30 Teams in 30 Days: Nets show promise for a successful rebuild

The previous season

Re-signing: Nic Claxton, Keon Johnson, Trendon WatfordAdditions: Coach Jordi Fernandez, Bojan Bogdanovic (trade), Killian Hayes (free agent), Shake Milton (trade), Ziaire Williams (trade)Draft: Departures: Keita Bates-Diop (to Knicks), Mikal Bridges (to Knicks), Lonnie Walker IV (to Celtics)Unsigned free agents: Jacob Gilyard, Dennis Smith Jr.

The Nets went from .500 at Christmas to falling 10 games under weeks later, which made 2023-24 a wrap. A 32-50 season translated into the Draft lottery — but their pick belonged to the Rockets from the ill-fated James Harden trade in 2021.

Cam Thomas averaged 22.5 points per game and Bridges was the No. 2 scorer (19.6 ppg) and a reliable passer (3.6 apg), and that was the extent of their limited above-average producing players. For a team that once boasted Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, this represented a comedown — the Nets were starved for a star.

Summer summary

Bridges was solid on both ends and a valuable piece from the Durant trade in 2023, but the Nets were going nowhere fast with him. They did the smart thing by waiting until his value soared and until another team desperately wanted him. That combo fetched a haul from the Knicks in July: Four unprotected firsts, a Milwaukee Bucks’ protected first and an unprotected swap.

That could be equal to or better than what they received for Durant.

They took back no salary beyond next season and should have massive spending flexibility in the summer of 2025. Plus, they regained control of their 2025 and 2026 firsts in a deal with Houston.

Spotlight on

Who else? Ben Simmons once again is the biggest question mark. Even if his back issues are behind him, and this being the final year of an albatross of a contract, it’s unlikely he’ll fetch much if anything in a trade. But eventually, he’ll be a symbol of the past for this franchise, which took swings for the fences and whiffed. Brooklyn’s business is now about gradual rebuilding, and the Nets planted those seeds this summer.

How far can the Nets go?

By shipping their best player and most valuable asset, the Nets used the summer of 2024 to essentially punt away the upcoming season, which will be painful. In a perfect world, they’ll be positioned high in the 2025 draft, which projects to be rich with game-changers. They could also use their ample salary cap room wisely next summer.

That’s not to suggest this season will be a total erasure under first-year coach Fernandez. Claxton, who signed a reported four-year, $100 million extension, is positioned to take another step. That also seems true for the Cams (Johnson and Thomas), who’ll get more touches. But any dreams of making the postseason are just that.

Up next: Toronto Raptors | Previously: Philadelphia 76ers

30 Teams in 30 Days: Complete schedule

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

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