The pivotal first summer of the Brooklyn Nets’ rebuild is here, with a lot of players’ futures up in the air.
The Brooklyn Nets begin their full rebuild in earnest this season. After trading away the likes of Mikal Bridges, Dennis Schroder, and Dorian Finney-Smith last season, they have acquired a wealth of assets.
The Nets did not have the luck in the NBA Draft Lottery, falling to the 8th pick in the draft despite committing to tanking.
However, under new head coach Jordi Fernandez, the team has shown flashes of a new culture emerging. And this summer is crucial to building on that foundation.
The Nets have a league-high 12 players entering free agency this summer. And with their projected $50-$60 million salary cap space, which players will go and which players will return?
2024-25 Stats: 24.0 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds
Status: Restricted Free Agent
Prediction: Re-signed to a team-friendly deal
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2024-25 Stats: 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists
Status: Restricted Free Agent
Prediction: Re-signed using the Mid-Level Exception
2024-25 Stats: 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists
Status: Restricted Free Agent
Prediction: Re-signed after renouncing rights to a team-friendly deal
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2024-25 Stats: N/A
Status: Restricted Free Agent (Two-Way Contract)
Prediction: Will not return to Brooklyn Nets, presumably G-League return
2024-25 Stats (with Brooklyn Nets): 12.9 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.8 rebounds
Status: Unrestricted Free Agent
Prediction: Will return either on veteran minimum or a bloated 1-year deal to meet cap requirements
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2024-24 Stats: 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists
Status: Unrestricted Free Agent (Bird Rights)
Prediction: Nets target wing replacement in 2025 NBA Draft, Watford doesn’t return
2024-25 Stats: 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists
Status: Unrestricted Free Agent
Prediction: Will sign with another team, not return to Brooklyn
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2024-25 Stats: 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists
Status: Team Option – $2.3 million
Prediction: Nets activate Team Option
2024-25 Stats: 9.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists
Status: Team Option – $2.2 million
Prediction: Nets bring Wilson back, presumably for depth
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2024-25 Stats: 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists
Status: Team Option – $2.2 million
Prediction: Nets accept Team Option for depth
2024-25 Stats: 12.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists
Status: Team Option – $2 million
Prediction: Nets accept Team Option
