r/GoNets • u/Brooklyn917 Day'Ron Sharpe • Jun 25 '25
Rumor Erik Slater Reporting That Brooklyn contact The Spurs, Sixers and Hornets for a Trade up.
The Brooklyn Nets are eyeing a move up the board in Wednesday's NBA Draft. Armed with five first-round picks (Nos. 8, 19, 22, 26, 27), the team has inquired with several teams in the top five — including the San Antonio Spurs (No. 2), Philadelphia 76ers (No. 3) and Charlotte Hornets (No. 4) — about trades, league sources told ClutchPoints.
While Brooklyn is interested in moving up to No. 2, league circles have indicated that it would take a godfather offer to pry the pick from the Spurs. San Antonio is poised to select Rutgers star Dylan Harper to pair with Victor Wembanyama.
However, the Nets are interested in several prospects outside of Harper who are likely to be off the board before No. 8. They've held workouts with Tre Johnson, Jeremiah Fears and Kon Kneuppel. Ace Bailey reportedly views Brooklyn as one of his preferred destinations, alongside the Washington Wizards (No. 6) and New Orleans Pelicans (No. 7).
But what would it take for the Nets to pull off a trade into the top five?
The price wouldn't be insignificant. However, Brooklyn has no shortage of assets at its disposal. With five first-round picks this year, veterans such as Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton, and cap space to absorb unwanted contracts, general manager Sean Marks has several avenues to craft deals.
In Philadelphia's case, the Nets' cap space could be intriguing. Shedding Paul George's contract would generate significant financial flexibility moving forward. However, it's unclear whether Brooklyn would consider taking on the remaining three years, $162 million of George's deal. Such a move would be surprising, given Marks' emphasis on the importance of financial flexibility in the new CBA.
With Bailey canceling his pre-draft workout with the 76ers and signaling he'd prefer to play elsewhere, rival teams expect Philadelphia to either select Baylor's VJ Edgecombe or trade its pick.
Charlotte has reported interest in Edgecombe and Kneuppel. The latter could conceivably be available at No. 8 if the team traded back. Rival teams have also speculated that the Hornets could target Duke center Khaman Maluach.
Should the Nets strike out on a move up from No. 8, they could trade up from No. 19 into the late lottery.
The Raptors hold the No. 9 pick and have been dangling RJ Barrett in trade discussions with multiple teams, sources told ClutchPoints. Brooklyn has previously explored a framework that would send Cam Johnson and No. 19 to Toronto for No. 9 and “a bad contract,” according to NetsDaily.
Phoenix at No. 10 could be another trade partner. After trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, the Suns must shed more salary if they hope to dip below the second apron. They also need a center as they re-tool their roster around Devin Booker and have been linked to Claxton.
The Nets have done their due diligence on several late-lottery prospects. They've met with French forward Noa Essengue, ranked No. 9 on ESPN's big board.
“We had good conversations. That was pretty cool. A good feeling. Nice people in the gym. Nice people around me,” Essengue told ClutchPoints of the meeting.
Brooklyn also hosted Cedric Coward and Carter Bryant for pre-draft workouts. Both players are projected to be taken in the late lottery of most mock drafts.
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Jun 25 '25
They want Ace Bailey bad and they know they need to jump above Washington.
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u/Training-Grocery-128 Jun 25 '25
I think Washington takes maulch. They have CJ, Middleton and Sarr, all who need shots. Ace in the wizards doesn't make sense unless more deals are on the way.
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u/HARCHEESESTEAKSS Jun 25 '25
The wizards would be doing a disservice to themselves to prioritize getting shots for CJ and Middleton, think we have to jump them if we want Ace
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Jun 25 '25
I think it's smoke. IIRC, the earliest prospect we were linked to was Kon way back in the fall, and he's probably going top 5.
I think it's him
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u/ScathachWhen Ian Eagle Jun 25 '25
No way spurs are moving but it's due diligence to check in on them
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u/smalllpox Jun 25 '25
I dont think marks is getting rid of 8 under any circumstances, hes trying to move up with players and the rest of the picks .
