The Brooklyn Nets tank and rebuild could be a short one

The Brooklyn Nets have quite a bit of flexibility going into 2025 and beyond with the current state of the team. There is some thought that they could begin to retool as early as 2026 with a ton of cap space and a treasure trove of draft picks. The Locked on Nets talk about the current roster and how trading Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith is possibly out the door sooner rather than later . They also discuss the overall haul for Kevin Durant and how the next couple of seasons could look.
Get a Free Nets eBook, with stories from the franchise
www.wegotnets.com
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-nets/
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA
📲 Follow Locked On Nets on Socials
Locked On Nets LockedOnNets
Adam Armbrecht AdamArmbrecht
Doug Norrie DougNorrie
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Jase Medical
Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase.
FanDuel
This episode is brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, Official Sportsbook of Locked On. Right now, NEW customers can bet FIVE DOLLARS and get TWO HUNDRED in BONUS BETS - GUARANTEED. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

[@kylethompson1947]

They're saying nets fans need to be patient. Honestly we've been nothing but patient since 03 our last finals appearance.

[@paytonthompson8659]

Unfortunately the fans have been patient but the front office hasn’t.

[@pinbarbecue1100]

NETS DIDN'T WIN A DIVISION TITLE SINCE 07!! SINK THAT IN

[@jonathanoscategui2678]

Honestly though if Brooklyn has the strong potential to draft Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey next season and try to utilize $60-$80 million in cap space to add solid pieces around one of them that's a bold and very interesting strategy 😮.....

[@LOSMANIAC82]

This rebuild plan is garbage 🗑.. Rookies don't always work out when they get drafted, and the luck for the picks don't always fall in your favor... I say steal some healthy vets from other teams, and let's go to the playoffs, baby. 😤 but whatever... For most rookies, it can take extra time to develop and most flop or get traded.. I don't know, let's see what happens... but like I said, we need a healthy big man veteran...

[@TheCaesarMania]

@@LOSMANIAC82dude would rather build around Ben Simmons lololol

[@jonathanoscategui2678]

At this point if Brooklyn is looking to add pieces for next season trading Ben Simmons for Lonzo Ball isn't looking like a crazy bad trade. The Bulls are getting essentially no draft capital back for breaking up their main core and taking on Ben Simmons expiring $40 million could give them considerable cap space in a year... Meanwhile Brooklyn takes a low risk flyer on Lonzo to see if he can truly get back into playing at the NBA level especially given his rehab videos are showing him getting back into the swing of things. Seeing a potential Lonzo and Cam Thomas duo could give Brooklyn a fun combo going into next year's draft to add either Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey 🔥.... Cooper Flagg/Ace Bailey Lonzo Ball Cam Thomas Nic Claxton and Noah Clowney 😮🔥..... Thoughts?

[@orenspiegel2162]

Lonzo is donzo

[@lbl4life14real]

I wouldn’t risk Lonzo. He’s gotta play at least a season healthy first.

[@UsernameTaken_DM]

The plus side : he's good, gets us to 35-45 wins and we get a pick between 11 - 15. The negative side : he's injured and/or plays like a dud and we're stuck with 20+ mil for 2025, 26 & 27. Doesn't make sense to me. In my opinion, if we're gonna tank, we need to tank and not look to fill holes now until we're sure who we can build around in the 2025 draft. What if we got Lonzo, he fell off and we got pick 3 where all we could pick up was Harper? I'd want Harper to play immediately.

[@jonathanoscategui2678]

​@@UsernameTaken_DM Good points on the pros and cons. But also due to the time Lonzo missed his contract doesn't impact Brooklyn's cap space and is essentially a free contract and Brooklyn could choose to let him show if he can return to play at a decent level or if not they buy out his contract. More to potentially gain from this deal while also getting rid of Ben Simmons unnecessary contract.....

[@UsernameTaken_DM]

@@jonathanoscategui2678 soz, you're right. I read the contract years wrong. Fairs, we'd only have him a year. But is he better, or potentially better, than Simmons. I like the idea of him for sure. Just worried we end up with too many wins. But hey-ho... Season hasn't even started yet. Haha. ☺️

[@OUTRAGEOUSCLIPS365]

The center joining Duke looks to be a force. If nets don't get ace or flagg. Khaman Maluach is my 3rd option at the moment. Impressive big man with star/superstar potential

[@Mr.Drummond]

They do have a star, Cam Thomas watch out. He deserves his credit. In terms of a superstar there are only a few of them in the league.

[@pimpnamedslickback7780]

While we might rebuild faster I dont think anyone knows the answer to that including sean marks himself. I think it's other people in the NBA just guessing basing off the nets past history. I think there is some reality where it could happen but at the same time Im not sold on them rushing things. Marks already has pressure off his back and will do what's right long term. I think the goal is 2026/27 to make the playoffs rather than 25/26. I think patience is key nets fans

[@samueldeblaw9677]

Great pod guys..been away for a few days marking my territory over on lock on Suns. Lol. A 2 year rebuild is very very hard thing to do regardless of amount of draft picks. example Houston has drafted well over the last 4 years. we have had a top 4 pick in each of these drafts and another 1st rounder in top 20 except this year. yet it has taken us 4 years to get back into playoff conversation. I get it Brooklyn plays in the east, but young players need time to develope. they are not like lego pieces. Detroit has been near the top of the draft longer than Houston, yet they still have little to show for it. Yes Brooklyn has more drawing power than Utah or Detroit, but what stars are available and who you are competing against for said star plays a hugh role also. Brooklyn has finally chosen the right path, but believing it's an easy one or a fast one is premature

[@jso416]

Cam Thomas is going to have a monster season. If Ben can stay healthy the Nets will be a fun team to watch. They still have some talent with Cam Thomas, Nick Claxton, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Cam Johnson . If Ben Simmons wants to continue playing in the NBA, he’s going to have to stay on court and play at a high level.

[@AX1A]

That's been our song's refrain. By now, however, most of the chorus has left the building. And for Ben, even the crickets have left

[@clashbandicoot793]

Great stuff as always. Truly the best in the biz. "Beat it history nerds" hahahahahha Doug you crack me up

[@jaejae5625]

I've been telling my friends that the rebuild will be shorter than most people expect. 4 frp's and almost 100 M's to spend next year???!!!! I get Rome wasn't build in a day but it surely didn't take a million years. The Nets' Golden Generation is surely coming sooner than later and I'm confident we will be back competing for a title before the turn of the decade.

[@nafisstewart8306]

It’s perfect for nets they have cap space key players picks I love it

[@DAVAND23]

I think the Nets should try to get two lottery picks next year. I don't think they should use all 6 picks and packaging a few together to move back up into the lottery

[@michaelcammarata1677]

Drafting an ace with our lottery pick next year is the key to unlocking a shorter rebuild. I agree with your 26/27 time frame for play in or above as a reasonable goal. I also agree with Doug on keeping our late round 1 picks next year and drafting.

[@AX1A]

#zero patience for anything let alone pro sports orgs with incomprehensible salaries & attitudes. I mean where's management to assuage the multi-year shyte show we've held thru? if management can't be bothered why shouldwe?

[@UsernameTaken_DM]

Anyone crying about 'Look at the Pistons, etc'... We've been 'tanking' for a week. I don't care if we sign former No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett and play him at PG if it means we get a top 3 pick. I know we have 4 picks in 2025, but realistically it's one top 10 and three 20-30 picks. We don't need to fill gaps now, heck play Adam & Doug some minutes each night and ensure the negative win column and get as many 2025/2026 picks as possible. Get rid of CJ, DFS, Shroder, Sharpe, Simmons... Picks, picks, picks. I already think CT, Clowney and Clax are too strong for only 20 wins. Bring in vets on crutches with expiring contracts!! 😂

[@Blackfire-yo6zn]

Rebuilds can go quick or can take a long time, really it's out of your control. If the Nets get a top draft pick for 2025, that player will come into the Nba as a rookie, it's not like tank for a year and we are good. Might be 3 years of tanking. Then after that maybe start competing for a playin spot. Rebuilds take time maybe 5 to 6 to get to the play off's and 8 year to the team to reach its peak and compete for a championship. Best case for a rebuild is something like okc and worst case would the piston.

