The Brooklyn Nets are going through an exciting transitionary period. After parting ways with Jacque Vaughn midway through the 2023-24 season, the Nets hired Jordi Fernandez to lead and help develop the team's remaining young talent. Brooklyn has several players who will be big contributors in 2024-25, and while some of their contracts are more lucrative, others are true bargains for the team.
It is important to note the Nets' highest contract earners before diving into those perceived to be most valuable for the team.
Ben Simmons leads the way as the team's highest-paid player. He is set to make roughly $40 during the 2024-25 season, part of the final year of his five-year, $177 million contract from the Philadelphia 76ers. There is no question of Simmons' ability to make the Nets better, but there are valid concerns about his health.
Since Simmons joined the Nets in 2022, he has only appeared in 57 of 164 regular season games. Simmons has unfortunately suffered back injuries that have hampered his abillity to stay on the court. Hopefully, the star forward can stay injury-free and turn a new corner going into his next season.
Outside of Simmons, the Nets' next big contract is Nic Claxton's. Claxton signed a four-year, $97 million extension during the 2024 offseason. ClutchPoints' Erik Slater believes the deal will be friendly for Brooklyn, as they front-loaded Claxton's contract, allowing him to make 13.99 and 11.50 percent of the team's salary cap in the deal's final two years.
Now that Brooklyn's top earners are noted, it is time to examine the biggest bargains for the upcoming season.
1. Cam Thomas: an emerging offensive superstar on a value deal
Cam Thomas had a breakout season in 2023-24. He averaged 22.5 points per game in 31.4 minutes. With Mikal Bridges traded to the New York Knicks, the Nets can give Thomas full reigns of the offense. It would not be surprising to see him average 25.0 points or more in 2024-25. He set to make just over $4 million, a true bargain for his production. If he continues his trajectory, the Nets or another team is certain to grant him a future payday.
2. Lonnie Walker (should he return) is outshining what the market is paying him
Lonnie Walker was one of the Nets' biggest offseason steals going into the 2023-24 season. He was a sparkplug off the bench, averaging 9.7 points in just 17.4 minutes of action. Walker has yet to return to Brooklyn on an official deal after his one-year, $2.3 million contract from the previous season. Surely, the Nets took note of Walker's outstanding production and should offer him more. Yet, if they give him a deal similar to his first, he could provide Brooklyn with some of the best value in the NBA.
3. Noah Clowney is on the brink of a breakout on his rookie deal
Noah Clowney spent most of his time with the Nets in the G League during the 2023-24 season, as he made just 23 appearances with Brooklyn. However, he showed great promise down the stretch when the Nets called his name. Clowney scored 10 points, grabbed seven boards, and totaled an unbelievable seven blocks against the Toronto Raptors in Brooklyn's 106-102 April 11 win. He fell just short of the franchise record for most blocks by a rookie, Brian Lewis of the New York Post noted.
Clowney is preparing to receive $3.2 million in the second year of his four-year, $15 million rookie contract. He still has a lot to prove, but his trajectory could see the Nets make use of his services on another bargain deal.
It will be interesting to see how Brooklyn's players perform in 2024-25 amid the team's various financial commitments. Can young stars and role players continue to outplay their contracts? Will Ben Simmons show the NBA world that he is worth his hefty salary? Follow along for the answers.