The Nets haven’t held their own lottery pick since 2010, a rare luxury for a franchise that’s frequently traded away high draft selections.
Securing the No. 8 overall pick was below Brooklyn’s expectations following a difficult 26-56 season in 2024-25, but the Nets have options. They also pick Nos. 19, 26, 27 and 36 in the 2025 NBA Draft, giving them five top 40 selections and substantial flexibility to reshape their roster.
Brooklyn enters the 2025 offseason as the only NBA team with at least $40 million in cap space, more than double the amount of any other franchise. It possesses a wealth of draft assets, holding 16 first-round picks — 13 of which are tradable — and 16 tradable second-round picks.
This puts the Nets in an advantageous position. They can either draft young talent or use picks as trade bait to acquire players or additional assets.
ROSTER UNDER CONTRACT
G Keon Johnson, G Dariq Whitehead, G Tyrese Martin, F Cam Johnson, F Jalen Wilson, F Noah Clowney, F Maxwell Lewis, C Nic Claxton, C Drew Timme
The Nets currently have $65 million in committed salary for nine players, not including any future draft picks. Johnson, Wilson, Martin and Timme have team options for 2025-26 at minimum or near-minimum salaries.
Johnson, who has two year, $44 million left on his current deal, and Claxton, a versatile big sought after by frontcourt-needy teams, are valuable trade assets if Brooklyn leans into a longer rebuild.
FREE AGENTS
G Cam Thomas (RFA), G D’Angelo Russell (BIRD), G D’Anthony Melton (NON-BIRD), F Day’Ron Sharpe (RFA), F Ziaire Williams (RFA), F Trendon Watford (UFA)
Thomas and Sharpe are the Nets’ key restricted free agents to monitor. Brooklyn can match any offer sheets they receive from other teams. A 3–4-year contract for Thomas, ranging from $15–25 million annually, makes sense for him. Sharpe could fetch a deal in the 3-year, $30 million range.
FINANCES
The Nets are projected to have $45 million – $60 million in available cap space this summer. They are $195.5 million from the first apron, $207.8 million from the second apron, $187.8 million from the tax threshold and own an $8.8 million room exception, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
TEAM NEEDS
In their second year under head coach Jordi Fernandez, the Nets urgently need playmaking and star potential to elevate their roster. In 2024-25, they ranked 28th in offensive efficiency, 26th in 3-point shooting percentage, 26th in assists per game and 28th in points in the paint.
Fernandez’s up-tempo system requires high-IQ players adept at fast-paced play. Beyond Russell, an unrestricted free agent, the Nets lacked guards who could facilitate for others consistently and their offense often suffered because of it. Bolstering wing depth and enhancing defensive versatility are also top offseason priorities for Brooklyn.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH
Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma, Freshman, PG)
Fears is a high-upside prospect and a realistic target for the Nets. He perfectly suits Brooklyn’s need for a playmaking guard, bringing dynamic ball-handling to create rim pressure, score in transition and set up teammates. While his outside shooting remains a work in progress, his creativity makes him one of the most exciting guards in this year’s class.
Noa Essengue (Ratiopharm Ulm, Germany, F)
Essengue brings explosive athleticism and the potential to develop into a dynamic two-way force. His high-motor and defensive versatility allows him to guard multiple positions, though his offensive game remains unpolished. His perimeter creation skills need refinement, but he’s shown flashes of upside. Brooklyn’s need for wing depth and defensive versatility makes him a good fit.
Kon Knueppel (Duke, Freshman, SG/SF)
Knueppel lacks elite athleticism, struggles at times to finish at the rim and thrives within a structured offense. But his elite 3-point shooting and efficient scoring make him a standout. His competitive defense adds value, and in a league where spacing is critical, the Duke star could seamlessly complement Thomas’ scoring.
Ben Saraf (Ratiopharm Ulm, Israel, PG/SG)
Saraf, an elite playmaker, is a strong target for the Nets’ later first-round picks. His high basketball IQ, proficiency in pick-and-roll and above-average size for a combo guard makes him an interesting fit. However, his athleticism is average compared to other prospects and his outside shooting is inconsistent.
Egor Demin (BYU, Freshman, PG/SG)
The Russian point forward brings exceptional size for a guard, paired with elite playmaking. A versatile scorer, he thrives on or off the ball and offers high defensive upside with a ridiculous wingspan. He must add strength to his wiry frame and improve his 3-point shooting to maximize his impact at the next level.
Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois, Freshman, PG/SG)
Jakucionis would complement Thomas’ scoring with his high-IQ playmaking and elite pick-and-roll vision. Though an average athlete, his crafty scoring arsenal and size provide strong defensive upside.
Nolan Traore (Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball, France, PG)
Traore is a dynamic playmaker with great speed and vision. He excels at collapsing defenses and creating easy scoring opportunities for others. He’s a formidable threat in transition and an acrobatic finisher around the rim. He must improve his outside shot, but the offensive tools already at his disposal makes him an exciting prospect.
Hugo González (Real Madrid, Spain, PG/SG)
González excels as an elite perimeter defender with ideal size and sharp instincts. While his offensive game requires refinement, he effectively slashes to the rim and thrives in transition. Given his Spanish roots, González could be a prospect Fernandez has long targeted.
Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina, Freshman, F)
Murray-Boyles is a great defender, a tenacious rebounder and connective playmaker. A force in the paint, he draws contact and finishes with soft touch. His relentless energy and hustle make him a standout. However, his turnover-prone play and limited outside shooting need work.
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