The Nets face a difficult task this summer as they look to start turning their losing ways around without the benefit of a top-five pick. They don’t control their first-rounder in next summer’s draft, meaning they have no incentive to tank, and therefore must find the most effective way to get this roster to a state of competency, Brian Lewis writes for the New York Post.
Brooklyn is in a position to be one of the major players in free agency, if the front office chooses to go that route. The team has already been linked to Lakers free agent guard Austin Reaves, though most expect him to remain in Los Angeles once the dust settles. The Nets could try to bring in some other talented younger veterans like restricted free agents Tari Eason, Jalen Duren, or Peyton Watson to complement veteran forward Michael Porter Jr.
The Nets could also explore trying to trade up in the draft, though that’s expected to be very expensive, given the perceived talent level at the top of the class.
We have more from around the Atlantic Division:
- The Celtics have three options facing them this summer: run back the same roster, go all-in on a blockbuster deal, or find a way to improve their depth around the margins, Keith Smith writes in his offseason preview for Spotrac. The first option is unlikely, as the team will want to make real progress towards becoming a contender again, Smith speculates. If they pursue the third path, which is the most probable, Nikola Vucevic and Dalano Banton would be unlikely to return. Smith identifies Anfernee Simons, Quentin Grimes, and John Collins, among others, as interesting free agent options Boston could target
- The Sixers have three players with team options that they will have to make decisions on by the June 29 deadline, Adam Aaronson writes for the Philly Voice. Dominick Barlow was a feel-good story for the Sixers this season, emerging as a reliable rotation player after being signed to a two-way deal. However, that doesn’t mean that picking up his $3.4MM option is the best course. Aaronson expects the team to decline that option in order to negotiate a longer deal. A similar outcome makes sense for Trendon Watford, as declining his option and signing him to a one-year minimum contract would lower his cap hold from $2.8MM to $2.45MM, though it would prevent him from being traded this summer. Finally, Aaronson predicts the team picks up Dalen Terry‘s $2.6MM option, which is non-guaranteed.
- The arrival of NIL money has changed the draft landscape for teams picking after the lottery, such as the Raptors, who hold picks No. 19 and 50, Michael Grange writes for Sportsnet. “It seemed like (picking) in the 20s range … there was more certainty in terms of being able to find guys for sure that that we really liked back in the day,” said assistant general manager Dan Tolzman. “…There’s not as much of a chance to, like, have guys kind of fall through the cracks as there used to be.” However, the Raptors are optimistic in their ability to find a contributor later in the first round, as they did with Ja’Kobe Walter when they selected him 19th overall in 2024.