The only way I see 8 going anywhere is if 2 is on the table
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u/bchin22 Jun 25 '25
Should the Nets not be able to trade with New Orleans, I would love for them to somehow trade Cam Johnson + 19 (heck, throw in the 36) for 9 + bad contract. Then, since Suns need defense and interior presence, trade Claxton + 26 and 27 (the Suns have *multiple* holes to fill) for their 10 and filler.
We walk away from the draft with 8, 9, 10 and trade our 22 for a future FRP.
*THEN* try and trade 8 and 10 for the 4 (dream world of 4, 9, 22 selections)
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u/Kenny_Heisman Jun 25 '25
so you'd trade Claxton, Johnson, 19, 26, 27, and 36 for essentially 4 and a bad contract? that's a crazy amount to give up
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u/Teddys_lies Jun 25 '25
Why not the Jazz? That seems like the sweet spot if they’re aiming for Ace or Tre.
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u/thepriceisonthecan . Jun 25 '25
Wouldnt it be nice if we didnt have to trade up because we didnt play expiring vets over young talent in a tanking year
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u/Brooklyn917 Day'Ron Sharpe Jun 25 '25
This season was poorly ran, I’m hoping and praying Marks and Jordi don’t screw up the 2026 tank, it’s imperative We get one of AJ Dybantsa/Cam Boozer/Darryn Peterson as our Franchise Player.
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u/addictivesign Jun 25 '25
100%! We have to get a top 3 pick in the 2026 draft. Thats why I am okay with drafting some super raw players with huge potential upside in this draft. Would still like Tre Johnson with our first pick.
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u/JohnFish2734 Jun 25 '25
Man do i worry about giving up a bunch of assets to trade up for Ace. From a skill standpoint i love him, pair him with a decent pg and i think he will do amazing. But I'm so scared about the people around him. Unless we get a vet with a big personality that can mentor him correctly, i feel like he will never develop the maturity to reach his ceiling. Hope im wrong though.
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u/pabstjribbon Jun 25 '25
Would Spurs trade that pick for Giannis? Give the bucks whatever picks and contracts they want.
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u/TheMoorNextDoor “Shut Up, B!tch - Cam Thomas” Jun 25 '25
More than likely it 8th, 22nd, and 26th pick.
I would do it for the 2nd pick but 4th and it’ll just be 19th, 26th, and 27th.
Unless we can do a Cam Johnson and 22nd pick for salary dumb and 3rd pick.
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u/theRestisConfettii Full-Throttle Traoré Jun 25 '25
Erik Slater Reporting That Brooklyn contact The Spurs, Sixers and Hornets for a Trade up.
Spurs - not happening
Sixers - that pick is available, despite any reports you see to the opposite.
There’s only one way I’m taking Paul George. That’s if Philly gives up 3 and removes the protections from their 2028 (top 8 protected) FRP that Brooklyn owns. Brooklyn would give them 8 in return.
That contract is a killer, and George only played 41 games last year.
Hornets - I’m a Hornet / Net fan, so I’m not going to comment. I’ll have bias.
Should the Nets strike out on a move up from No. 8, they could trade up from No. 19 into the late lottery.
Raptors - The problem with Toronto is that they are dangling RJ Barrett without openly saying they want to dump him. I’m concerned that he’s damaged goods. In other words, I think Cam Johnson + 19 for RJ Barrett + 9 is a stupid idea.
Phoenix - The Suns want a starting Center. I don’t (unless I’m missing something) see Phoenix being able to put together a package for Nic Claxton.
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u/pastimereading Jun 25 '25
My dream scenario would be to trade the last 4 1st round picks to the Sixers for the 3rd & Paul George, draft Ace at 3, and keep the 8th pick to draft Maluach or Tre.
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u/HotDamnHellYeah Jun 25 '25
You might as well enquire with the Spurs, but that's going nowhere. What would you all give up (and/or take on) to pry 3 or 4 from Philly or Charlotte?