[@yourbestbet3485]

For the sake of all 15 Nets fans, I hope the rebuild is fast.

[@felixhafenbradl1213]

More follower than your franchise ☺️

[@jaymanjay3.0]

Honestly, I don’t see next years free agency class being that much better realistically. Maybe 2026 that’s when Luka Donic and other young stars may hit the market. Next Offseason you’re looking at a bunch of guys who a good but not needle movers. Mitchell already signed after that the best player realistically hitting the open market is Lauri Markannan who I love as player but are we giving Lauri a max contract? How about Sangun? Everyone wants a rebuild to end quickly but you have to have to free agents who fit the bill. Follow the Boston recipe. Draft and develop your own stars over the next two seasons and let them show out then attack a guy like Luka still in his prime.

[@pimpnamedslickback7780]

Also this idea that the nets should be entertaining disgruntled stars again this soon to me is ridiculous. I have zero interest in trading for a star and zero interest in signing someone who is known as a malcontent. We are not desperate to find an elite talent that's what the draft is for. Sign vets similar to the derrick whites, jrue holiday types who fit into a culture

[@alex77195]

dont get too antsy yall still owe the rockets a top 5 pick in 2027

[@infoguy1978]

we don't owe the rockets a top 5. I think they just get a pick swap from us. I think. we might be good by 2027

[@alex77195]

@@infoguy1978 yea was talking about that pick swap. Probably a 8-14 pick. After 2 years of tanking it’s gonna be tough to compete because you’ll have a bunch of 3rd year & 2nd year players still developing. I’ll root for y’all make the finals in 2028 though

[@jonathanoscategui2678]

Again 😂 I ask can you really trust Sean Marks and give him praise when he's already looking to contend again in 2025 while potentially drafting a number one or two draft prospect in Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey 😮???....

[@orenspiegel2162]

hashtag trust issues

[@jeanclaudemocombe791]

​@@orenspiegel2162Jonathan had been the most optimistic and trusting Nets fan on Locked On Nets. Lately, he has become less trusting of Marks-and for good reason.

[@jonathanoscategui2678]

​@@jeanclaudemocombe791 Great reason bro. I've led a logical sound important campaign on the BKNY HOOPS show to strongly advocate for a new GM..... Already Marks wants to jump back into contention quickly after drafting Cooper or Ace and spend $60-$80 million in cap space 😮! But if he rushes it and gets players that don't compliment the potential prospects and blow the most draft capital in the Eastern Conference Brooklyn could truly be at rock bottom aka purgatory for the next decade 😨..... We need a new GM pronto 😅....

[@jeanclaudemocombe791]

@jonathanoscategui2678 💯

[@jarryd-leekock6611]

Broooooklyyyyn!

[@danielgoodridge3092]

Cam Thomas is a good player on a bad team. He is verybone dinensional for now. I do think he can be a good pro. Not great. He needs to develope and get more time. But the shot selection, decisoj making needs to be shown. This is his team. The 2028-29 year is gonna be a break out year for US.

[@stifflersmom4490]

I find it way more exciting to have a young team with alot of draft capital. Superteams are a thing of the past and honestly wasnt that entertaining to me

[@EdwardCaffrey22]

just go out there and forfeit every game. This year will make the year before Marks and Kenny Atkinson were hired a fond memory. Damn It, please do not make it obvious. Posting before listening.

[@chirocket4791]

Could be, might be........ Copium.

[@mayhemcbs]

HOPEFULLY THEY FIRE MARKS OR IT WILL BE ANOTHER WINLESS DECADE

[@jaymanjay3.0]

I’m on team Ace Bailey over Flagg. I know Flagg has all the hype BUT teams that pass on an offensive powerhouse like Ace in favor of a guy whose elite potential is more defensive tend to look back regretting the decision. Portland passed on KD. Pistons passed on Melo. To me you take the sure fire offensive talent. I see Flagg as a high level glue guy like AK47 but ACe I see top 10 super star.