The Brooklyn Nets head into Thursday’s NBA Draft with three selections. That includes the 21st and 22nd picks in the first round. Brooklyn also boasts a late second-round pick (51st overall).
Regardless of the direction Brooklyn goes in this summer, it is highly unlikely going to use all three selections.
Brian Lewis of the NY Post noted recently that the Nets are “extremely active” in shopping picks ahead of the draft Thursday night.
They could be looking to move the two first-round selections for a higher pick Thursday night. There’s also a chance that the Nets look to package these picks with either Royce O’Neale or Dorian Finney-Smith for another core veteran.
There are several teams selecting ahead of Brooklyn in the draft that have discussed trade-down scenarios. That includes the Dallas Mavericks at 10 and Utah Jazz with the second of their two first-round picks (16th overall).
Related: Brooklyn Nets 2023 NBA Draft preview
Given that the players Brooklyn have worked out leading up to the draft will likely be available with their two first-round picks, this could suggest a trade for a proven commodity.
The Brooklyn Nets have been linked to a few big-name players; Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard included. It doesn’t seem as if anything will happen on that front during the NBA Draft.
What we do know is that the Nets have several decisions to make this summer. They earned a surprise playoff appearance after trading away Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving at the in-season NBA trade deadline.
Acquired from the Phoenix Suns in that Durant blockbuster, Mikal Bridges spearheaded the playoff run. Fellow former Suns player Cameron Johnson played a major role, too. With Bridges off the trade block and Johnson set to become a restricted free agent, the Nets could opt to build around those two. There’s also a chance that they use these draft assets to add even more to the core group.