2025 Off-Season: Brooklyn Nets

[NYG]

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/rankings/player/_/year/2025/team/bkn/sort/cap_total

https://www.spotrac.com/news/_/id/2643/post-trade-deadline-2025-nba-cap-space-and-spending-power-projections

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/_/year/2025

What should/will the Brooklyn Nets do this off-season as what could be the only cap space team? What premium could they charge for their cap space in multi-team deals?

Do they trade Nic/Cam?

[BlazersBroncos]

They should trade Nic and Cam for assets + take on bad money for assets but IDK what they are doing.

They are lacking anyone who I realistically can see as a Top-3 option on a playoff team.

Cam Thomas is a 6th man on a legit team.
Cam Johnson is playing this year as a potential 3rd option type but he has always shown more of a 4/5th option and the one year he shows out like this is on a team where someone has to get usage. I dont see a team paying more than 2 meh FRP for him. And he isnt young.
Claxton is a guy that a contender trades for as the missing piece - not someone you really need to keep around as a rebuild team and at 25 he seems to be what is is by now.
Dennis expires.
Noah might be something in time.

After that group - I dont see a single guy on the roster who is necessarily a keeper, or even a projectable rotation guy on a decent squad.

They need too truly rebuild but again, no clue what the plan is.

[TheNetsFan]

I think the lottery will play a big role in their decision making. If they get lucky and can grab one of the top guys, I believe they'll prioritize cultivating a winning culture as quickly as possible. If not, they might tank again, but it's hard to envision that.

Given the monopoly on cap space, should a team decide to blow it up and duck the tax, they're uniquely situated to make that star trade and offer immediate relief or extract a pound of flesh as a facilitator.

I personally would move Claxton (LAL?), draft a big with at least one of their 5 picks, and pursue Naz Reid or retain Sharpe. If no star under the age of 32 is available via trade, then extract the best asset(s) you can from a team desperate to duck the second apron and/or the repeater tax.

[DrModesty]

They should try to snipe Giddey from the Bulls

[Astaluego]

I think they need another year of heavy tanking... I also don't see any free agents they'd have to spend money on long-term... Maybe a few bets on someone who can explode (Ty Jerome... I especially like him). If JJJ gets too expensive, I'd move the cap space to next year, taking salaries, playing as a third team, and getting paid for it... Guys like Patt Connaughton come to mind... Yes, I'd try to trade Claxton and Johnson... I love the fit Claxton has with Luka in the AL or Cam Johnson with the Warriors/Pistons/Spurs... Would Beal accept a move to Brooklyn? Beal/Dunn/Pick or/and KD trade prospects to the Suns for Cam/Clax

[R-DAWG]

I think the lottery will play a big role in their decision making. If they get lucky and can grab one of the top guys, I believe they'll prioritize cultivating a winning culture as quickly as possible. If not, they might tank again, but it's hard to envision that.

Given the monopoly on cap space, should a team decide to blow it up and duck the tax, they're uniquely situated to make that star trade and offer immediate relief or extract a pound of flesh as a facilitator.

I personally would move Claxton (LAL?), draft a big with at least one of their 5 picks, and pursue Naz Reid or retain Sharpe. If no star under the age of 32 is available via trade, then extract the best asset(s) you can from a team desperate to duck the second apron and/or the repeater tax.

So much depends on (a) where their pick lands and (b) what difference making star is available this offseason. Realistically, Brooklyn will end up between 4th and 7th best lottery odds - but it's all the luck of the draw. If your fortunate enough to land Cooper Flagg you may look to fortify the roster around him whereas with the 6th pick your more inclined to move pieces like Claxton/Johnson for value and do another year of heavy tanking.

One thing I think we count on is Brooklyn not using all 3 of their picks in the 20's this year (MIL/HOU/NYK). Market value to move off picks in the mid to late 20's is typically 3-5 2nd rd picks. Of course, Brooklyn can look to do a 2 for 1 to move up in the draft as well.

