The Brooklyn Nets are embarking on a total rebuild after trading Mikal Bridges to the Knicks. There has been plenty of drama and disappointment in recent years, but Sean Marks is ready to build up from the bottom. Dorian Finney-Smith is one of several veterans in trade rumors and the Nets will very different over the next three years.
The Nets plan on having one of the worst records in the NBA this season. They are preparing for the loaded 2025 draft and hope to land Cooper Flagg. There are several projected difference-makers available in the class, which only further convinced Brooklyn to head to the bottom.
The Nets want to reset and have a unique opportunity if they trade Cameron Johnson and Finney-Smith. The franchise could virtually reset their cap sheet and make an instant impact if they add the right pieces in free agency.
Nets should trade Finney-Smith and Johnson to reset their roster
Several veterans will draw interest from opposing teams before the deadline. Sean Marks will look to get something for Dennis Schroder and Bojan Bogdanovic before they head into free agency, but trading Finney-Smith and Johnson is key to completely starting over.
The Nets have just two players under guaranteed contracts for the 2025-26 season. Nicolas Claxton is set to make $26.1 million and Johnson sits at $21.5 million. DFS has a player option at $15.3 million. If Brooklyn trades the two wings, they would have $128.5 million in cap space and just one player under contract next summer.
The Nets could accept Shake Milton’s non-guaranteed $3 million contract and figure to re-sign Cam Thomas in restricted free agency. Even giving Thomas $30 million per season would leave Brooklyn with space for a maximum contract and to round out their roster. If they win the number one pick and get Cooper Flagg, their situation instantly looks more appealing to an available star.
LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, and Brandon Ingram headline the available class in the 2025 offseason. Things can change a ton before next summer arrives, but keeping their cap sheet clean makes sense. It gives the Nets more flexibility to make moves and allows them to maximize whatever building blocks they acquire in the draft.
Marks and the Nets front office have work to do before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. They should try to maximize their veterans early to raise their value.
Brooklyn needs to trade Dorian Finney-Smith, Cameron Johnson, Dennis Schroder, and Bojan Bogdanovic before the deadline without taking back significant long-term salaries. A contract quirk may complicate moving Johnson, but dealing all four leaves the Nets as a destination if multiple players want to team up, especially around a potential game-changing young talent.
The Brooklyn Nets are just starting a rebuild. Fans cannot expect too much too soon, but this is the right move. The Nets will be back as the young team punching over their weight in a few years. Hopefully, things don’t go sour by adding three superstars this time.