The Nets face a difficult task this summer, as they look to start turning their losing ways around without the benefit of a top-five pick. They don’t control their pick in next summer’s draft, meaning they have no incentive to tank, and therefore must find the most effective way to get this roster to a state of competency, Brian Lewis writes for the New York Post.
Brooklyn is in a position to be one of the major players in free agency, if it chooses to go that route. The team has already been linked to Lakers free agent guard Austin Reavesthough most expect him to remain in Los Angeles once the dust settles. They could try to bring in some other talented younger veterans like restricted free agents Tari Eason, Jalen Durenor Peyton Watsonto put next to the scoring punch of Michael Porter Jr.
They could also explore trying to trade up in the draft, though it’s expected to be very difficult to move up, given the perceived talent level at the top of the class.
We have more from around the Atlantic Division:
The Celtics have three options facing them this summer: run back the same roster, go all-in on a blockbuster deal, or find some depth-boosting margin moves, Keith Smith writes in his offseason preview for Spotrac. The first option is unlikely, as the team will want to make real progress towards becoming a contender again, Smith speculates. If they pursue the third path, which is the most probable, Nikola Vucevic and Dalano Banton would be unlikely to return. Smith calls Anfernee Simons, Quentin Grimesand John Collins, among others, interesting options they could look to bring in.
The Sixers have three players with team options that they will have to make decisions on by the June 29 contract option due date, Adam Aaronson writes for the Philly Voice. Dominick Barlow was a feel-good story for the Sixers this season, emerging as a reliable rotation player after being signed to a two-way deal. However, that doesn’t mean that picking up his option is the best course. Aaronson expects the team to decline the team option and negotiate a longer deal. A similar outcome makes sense for Trendon Watfordas declining his option and signing him to a one-year minimum contract would lower his cap hold from $2.8MM to just over $2.4MM, though it would prevent him from being traded this summer. Finally, Aaronson predicts the team picks up Dalen Terry‘s $2.6MM option, which is non-guaranteed.
The arrival of NIL money has changed the draft landscape for teams picking after the lottery, such as the Raptorswho hold picks No. 19 and 50, Michael Grange writes for Sportsnet. “It seemed like (picking) in the 20s range … there was more certainty in terms of being able to find guys for sure that that we really liked back in the day,” said assistant general manager Dan Tolzman. “…There’s not as much of a chance to, like, have guys kind of fall through the cracks as there used to be.” However, the team is optimistic in its ability to find a contributor later in the first round, as they did with I’m Kobe Walter when they selected him 19th in 2024.
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