[facothomas22]

I think the Nets keep Cam Thomas unless the offers really blow them away. Far as the other 2, It depends the Nets picks that will decide if they will trade Cam Johnson/Nic Claxton or not.If they get Cooper Flagg, I think both guys will be kept. If they picks falls in the 2-3 range, I think one of Claxton or Johnson get moved depend what teams are willing to give. If they picks falls outside of the top 3, it will be simply a matter of how much teams would be willing to give up in order to get these guys. Here's what I think a package for both would look like.

Nic Claxton

Mitchell Robinson + Tyler Kolek + other filler + A Wizards 1st round pick(heavily protected), multiple 2nd round picks for Nic Claxton

Zach Edey + filler for Nic Claxton


Cam Johnson

Nikola Topic +Isiah Joe +Kenrich Williams + the Clippers 2026 1st round pick for Cam Johnson

Cam Whitmore + The Suns pick this year(11-14 range)? +Dillon Brooks for Cam Johnson

Zach Edey + Brandon Clarke + filler + the Grizzlies 2027 1st round pick for Cam Johnson





Thinking about, it's hard to find a team for Nic Claxton that has the assets that the Nets would want to get him and is a upgrade over what they have.The Celtics would be a good fit for him, but they don't have the salaries to get without attaching player that holds more value than him than.

[redslastlaugh]

If I was Brooklyn I would keep Claxton, Sharpe, and Cam Thomas. I would move Cam Johnson for future draft picks. I would really invest on building through the draft and take a longer term view of trying to develop a team culture based on stability and gradually home-growing players that will resonate with NYers.

Everything the Nets has done since they moved to Brooklyn has backfired because their moves were based on taking shortcuts to jump into the limelight with mercenary stars who don’t really care about the Brooklyn Nets

[TheNetsFan]

I think the lottery will play a big role in their decision making. If they get lucky and can grab one of the top guys, I believe they'll prioritize cultivating a winning culture as quickly as possible. If not, they might tank again, but it's hard to envision that.

Given the monopoly on cap space, should a team decide to blow it up and duck the tax, they're uniquely situated to make that star trade and offer immediate relief or extract a pound of flesh as a facilitator.

I personally would move Claxton (LAL?), draft a big with at least one of their 5 picks, and pursue Naz Reid or retain Sharpe. If no star under the age of 32 is available via trade, then extract the best asset(s) you can from a team desperate to duck the second apron and/or the repeater tax.

So much depends on (a) where their pick lands and (b) what difference making star is available this offseason. Realistically, Brooklyn will end up between 4th and 7th best lottery odds - but it's all the luck of the draw. If your fortunate enough to land Cooper Flagg you may look to fortify the roster around him whereas with the 6th pick your more inclined to move pieces like Claxton/Johnson for value and do another year of heavy tanking.

One thing I think we count on is Brooklyn not using all 3 of their picks in the 20's this year (MIL/HOU/NYK). Market value to move off picks in the mid to late 20's is typically 3-5 2nd rd picks. Of course, Brooklyn can look to do a 2 for 1 to move up in the draft as well.

I wouldn't count on Brooklyn not using all of their picks. Early reporting is that the plan is to expect all 5 picks are used, and to expect a lot of roster turnover. They have a pretty blank canvas at this point. Only 4 Nets players have guaranteed money next year. They did not draft anyone last year, so loading up on rookies this year wouldn't be too crazy. They could draft all 5, re-sign a couple pending FAs, and still have multiple open roster spots. They may trade up or trade trade a 1st for a future 1st (about a third of the teams don't have a first this year) if the value is right. Additionally, with their brutal upcoming schedule, that Milwaukee pick is trending towards a late teens pick; definitely not a mid to late 20s pick.

[TheNetsFan]

Thinking about, it's hard to find a team for Nic Claxton that has the assets that the Nets would want to get him and is a upgrade over what they have.The Celtics would be a good fit for him, but they don't have the salaries to get without attaching player that holds more value than him than.

The Lakers are the most logical suitor to me. He seems like an ideal Luka compliment. I also wouldn't be surprised if there's a team that has a very good center but would prefer to deal that player & get cheaper at the position (Gobert, Turner).

