Brooklyn Nets Season Preview
After parting ways with their best player, Mikal Bridges, who was traded to the Knicks, the Brooklyn Nets have officially entered a rebuilding phase for the 2024-25 season. The focus now shifts to developing young talent and building for the future.
Offseason Overview
Re-signed: Nic Claxton, Keon Johnson, Trendon Watford
Additions: New coach Jordi Fernandez, Bojan Bogdanovic (trade), Killian Hayes (free agent), Shake Milton (trade), Ziaire Williams (trade)
Departures: Mikal Bridges (traded to Knicks), Keita Bates-Diop (Knicks), Lonnie Walker IV (Celtics)
Unsigned Free Agents: Jacob Gilyard, Dennis Smith Jr.
Draft: None
Last Season Recap
The 2023-24 season was a rough one for Brooklyn. After hovering around .500 during Christmas, the team collapsed and finished with a 32-50 record. Despite solid individual performances from Cam Thomas (22.5 points per game) and Bridges (19.6 points per game), the Nets were starved for a true star and were far from playoff contention. To make matters worse, their lottery pick belonged to the Rockets due to the 2021 James Harden trade.
Summer Summary
With the team going nowhere, Brooklyn made the bold decision to trade Mikal Bridges after his value peaked, netting a haul from the Knicks in exchange: four unprotected first-round picks, a protected first from the Milwaukee Bucks, and an unprotected swap. This trade gives the Nets significant future flexibility and the ability to rebuild, especially since they took on no long-term salary in the deal.
This move leaves the Nets with ample salary cap space for the summer of 2025 and regains control of their 2025 and 2026 draft picks, setting them up for future success.
Spotlight on Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons remains the team’s biggest enigma. Entering the final year of his massive contract, it’s unlikely he’ll command much trade value due to his inconsistent play and injury concerns. Nonetheless, Simmons represents the last remnant of the Nets’ failed “superteam” experiment, and moving on from him will mark a new era for the franchise. The focus is now on the gradual rebuild, with Simmons symbolizing their past missteps.
Season Outlook
The Nets have essentially punted the 2024-25 season by trading Bridges, leaving them with modest expectations. While Nic Claxton, who recently signed a four-year, $100 million extension, is poised to take another step forward, and players like Cam Thomas and Cam Johnson are expected to see increased roles, a playoff berth is highly unlikely.
Brooklyn is banking on positioning themselves well for the 2025 NBA Draft, which is projected to feature several game-changing prospects. Additionally, the team’s flexibility with salary cap space next summer provides an opportunity to rebuild smartly. While the season might not be a total wash, it’s clear the focus is on long-term growth rather than immediate success.
