NBA Trade Season Heats Up: Nets Positioned to Be Major Players with Cap Space and Draft Strategy
Trade season is officially underway in the NBA, and while the deadline may still be weeks away, the groundwork is already being laid across front offices. As of Monday, nearly every player in the league-523 of the 540 under contract-is now eligible to be traded, including 82 who signed early in the summer. The remaining 17 players who inked deals later in the offseason will become trade-eligible on January 15.
This is the time of year when rumors start flying and deals begin to take shape behind the scenes. Last season, we saw trade news break well before the actual deadline. Don’t be shocked if we see something similar this year, especially with teams like the Brooklyn Nets actively working the phones.
Brooklyn's Strategy: Draft Capital Over Star Power
The Nets have made their intentions pretty clear: this isn’t about chasing stars anymore. After the highs and lows of the Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving era, Brooklyn has pivoted to a long-term rebuild. That means stockpiling draft picks, creating financial flexibility, and positioning themselves for the future.
Right now, they’re sitting on $15.3 million in cap space-more than any other team in the league-and they’re not just letting it sit idle. That space is a weapon, and Brooklyn is using it to absorb contracts in exchange for more draft assets.
The Nets already have a war chest of picks: 13 first-rounders, two first-round swaps, and 19 second-rounders. And they’re not done yet.
According to multiple league insiders, the Nets have been actively shopping around the league, offering to take on salary dumps in return for more picks. That cap space gives them a unique edge, especially with only two other teams-the Pistons and Jazz-holding significant trade exceptions ($14.1 million for Detroit and $18.4 million for Utah). But unlike trade exceptions, cap space offers more flexibility, especially in multi-team deals.
A Shift in Philosophy
Brooklyn’s front office, led by GM Sean Marks, has reportedly moved away from the idea of using Mikal Bridges as a secondary star to lure a primary one. That idea was scrapped when they traded Bridges to the Knicks. Now, the focus is on the top of the upcoming draft, with the hope of landing a future franchise cornerstone to pair with the five first-round picks they just made this past June.
This isn’t just a rebuild-it’s a calculated reset. The Nets aren’t rushing the process. They’re looking to build something sustainable, and that means patience, smart asset management, and avoiding the temptation to go all-in too soon.
Eyes on the Market
There’s already been chatter about potential deals involving players like Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton, but one scenario that gained traction over the summer involved a possible trade with the Celtics. In that deal, Brooklyn would’ve taken on Anfernee Simons’ $27.7 million expiring contract in exchange for a first-round pick. Simons, who averaged over 20 points per game during his last four seasons in Portland, has seen his role shrink in Boston after being acquired in a salary dump for Jrue Holiday.
Brooklyn reportedly asked for a first-rounder to take on Simons’ deal and help Boston avoid potential CBA penalties. But that price was too steep for Celtics president Brad Stevens, who has since made other moves to ease the financial pressure. Still, the scenario reflects the kind of deals Brooklyn is looking for-take on short-term money, collect long-term value.
Cam Thomas’ Uncertain Future
Then there’s the Cam Thomas situation. The talented scorer is still sidelined with a nagging hamstring injury and won’t be re-evaluated for another week. His future with the team is clouded, not just because of the injury, but because of contract complications.
Thomas accepted a $6 million qualifying offer this past offseason, which gives him veto power over any trade and would strip him of his Bird Rights if he’s moved. That’s a tough spot to be in, especially after reportedly turning down a one-year, $9.5 million deal and a two-year, $30 million offer with a team option. If he’s traded, he risks losing leverage in free agency this summer.
And even when he returns, his role may not be what it once was. Head coach Jordi Fernandez didn’t exactly give a glowing endorsement when asked about Thomas’ place in the rotation.
“The context is different now,” Fernandez said. “Before Cam got hurt, obviously, his superpower was the ability he had to score. At the same time, we always want to see playmaking efficiency and improvement on defense.”
Fernandez praised the team’s recent progress and hinted that reintegrating Thomas could be a challenge. “Now the group is taking positive steps,” he added. “When he comes back, it’s going to be on me to figure out how we introduce him into the group… the most important thing is always the group.”
That’s coach-speak for: we like what we’re seeing without him.
Summer Recap: Turning Cap Space into Picks
Brooklyn’s front office has already shown how serious they are about maximizing their flexibility. This past summer, they used $40 million in cap space-and an additional $1.1 million in cash-to acquire two first-round picks (one in 2025, one in 2032), a 2032 second-rounder, and took on the contracts of Michael Porter Jr., Haywood Highsmith, Terance Mann, and Kobe Bufkin (who was later waived).
That’s the blueprint: take on salary, add picks, rinse and repeat.
The Bottom Line
Brooklyn isn’t chasing the quick fix anymore. They’re playing the long game, using every bit of cap space and every opportunity to gather assets for a future that could look very different than the recent past. With trade season now in full swing, the Nets are in a prime position to be one of the most active and influential teams on the market.
They’ve got the space. They’ve got the plan. Now it’s just a matter of execution.