The Brooklyn Nets are in a great position, believe it or not. They are fully armed with cap space, draft capital, and young talent, but no pressure to compete right now. That’s not a problem…it’s a gift. And it’s one Brooklyn has to treat like gold.
Most rebuilding teams enter the process with a single building block: one lottery pick, one young star, one direction. Brooklyn’s path is different. After moving on from Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden from a few years ago, the Nets didn’t just tear things down. They flipped each deal into a stockpile of picks and players. They were also awarded a crown jewel when they moved on from Mikal Bridges. The Nets were handed not one, not two, not three, not four, but FIVE first-round picks in return for Bridges, setting the tone for the next era.
Volume over perfection.
It’s not about finding the one. It’s about giving yourself as many chances as possible to hit big. Look no further than Oklahoma City. The Thunder built one of the NBA’s most promising cores by leaning all the way into this idea. They missed on some picks. It didn’t matter. With enough swings, you don’t have to be perfect. You just need to keep shooting.
The Nets have four first-round picks in the 2025 draft. That alone could reshape the franchise. But the real opportunity is in how they use their cap space. Not to chase stars who don’t fit the timeline. Giannis Antetokounmpo, for example, would be a misstep. Brooklyn needs to add players who hold value now and later. Think of veterans like Dennis Schröder or similar plug-and-play guards: proven, affordable, and movable.
The sign, develop, flip approach
This kind of approach gives Brooklyn flexibility. Cap space isn’t just for chasing names. It’s a tool. And they should use this tool to absorb contracts. Use it to get picks from teams looking to offload salary. Use it to build leverage.
The Nets already have a foundation. Cam Thomas is a walking bucket. Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe bring size, energy, and upside. There’s no need to rush anything. Time is on their side, and so is patience. Brooklyn has a real chance to build something sustainable, something that lasts longer than a single playoff run.
Stay disciplined
If the team decides to keep stockpiling picks, adding movable veterans, and keeping their books clean, then they can become the next great example of modern team-building. The Nets don’t need to win the offseason. They need to win the long game. And they’re in the perfect position to do just that.