Bobby Marks: Brooklyn Nets top team need: ‘establish an identity’ in off-season
As he does at each key juncture in the NBA year, Bobby Marks offers his assessment of where Nets stand heading into off-season, which could begin Saturday. In his off-season preview of all 30 NBA teams, including the NBA Draft as well as free agency, ESPN’s Bobby Marks writes Thursday that the Brooklyn Nets top need is “to establish an identity” going forward and their top priority is figuring out what to do in the 2024 Draft. where they currently have no picks.
“Identity” in the minds of most means simply figuring out who the Nets want to be as a franchise going forward ... and acting upon it. Starting with the naming of Jordi Fernandez as head coach and his development-centric staff, Sean Marks has taken the first steps. Now, comes the execution, starting with the Draft. For Bobby Marks, and the fan base, the Nets needs provide little mystery. As he writes, the list is long:
A consistent playmaker
Interior presence in the paint
Shooting
Perimeter defenders and wing depth
A starting-caliber playmaking wing
Veteran and experienced leadership or players who have won at a high level
Some of those needs would seem to be easy to fill, like a starting caliber playmaking wing. The Nets believe they have that in Mikal Bridges. Indeed, both the team and Bridges have prioritized his continued improvement in that area. Similarly, assuming Nic Claxton is re-signed and Noah Clowney improves on his impressive late-season turn, the Nets should be improved in interior presence as well.
But other needs Bobby Marks identifies, like identifying and acquiring a primary playmaker, adding wing depth, improving perimeter defense and finding that veteran presence will be big issues for Brooklyn.
The ESPN insider’s take on how the Nets get there is a bit more detailed, starting with the June 26-27 Draft:
What is the cost to get into the draft? Brooklyn has seven future first-round picks, 11 seconds and cash available to trade.
The price point to retain free agent Nic Claxton, who is an unrestricted free agent and one of the league’s top centers.
Identifying a facilitator in the trade market, with Ben Simmons and Dennis Schroder becoming free agents in 2025.
Does chasing the next disgruntled All-Star fit the timeline of new coach Jordi Fernandez?
What is the level of concern if Mikal Bridges does not extend this offseason? Bridges has two years left on his contract and is eligible starting on Oct. 1 to extend for three years and $112.9 million.
How does Cam Thomas fit into the Nets’ future? Thomas averaged a career-high 22.5 points, and he is rookie-extension eligible, but it might be best for Brooklyn to wait because of his low free agent hold in 2025.
Again, Bobby Marks offers some hints of what the Nets long-term thinking may be. He signals what has been hinted: that the Nets are looking at “the next disgruntled All-Star,” not just free agents. And as Dennis Schroder told Braunschweig Zeitung, his hometown paper, last week, the Nets may be looking long-term at whether Giannis Antetokounmpo could be had in a trade. Others have suggested the same thing about the Bucks big.
As for the backcourt, Bobby Marks wonders whether the Nets are really interested in Schroder long term despite the German guard’s desire to stick around. He also wonders about where Ben Simmons fits. Simmons remains in Miami working out following his second back surgery in two years. It should be noted that among Fernandez’s first priorities was traveling to South Florida to visit Simmons.
As for that most immediate decision, getting in or staying out of the 2024 Draft, ESPN colleague Jeremy Woo offers this assessment of the Nets possibilities, reporting that even a first round pick isn’t out of the question considering how many teams might want to trade excess picks in a mediocre draft.
The Nets hold no picks at present, but they have the assets to buy or trade into the draft. There should be opportunities to do that, with many teams holding multiple selections in the middle to late part of the draft and presumably looking to create value, rather than utilizing all their picks on players. Brooklyn could have bench minutes available for the right NBA-ready rookie or it could take a longer view and target a younger prospect. If the Nets don’t get into the draft, they will want to be aggressive on the undrafted free agent market.
Five teams — the Spurs, Trail Blazers, Wizards, Jazz and Knicks — have two picks in the first round while four teams — the Spurs, Trail Blazers, Wizards and Grizzlies — have two second round picks; The Pacers have three. The Nets currently are the only NBA team without a pick in the first or second round. One league source has told NetsDaily that it’s not impossible that once the second round is complete on June 27, Brooklyn could wind up with two picks.
Bobby Marks lays out in detail the Nets flexibility going forward as well as their current situation. He gives them an 8 out of 10 rating on their future draft assets, adding they “are allowed to trade up to seven firsts. Brooklyn also has 10 second-round picks available.”
He also clarifies the Nets draft situation in 2028 with a bit of a new twist.
The Nets have the right to swap their own first or Philadelphia’s (if the pick’s range is within Nos. 9-30) with Phoenix’s in 2028.
Brooklyn will receive a 2027 top-eight-protected first from Philadelphia if the 76ers convey their 2025 first to Oklahoma City. If the first is not sent to the Thunder, Philadelphia then will owe its 2028 first (if 9-30) to the Nets.
Finally, he takes a look at the Nets own free agents, who the team can start talking with the day after the NBA Finals end. That could be Saturday. Claxton, Lonnie Walker IV, Dennis Smith Jr. and two-way Keon Johnson are unrestricted meaning the Nets don’t have the right to match any offers they might receive, Trendon Watford and Jacob Gilyard, their late season two-way addition, are restricted. Keita Bates-Diop has a $2.6 million player option and Jaylen Martin is in the second year of the two-year two-way deal he signed late last season.
NBA Free Agency 2024: Priorities, needs for 30 teams ($) - ESPN+
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings