The Brooklyn Nets are entering year four of their rebuild. While the on-court product hasn’t been pretty, the Nets have done a fantastic job with their rebuild in terms of development, asset acquisition and flexibility.
Nets To Make $200 Million Pitch To 2026 Free Agent?
Brooklyn, the youngest team in the NBA with an average age of 23.3, finished with the third-worst record at 20-62. The Nets were the second-least competitive team in the league. The Nets lost 42 games by double-figures and finished tied with the second-worst scoring margin at -10.0 a game. They also only had six games end within one possession, posting a 2-4 record in those contests.
Obviously, Brooklyn had lots of issues this past year. The Nets had the worst offense in the league, averaging a league-worst 105.9 points per game, nearly five points fewer than the Milwaukkee Bucks, which finished 29th in scoring. The Nets were also the worst-shooting team in the league, with an effective field goal percentage of 52% and a true shooting percentage of 55.9%. Turnovers were a huge problem, and the Nets were the fourth worst in the league on the glass.
Brooklyn showed some promise defensively, leading the league in defensive rating in December. But things went downhill from there for the Nets, as they finished 25th in defensive rating. In truth, the Nets struggled on the defensive end as much as they did on offense, allowing opponents to shoot a league-best 49.7% from the field and 38.1% from the 3-point line. They also struggled to protect the paint, transition defense, and fouling.
Brooklyn posted the second-worst record in the NBA in 2026, going 10-42. It was so bad for the Nets that they lost earlier this month despite not playing a game. The Nets, who last gifted the No. 1 pick in 2000, fell three spots in the draft lottery and will pick sixth. They also have two second-round selections at No. 33 and No. 43.
On the positive side of things, Michael Porter Jr. was terrific for the Nets and is a real asset for them this summer. Day’Ron Sharpe was also very good, producing a career season. Noah Clowney continues to take small steps in his development, though he is still highly inefficient.
What Can The Nets Do This Summer?
While the Nets may not be close to being a contender, they can start the process of being competitive this offseason. The Nets have 13 players under contract, though they have some flexibility: four players hold team options, and the salary cap hit is $123 million. Ziaire Williams, Josh Minott, Malachi Smith, and Sharpe are the players with team options. Sharpe could be the only player to have his option exercised, though Minott and Smith are candidates to return.
“The Brooklyn Nets hit the offseason in a very interesting place,” Keith Smith of Sportac said. They don’t have control over their 2027 first-round pick, as it’s controlled by the Houston Rockets via swap rights. That would suggest that the Nets have no reason to tank next season, which is very likely an accurate assessment.”
By not picking up Williams, Minott, and Smith’s options, Brooklyn increases their salary cap space from about $35 million (taking into account their No. 6 pick’s projected salary of $6.8 million) to about $46 million. Porter Jr., Nic Claxton, and Terrence Mann are trade candidates. Additionally, the Nets have a draft chest of 32 future draft picks, including 13 first-rounders, with seven of them eligible to be traded.
Speaking of the No. 6 pick in the upcoming June draft, the Nets have several options. Darius Acuff, Keaton Wagler, Nate Ament, and Aday Mara are the players the Nets are potentially targeting at No. 6. However, they may trade the pick in what is a pretty deep draft, per ESPN’s Jeremy Woo.
“After a second straight disappointing lottery result dropped the Nets three spots, this pick is viewed around the league as a potential wild-card spot, with Brooklyn needing star power and still developing young players at every position after rostering five first-rounders a year ago,” Woo wrote. “What direction the Nets wind up going might offer insight into how they view their current prospects. They also have cap space and a supply of tradable future firsts at their disposal. Acuff Jr. doesn’t fit Brooklyn’s established positional-size philosophy, but he has a best-available case if this is how the board falls. It’s not viewed as a given that the Nets select a guard, however, and they could find value in trading back.”
Austin Reaves On the Radar? Nets To Make $200 Million Pitch?
The Nets’ biggest need is to find someone who can initiate and create offense. They also need to add depth to the frontcourt.
A potential option for the Nets is the Lakers guard Austin Reaves, who reportedly will decline his player option and become a free agent. Reaves has been highly productive on the offensive end the last two years, averaging 23.3 points a game on a highly efficient 49% shooting from the field. He struggled mightily with efficiency in the playoffs this past season.
Reaves is eligible to sign a max contract of $239 million over five years. However, ESPN’s Bobby Marks said several scouts and executives expect him to sign a $200 million, five-year deal. It is also possible that Reaves’ first-year salary under the new deal could be in the $40 million range.
The Lakers are considered the favorites to keep Reaves. But if Reaves receives a $40 million offer for the 2026-27 season, it may be too rich for them. Therefore, the Nets could theoretically swoop in and snag him.
Gregory Fisher, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
