretty risky that he’ll get there imo.
Plenty of Centers have been picked high in the draft the past 10 years.. Ayton, Clingan & Edey more recently who were way more accomplished and may not be big impact players.
Spurs and Rockets are in play tor Giannis. Bucks have no picks of their own for like next three yrs. So moving Giannis this draft makes a lot of sense. Both teams have good young talent and high picks to trade.
With all these 19 yr olds coming out today. Its harder to predict those next great players. Bucks taking good young talent like Smith Jr or Sochan plus. Is good value in return and smart. You want players that can play now.
I see Sixers different. If they believe in their team. They need a more ready guy now. Harper would be great. Cause he could be a rotation guy till ready. He fills a position of need. But at #3 who is ready to help them next 1-3 yrs. Look at what happened in GS. I can see them trading down for a more ready player like Queen. Or Knueppel a shooter they need.
Spurs, Sixers, Rockets are teams to watch who may trade out, down.
Don’t worry. Depend on GM Zeppo Marx to deal back and pick up a sure-fire G Leaguer.