The NBA is built around superstars. Teams that have one face immediate pressure to craft a championship roster that will convince said player to stick around. Teams that don't spend their days plotting how they will acquire one to inch closer to the championship conversation. The Brooklyn Nets fall into the latter group.
After trading Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving at the 2023 deadline, Brooklyn was left with several high-level role players and a treasure trove of draft picks. However, with no star to lead the way, the new-look team has yet to find an identity. Following a 32-50 campaign this season, the franchise's worst since 2017-18, general manager Sean Marks faces pressure to land a marquee name.
The looming star pursuit has cast doubt over the future of nearly every Net outside of Mikal Bridges. Dennis Schroder, who joined Brooklyn at this year's trade deadline, spoke about the team's roster uncertainty in an interview with German newspaper Braunschweiger Zeitung.
“Brooklyn is a really cool, great organization, quite family-oriented. I'd definitely like to stick around for the long haul,” Schroder said. “My agent and I feel like the Nets liked how I contributed. I've brought in more defense, teamwork and displayed leadership, but if someone as exceptional as Giannis Antetokounmpo or another superstar wants to join Brooklyn, the Nets could make deals to acquire that player … and that's why nothing is certain in the NBA.”
Which Nets veterans could be on the trade block amid star rumors?
Dennis Schroder averaged 14.6 points and 6.0 assists on 42/41/80 shooting splits in 29 appearances with Brooklyn last season. If the Nets pursue a star this summer, the veteran floor general would be a prime candidate to be used as a salary filler in a trade. Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith fall into the same category. Schroder is entering the final year of his contract at $13 million in 2024-25, while Johnson and Finney-Smith will make $23.6 million and $14.9 million, respectively.
Cam Thomas' name has also been floated in trade rumors following his breakout season. The third-year guard led the Nets in scoring after cracking the rotation, averaging 22.5 points per game on 44/36/86 shooting splits. Brooklyn can package an assortment of these players with up to seven tradable first-round picks.
What stars could become available?
The Nets are expected to be at the front of the line of trade suitors this summer if Donovan Mitchell declines to sign an extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Schroder's mention of Antetokounmpo comes amid uncertainty surrounding the two-time MVP's future with the Milwaukee Bucks. While Antetokounmpo signed an extension, Milwaukee severely underwhelmed this season, losing in the first round for the second straight year. The Bucks blew most of their remaining assets last summer, trading Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, a 2029 first-round pick, and two first-round pick swaps (2028, 2030) for Damian Lillard.
The move backfired. Lillard saw a drastic dip in production compared to 2022-23, averaging 24.3 points on 42.4 percent shooting from the field and 35.4 percent from three. So did Milwaukee's defense, which dropped from fourth last season to 19th this year. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics are on the verge of winning a championship after acquiring Holiday from the Trail Blazers.
Milwaukee owes Lillard, who will turn 34 next month, $162 million over the next three years. Meanwhile, Khris Middleton will be 33 next season, and Brook Lopez will turn 37. Come draft night, the Bucks will have the 23rd and 33rd picks in this year's draft, as well as their 2031 first-round pick, to use in trades. However, they don't have many young prospects to offer as they seek win-now help.
Sean Marks is confident in his ability to lure stars to Brooklyn
The Nets could make an enticing pitch if a star becomes available via trade this summer or next. Mikal Bridges is on a value contract at $24 million annually for the next two seasons. On top of their stockpile of draft picks, they can open nearly $80 million in cap space next offseason, depending on roster decisions.
Marks pointed to those assets and the allure of the New York market when asked earlier this season about his ability to attract stars.
There's a real possibility that the Nets will run it back in 2024-25 with a similar roster to last season. However, with assets at their disposal and management motivated to make a splash, Schroder and several other veterans are bracing for the possibility they could be on the move.
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