The Brooklyn Nets’ decision to trade Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks this offseason was a pivotal move. It marked the start of their rebuilding phase. Despite this, the Brooklyn Nets are well-positioned to transition from rebuilding to retooling as early as the 2025 offseason. With a combination of expiring contracts, significant cap space, and draft capital, Brooklyn is poised to swiftly pivot back into contention. The 2024-25 season may be a tough one for fans. However, the future beyond that could bring hope and quick competitiveness.
The Brooklyn Nets Could Be In Playoff Contention By the 2025 Offseason
The Mikal Bridges Trade and Cap Space Flexibility
The trade of Bridges clearly signaled a new era for the Nets. Brooklyn will likely face a challenging 2024-25 season, but this could be temporary. The move gave them back their 2025 and 2026 first-round draft picks from the Houston Rockets, positioning them to potentially tank and select a franchise-altering talent like Cooper Flagg. However, the real key lies in their financial flexibility.
The Brooklyn Nets are projected to have between $44 million and $65 million in cap space during the 2025 offseason, far more than any other team. With most other NBA teams strapped for cap space, Brooklyn will be the only team with over $30 million to spend. This provides them with a unique opportunity to sign top free agents. They could also absorb contracts from teams looking to unload salary.
Expiring Contracts and Potential Retentions
Brooklyn’s situation is bolstered by the numerous expiring contracts they have on the roster, including Ben Simmons, Bojan Bogdanovic, Dennis Schroder, Ziaire Williams, Day’Ron Sharpe, Cam Thomas , and Trendon Watford. The Nets will likely want to bring back some of these players, particularly young talents like Thomas and Sharpe, who could be key pieces for the future. However, clearing the books of contracts like Simmons could open up even more space.
If general manager Sean Marks can make some savvy midseason trades involving veterans like Dorian Finney-Smith, the Nets could free up even more room by the 2025 offseason. These moves would shed salary and potentially bring in additional draft capital or younger assets, accelerating the rebuild.
The 2025 Free-Agent Class: A Potential Goldmine
The Nets’ potential financial power in the 2025 offseason aligns perfectly with a free agent class with plenty of talent. Some of the top free agents expected to be available include Myles Turner, Alex Caruso, Aaron Gordon (player option), Naz Reid (player option), Jalen Green (restricted), Alperen Şengün (restricted), Julius Randle (player option), Brandon Ingram, and Jimmy Butler (player option).
Brooklyn’s significant cap space will allow them to aggressively pursue these players, while most other teams will be limited in their ability to make competitive offers. Turner, for example, would bring much-needed rim protection and shooting. Ingram or Butler could provide the type of star power the team would need to jump back into playoff contention. The Nets will have the flexibility to sign multiple players or trade for high-end role players. The Nets can quickly reshape their roster around a top draft pick like Flagg or another prospect they could land in the 2025 draft.
Strategic Tanking and Quick Turnaround
One of the smartest strategies that the Nets could employ this season is embracing a tank to secure a top pick. In addition to Flagg, other top-tier prospects in the 2025 draft could significantly elevate the team’s ceiling. A year of losing could set the Nets up for a long-term competitive future. This is especially true when combined with their cap space and draft assets.
If the Nets can secure a top pick, they could quickly surround their new franchise player with veterans and proven talent from the 2025 free-agent pool. This approach has been employed successfully by teams in the past. Most notably the Cleveland Cavaliers did something similar after landing LeBron James in 2003. The Memphis Grizzlies surrounded Ja Morant with solid veterans in their swift turnaround.
The Importance of Sean Marks’ Vision
Marks has a history of making bold moves. His ability to craft trades and signings will play a crucial role in Brooklyn’s ability to retool. The Nets could lower their projected cap space by taking on multi-year contracts in trades. This may be worth the price if it leads to acquiring strong future assets.
Marks could take advantage of teams looking to offload salary. The Nets could absorb contracts in exchange for future draft picks or young players. This maneuver could keep Brooklyn competitive while ensuring they have the flexibility to act aggressively in free agency.
The Last Word
The 2024-25 season may feel like a difficult period for the Nets and their fans, but the long-term outlook is filled with promise. With substantial cap space, a favorable draft position, and multiple options to trade for assets, the Nets have the tools to quickly bounce back and be competitive by the time the 2025 offseason is over. If they manage the next year effectively, they could become one of the most compelling teams in the NBA. They could leverage a single year of struggles to build a foundation for lasting success.
