As the NBA trade season heats up, the Brooklyn Nets find themselves in a unique position - and that’s not just talk. They’re currently the only team in the league with real cap space, which gives them a rare kind of flexibility in a league where most rosters are pressed tight against the salary cap. That kind of leverage opens the door to absorbing contracts that other teams are desperate to unload - but only if the Nets get something worthwhile in return.
Think of it like this: Brooklyn can be the league’s cleanup crew, taking on unwanted deals - but they’re not doing it out of charity. They want draft picks, young talent, or other assets that make the financial burden worth it.
And while they may be in a strong position on paper, they’re not alone in this space. Teams like Utah and Washington are also lurking, ready to take on salary if the price is right.
“There’s other teams in the market for taking on money,” one assistant GM said. “Utah will be in that market, Washington will be in that market… The Nets have often charged a premium for that. They’ve wanted to hold to their valuation and get a number they feel really good about.”
That’s a key point. Brooklyn’s front office, led by Sean Marks, has a track record of sticking to its price.
They don’t just do deals to do deals - they want value. But the danger in that strategy is getting undercut.
If another team is willing to take on the same contract for less, the Nets could miss out on opportunities.
Beyond absorbing contracts, Brooklyn is also expected to be active in another way: listening to calls on their own players. One name that keeps coming up is Cam Thomas.
Now, Thomas is a fascinating case. He’s shown flashes of scoring brilliance - the kind of microwave offense that can change a game in a hurry.
But there’s a real question about how he fits into the Nets’ long-term plans, and even how he fits with the current coaching staff. That uncertainty makes him a potential trade chip, though there’s a wrinkle: Thomas has veto power over any deal, giving him some control over his future.
“Obviously, we’ve all seen him have these games where he can fill it up,” said one veteran Eastern Conference executive. “There’s a certain segment of the Nets fan base that is obsessed with him.
And yet, it doesn’t seem like the coaching staff is all-in on him. Doesn’t seem like he helps the team win.”
That’s the dilemma. Thomas can go off for 30 on any given night, and when he does, he makes you question everything.
But consistency, defense, and team fit still matter - especially for a team trying to build something sustainable. There’s also skepticism around the league about what kind of contract he might command.
Some execs think he’s aiming high, but may not find many takers at that price point.
Meanwhile, trade chatter isn’t limited to Brooklyn. Around the league, front offices are already laying the groundwork for what could be a busy deadline.
In Dallas, the Mavericks are reportedly open to listening on several veterans. But don’t expect a full-on fire sale. The Mavs still want to compete this season, and according to multiple sources, they’re more likely to hold onto Anthony Davis than move him before the February 5 deadline.
The Suns, meanwhile, have been linked in the past to Kings big man Domantas Sabonis. But despite some past interest, current indications suggest Phoenix isn’t looking to make a move for him right now.
In Indiana, the Pacers are said to be in the market for a long-term answer at center. That’s led to speculation about who they might target, with several names potentially in play.
As the deadline approaches, analysts are starting to sort teams into categories: buyers, sellers, and those likely to stand pat. Zach Harper has weighed in on that front, while John Hollinger has gone a step further, assembling his “All-Deadline Team” - a list of players he expects to be at the heart of trade talks.
Some names are obvious, like Jonathan Kuminga, but Hollinger also highlights some under-the-radar candidates who could end up being key pieces in deadline deals - think Mike Conley in Minnesota, Ousmane Dieng in OKC, Jeremy Sochan in San Antonio, and CJ McCollum in Washington.
Bottom line: the trade winds are picking up, and while the Nets have a head start thanks to their cap space, they’ll need to navigate a competitive market. They’ve got options - and decisions to make.