The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and while some teams made splashy moves to reshape their rosters, the Brooklyn Nets kept things relatively quiet - at least on the surface. But make no mistake, there were still a few notable developments in Brooklyn, even if they weren’t headlining ESPN’s ticker.
Let’s start with the most surprising twist: the Nets waived Cam Thomas.
Yes, that Cam Thomas - the microwave scorer who could drop 20 in a blink when he got hot. The move wasn’t a trade, but it sent just as many ripples through the league.
Thomas, speaking with Marcus Spears, didn’t mince words about what he brings to the table: “Super excited, ready to actually help and contribute to another team,” he said. “My next team is getting elite scoring, good playmaking and a good combo guard.”
That’s a confident statement - and not an empty one. Thomas has shown flashes of being a dynamic offensive weapon, capable of creating his own shot and heating up in a hurry.
For a team in need of bench scoring or a spark plug guard, he could be an intriguing pickup. For Brooklyn, though, the decision to cut ties signals a clear direction: this front office is focused on long-term flexibility and roster balance over short-term scoring bursts.
As for actual trades, the Nets made a pair of under-the-radar moves that speak more to asset accumulation than immediate impact.
Trade with the Nuggets:
- Nets receive: Forward Hunter Tyson and a 2032 second-round pick
- Nuggets receive: 2026 second-round pick (the less favorable of the Clippers or Hawks)
This is a classic future-focused move. Tyson, a stretch forward with upside, gives Brooklyn a developmental piece to evaluate. And while a 2032 second-rounder may seem like a lottery ticket from another lifetime, these are the kinds of assets that can quietly stack up and become useful - either in trades or as chances to unearth undervalued talent down the road.
Trade with the Celtics:
- Nets receive: Josh Minott
- Celtics receive: To be announced
Minott is a long, athletic wing who’s still raw but has tools worth exploring. He’s the type of player who fits the mold of a modern NBA rotation piece if he can put it all together - think switchable defense, energy plays, and transition finishing. Brooklyn’s front office is betting on their development staff to bring that potential to the surface.
So what does it all mean?
The Nets didn’t chase headlines at this year’s deadline, but that doesn’t mean they stood still. Waiving Cam Thomas may have been the biggest shock, but the moves they did make show a franchise that’s playing the long game. They’re not swinging for the fences midseason - they’re laying bricks for a more sustainable future.
And in a league where the margins matter more than ever, sometimes the quietest deadlines can end up being the most meaningful.