Several executives around the league expect the Nets to be at the forefront of the trade market this offseason, Marc Stein reports in his latest Substack notebook. They have a glut of wing players, led by Mikal Bridges. They also intend to match any offer for restricted free agent Cameron Johnson, Stein notes.
That means the Nets may seek suitors for Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale as they attempt to upgrade in other areas, Stein adds. Finney-Smith is signed through the 2025/26 season with the final year being a player option. O’Neale has one year left on his contract.
We have more on the Nets:
- Speaking of being active on the trade market, multiple league executives expect the Nets to make a run at Damian Lillard if the perennial All-Star and Trail Blazers decide he’d be better off in another uniform, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports. The Nets would likely have to add multiple first-rounders to include Ben Simmons in the trade. Alternatively, they could send the Blazers multiple players — including a quality young piece — and a couple of first-rounders.
- What is Johnson’s market value? According to execs that Scotto spoke with, he could get a four-year contract worth approximately $90MM. He’ll have some numerous suitors, including the Rockets.
- Bridges feels responsible for Brooklyn getting swept out of the postseason by Philadelphia, according to Ryan Dunleavy and Brian Lewis of the New York Post. Though he averaged 23.5 points in the series, he was held to 17 points in Game 4. “I feel like these past games, I’ve been letting my team down,” Bridges said. “I hate not [winning] a game for them. It hurts me as I’m just trying, but it’s part of it, man. I just own up to it and realize all you can do is just get better. That’s the biggest thing for me.”
- General manager Sean Marks confirmed a report that Simmons probably won’t need a second back surgery, Lewis tweets. “He is checking the boxes and meeting these different markers along the way,” Marks said. “So at this point, he does not need surgery. That is the hope going forward, that he will not have to endure another surgery.”
How does Ben Simmons have ANY trade value at this point? That’s not even trying to be funny….I’m serious. I just don’t get it.
The only value is for a tanking team looking to clear the salary floor…
Otherwise there are no GMs crazy enough…
Mark Cuban: Hold my beer.
Yeah sounds like a bunch of fantasy BS, about the Nets off season.
To match Lillards salary. Not because Portland would actually want Simmons.
Same story every year. Dame isn’t going anywhere. And the Nets don’t have enough picks to acquire him if they’re also trying to unload Simmons in the deal. Non story but I’m sure we’ll hear about it every few weeks all offseason.
It’s no different than the Dame to LA thing that gets kicked around every few months…
“We know it’s impossible, but here’s this LA/NY writers dreams.”
I don’t think it has to do with “LA/NY writers dreams”
It has to do with clicks. As long as people read the stories and comment on them, they will continue.
Difference this season is Lillard actually said get better, or trade me.
He has never done that before, so I’d say this years rumors have smoke, and shouldn’t be dismissed as easily.
Biggest factor is can, or will the Blazers invest in an attempt to get better, or rebuild?
Gonna cost 3 picks minimum to trade Lillard for Simmons. Possible if Portland does the logical thing in their position.
They have more then enough picks to make the trade
Trae, Siakam, OG, Beal, LaVine, DeRozan – all likely to be available if the price is right.
Dame isn’t going anywhere.
If the plan is to compete now, versus trying to strike gold with late round 1st, they should deal the picks they received and land one of the aforementioned. Each one has issues – injury/shooting/age.
Several executives? Meaning Stein found one or two? I’m not privy, and even I know BKN isn’t looking to be at the forefront of the trade market. If they trade from their “glut” of wings, it will likely be from the bottom of the deck. I doubt they’ll make any move involving a starter that they don’t feel is an immediate upgrade at the position in question. As far as Lillard, no. Marks is a bit eclectic, not insane.
Nets gonna match any offer for Johnson? Ok yeah we’ll see about that.
Go ahead and pay that luxury tax for another first rd bounce Tsai. No one is taking the Net crum of their hands Harris, Finney Smith, Simmons etc.
I think the Nets did well with the assets they received in the KI KD trades. Drafting well is key. They have made good picks in Claxton, thomas and possibly sharpe.
Why would the Nets want Lillard? Hes too old now and can’t play defense, no thanks. I’d rather have Trae Young over him. Trae may not be as good of a shooter as Dame and the passing may be a bit lacking but he can only go up from here. Dame’s injuries are piling up