The Brooklyn Nets are coming off an offseason full of big decisions, and it feels like they’ve reached a turning point. The surprising trade of Mikal Bridges—who was expected to be the foundation of their rebuild—caught everyone off guard. After that move, it’s clear the Nets are rethinking their future. With no clear path to being contenders anytime soon, they might need to take a bold step: go all-in for Cooper Flagg, the most talked-about prospect in years.
Flagg has the potential to completely transform a franchise, and if the Nets want to secure him in the 2025 NBA Draft, they’ll have to tank all season long. That could mean trading away their veterans, piling up draft picks, and fully committing to a rebuild. Here’s how the Nets can position themselves for a shot at landing their next superstar.
1. A Great Return For Their Most Wanted Player
Lakers receive: Cam Johnson
Nets receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2029 First-Round Pick
There was a lot of buzz around the Lakers going after Cam Johnson in the offseason, and honestly, it makes a lot of sense. The Lakers are focused on improving their shooting, especially after bringing in JJ Redick as head coach, and Johnson is exactly the kind of player they need. He’s a legit 3-and-D guy, and his shooting would fit perfectly next to LeBron and AD. Last season, he averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and shot 39.1% from three, which is solid. Plus, he’s got experience playing with stars like Devin Booker and Chris Paul, so sliding into the Lakers’ lineup would feel pretty natural for him.
Adding Johnson could be a game-changer for the Lakers. His ability to stretch the floor would give LeBron and Davis more room to operate inside, and his defense would help on the other end of the court. Remember, the Lakers were ranked 24th in the league for three-pointers made last season, so Johnson could seriously boost that. And when he was with the Suns, he shot an even more impressive 42.5% from deep in 2021-22, showing that when he’s got the right team around him, he can be one of the league’s top shooters.
From the Nets’ side, moving Johnson could be a big part of their plan to rebuild. After trading Mikal Bridges to the Knicks, it seems like they’re open to getting future assets. Johnson is in the second year of a four-year, $94.5 million contract, so his value is high, but not out of reach for the Lakers if they’re willing to throw in young players and picks. The Nets are likely playing the long game here, especially with the possibility of going after top prospects like Cooper Flagg.
The Nets could secure an incredibly valuable pick in 2029, while also adding Hood-Schifino as a potential franchise point guard down the road. And joining him would be Jarred Vanderbilt, who’s still young and could become a rotational piece and defender as they build for the future.
2. The Heat Should Swoop In For A Top Shooter
Heat receive: Bojan Bogdanovic
Nets receive: Duncan Robinson, 2026 Second-Round Pick, 3031 Second-Round Pick
The Heat have been pretty quiet this offseason, and after falling short in their playoff run, it’s clear they need to make a move to stay competitive. While there are no concrete reports that the Heat are actively pursuing Bojan Bogdanovic, bringing him in would make a lot of sense. Adding a scorer like Bogdanovic could help the Heat shake things up and give Jimmy Butler the support he needs, especially as the team looks to improve after an underwhelming offseason.
Duncan Robinson is one of the league’s top shooters, but his inconsistent performances and defensive limitations have left the Heat in a tricky spot. Bojan Bogdanovic, on the other hand, offers a more balanced package. He averaged 15.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and shot 39.8% from three in the 2023-24 season. While he’s not known for elite defense, Bogdanovic is a clear upgrade over Robinson in that department, and his ability to create his own shot would give the Heat another reliable scorer.
For the Heat, this trade isn’t just about this season—it’s also about the long-term future. Bogdanovic’s expiring contract would free up cap space next summer, giving the Heat flexibility to make other moves. Jimmy Butler could potentially enter free agency, and the Heat will need to show that they are serious about staying competitive to convince Butler to stick around. By adding Bogdanovic now, the Heat would have a better chance of making a deep playoff run and showing Butler that they’re committed to winning.