[facothomas22]

Thinking about, it's hard to find a team for Nic Claxton that has the assets that the Nets would want to get him and is a upgrade over what they have.The Celtics would be a good fit for him, but they don't have the salaries to get without attaching player that holds more value than him than.

The Lakers are the most logical suitor to me. He seems like an ideal Luka compliment. I also wouldn't be surprised if there's a team that has a very good center but would prefer to deal that player & get cheaper at the position (Gobert, Turner).

I wasn't thinking about the Timberwolves as a trading partner. However they do seem to be a good contender. They do have a draft pick this year and Rob Dillingham to use, which would be enough to excite the Nets. The Timberwolves may look to cut salary and Rudy Gobert is the biggest salary the Timberwolves have. In any Gobert trade, the Timberwolves would need a starting center coming back and Nic Claxton fits that. The question becomes is how much is Rudy Gobert worth on the trading market? He's making anywhere between 35-38 million over the next 3 years.If he viewed as being worth as much as Nic Claxton, the Nets would need include a 3rd team for assets.

[Papi_swav]

Nets will rebuild thru draft with the 4 1st round picks this draft. I see them trading 2 of those bottom picks to move up if they really like someone or they can trade one of those bottom picks to a team for a pick in next years draft of later. I just don't see them using all 4 of those draft picks, they also do good with drafting 2nd rounders too so they'll be loaded with rookies next year.GM Sean Marks has been very good at drafting with the limited picks he's had, now he's finally got an abundance of them.

There really aren't any star free agents this year so maybe try to pry away some restricted free agents like Giddey, Tre Mann, Aldama, Ty jerome. I think they'll resign Cam Thomas and Sharpe. I see them taking on a bad contract for a pick or so. We'll hear a lot of trade rumors for CamJ and Claxton, not sure if they'll be on the roster next season. Nets just need to rack up on talent for the time being and gather assets for when the next star ask for trade request.

[parsnips33]

Does it seem likely that they will try to bid up the price for Kuminga? Is he their type of player?

[NYG]

Would the Mark Williams offer get Claxton?

[NYG]

Brooklyn Nets get:
Gabe Vincent
Maxi Kleber
Dalton Knecht
2031 Unprotected Lakers First Round Draft Pick
2030 Swap Rights with Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers get:
Nic Claxton

[ReggiesKnicks]

Brooklyn Nets get:
Gabe Vincent
Maxi Kleber
Dalton Knecht
2031 Unprotected Lakers First Round Draft Pick
2030 Swap Rights with Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers get:
Nic Claxton

Do we all just forget how mediocre Claxton has been the past season or two?

[Papi_swav]

Brooklyn Nets get:
Gabe Vincent
Maxi Kleber
Dalton Knecht
2031 Unprotected Lakers First Round Draft Pick
2030 Swap Rights with Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers get:
Nic Claxton

I would take that if I'm the Nets

[Astaluego]

Claxton earns $25 million. In my opinion, he's significantly overpaid right now. His value should be neutral or slightly positive, and he needs a good playmaker, or he'll continue to decline. He's not a player who will increase in value on a bad team, but he's a luxury addition to a good team. Claxton + Knicks 25 FRP (now 26) for Maxi/Vincent/Milton + Lakers 31 (unprotected). The Nets are expiring his contract and are trading a late FRP for an unprotected future. ....

[gswhoops]

Shop Cam Johnson and Claxton for picks/prospects. Let Cam Thomas walk unless he’s willing to take a team-friendly deal (<$20M per year). Use your cap space to accumulate more assets from teams looking to dump salary.

[JKiddy]

I think the Nets will make sure they get one of the Top 4 players in the 2025 draft. If they get 1.5 so be it. They will have a massive amount of cap space. They probably know the next two stars that will be available and it might be Giannis and potentially MIN breaks up everything if they implode in a season or so. If they Nets land Giannis and still have Flagg or Harper or someone close to that, with most of the overachieving characters they have now, it seems like they can start building something fast. I think that is how they will spend their money, trade their assets, and compile the overabundance of picks they have coming.