The Nets, meanwhile, would benefit from this deal by gaining two future draft picks and acquiring a player like Robinson, who could still thrive in a new system. While Robinson’s shooting fell off a bit in recent seasons, he remains an elite perimeter shooter who could bounce back in a different role with the Nets. This trade would help the Nets continue to stockpile assets and stay flexible for future moves.
3. A Smart Move For The Kings
Kings receive: Dennis Schroder
Nets receive: Trey Lyles, Jalen McDaniels, 2026 Second-Round Pick
The Sacramento Kings are in desperate need of a backup point guard after trading Davion Mitchell to the Raptors in the offseason, as part of a deal to acquire DeMar DeRozan. With Mitchell gone, the Kings lack a reliable ball handler to lead their second unit, and this is where Dennis Schroder comes in. Schroder, who averaged 14.0 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game during the 2023-24 season, is a solid option to fill that role.
Schroder brings much-needed experience and defense to the Kings, a team known more for their high-powered offense but still in need of defensive depth. His quickness on the perimeter and ability to disrupt opposing guards would be crucial in helping balance their offense-first lineup, which includes De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Schroder also excels at pushing the tempo and making plays in transition, perfectly complementing the Kings’ fast-paced style of play.
Moreover, this deal makes sense because Schroder would slot right into the backup point guard spot and provide instant leadership for the second unit. The Kings have been active this offseason, and securing Schroder would further solidify their rotation as they aim to make another deep playoff run. The Kings’ defense was a concern last season, and adding a veteran defender like Schroder would help address those gaps.
On the Nets’ side, they would gain Trey Lyles, a versatile forward who has shown flashes of scoring and rebounding ability, as well as Jalen McDaniels, a young wing with upside. Both could fit into the Nets’ rebuilding strategy, while the future second-round pick adds another asset to their long-term plans. This trade could be a win for both teams as they pursue different objectives this season.
This Would Be The Smart Plan For The Nets
Nets Trade: Cam Johnson, Bojan Bogdanovic, Dennis Schroder
Nets Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Trey Lyles, Jalen McDaniels, 2029 First-Round Pick (Lakers), 2026 Second-Round Pick (Heat), 3031 Second-Round Pick (Heat), 2026 Second-Round Pick (Kings)
The Nets are clearly thinking long-term with these moves, shipping out three solid veterans—Cam Johnson, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Dennis Schroder—and bringing in a mix of young talent and valuable future picks. In return, they get players like Vanderbilt, who’s a defensive beast, Gabe Vincent, who brings that playoff toughness, and Jalen Hood-Schifino, a young guard with potential. Trey Lyles and Jalen McDaniels add versatility and depth to round out the roster.
The real win, though, is the three draft picks, especially the first-rounder from the Lakers in 2029. This sets the Nets up perfectly for the future, giving them the flexibility to either go for top prospects in the draft or use these assets to pull off bigger trades down the line. With this smart rebuild strategy, the Nets are keeping their options open while building a solid foundation for years to come.
Looking ahead, the Nets’ recent moves may very well be setting them up for a shot at one of the biggest names in the 2025 NBA Draft: Cooper Flagg. Flagg is already generating buzz as a potential franchise-altering player, widely regarded as one of the most promising prospects in years. Standing at 6’9″ with incredible versatility, defense, and scoring ability, Flagg has scouts labeling him as a future All-Star. The Nets, by gathering future draft picks and positioning themselves with young talent, are clearly aligning their rebuild strategy with the hope of landing a player like Flagg.
The 2025 draft class isn’t just about Flagg either; it’s projected to be one of the deepest in recent memory. Alongside Flagg, other high-potential prospects such as A.J. Dybantsa and others are expected to be in the mix, making it a prime opportunity for teams like the Nets, who are stockpiling assets. With their current strategy, the Nets could either land one of these top picks through their own positioning or use their newly acquired picks to move up in the draft. By focusing on the 2025 class, the Nets are aiming to secure the cornerstone piece they need to build a competitive team for the next decade.
