June 25, 2025, will be a day when most fans are glued to their TV screens to watch the 2025 NBA Draft. One team that could use some fresh talent is the Brooklyn Nets. Since Kevin Durant and other top players left, it’s been a tough time for the franchise. They’re looking to claw their way back into the playoffs and reestablish their identity.
At first, the Nets tried to build a championship team by signing stars. But when those stars moved on, the team shifted gears. They picked up a treasure trove of draft picks in a four-team trade that involved the Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, and Indiana Pacers.
Now, a player from that trade might be on the move as the Nets prepare for Plan B heading into the 2025-26 season.
Could the Nets Trade Cameron Johnson?
In that big trade, the Nets received Cameron Johnson, Mikal Bridges, and seven draft picks to help them build for the future. Despite these moves, the team has finished 11th and 12th in the Eastern Conference the last two years. Johnson hasn’t been able to elevate the team the way they hoped, and the Nets have struggled to find consistency.
With the NBA Draft set to take place in late June, reports say the team is open to moving Johnson and some of their draft picks to land a second lottery pick. It seems like an urgent move for head coach Jordi Fernandez, who wants to kickstart a true rebuild.
“There is a sentiment around the league the Nets could look to land a second lottery pick by consolidating and packaging some combination of Johnson, those picks at the end of the first round and/or future draft capital,” wrote Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
The Brooklyn Nets could reportedly look to package Cam Johnson in a trade to acquire a second lottery pick, per @NYPost_Lewis
“There is a sentiment around the league the Nets could look to land a second lottery pick by consolidating and packaging some combination of Johnson,… pic.twitter.com/5KROUuhRk1
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 27, 2025
The Nets are in a strong position with draft picks. Besides the No. 8 pick in the first round, they also own the 19th, 26th, and 27th picks in this year’s draft. If they manage to work out a deal, they still have future first-rounders in 2027, 2028, and 2029. This gives them a lot of options to rebuild a team that can surprise people in the future.
The team’s average age is 25.1, and moving Johnson could free up more cap space. Johnson has two years left on a four-year, $94.5 million deal, so moving him would give the Nets some breathing room and more flexibility.
Potential for Another Big Move
Another factor to keep in mind is D’Angelo Russell’s status. He will become an unrestricted free agent after next season. This could open the door for the Nets to sign a new star or bring in more young talent through trades or free agency.
This time around, the Nets seem to be taking a different approach. Instead of chasing star power like before, they’re focusing on developing young players and letting them grow together. This approach has worked for teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, who turned their young core into one of the best in the league.
Draft Day will be a crucial day for the Nets. After two seasons without a playoff appearance, the franchise wants to use its draft picks wisely and build a team that can compete in the years to come.
The goal is clear. The Nets want to collect all their pieces, much like the Thunder did, and build a team that can bring an NBA title back to Brooklyn. Fans can be excited knowing the team has a clear plan and the flexibility to make it happen.
It won’t be easy, but the foundation is there. With smart moves in the draft and the right balance of veterans and young players, the Nets have the chance to build a team that can go deep into the playoffs and bring pride back to Barclays Center.
I wish loyalty counted – the Nets have players that want to play and more importantly want to play for them. That needs to count for something. I do believe, if healthy, this team is capable of making the playoffs. They probably need some better pieces to contend beyond that but they have draft picks to build with.
Trading important pieces of the team can impact that loyalty and chemistry. We have seen this several times in the past when the Nets have thrown out their team to pick up aging players that are great individually but either past their prime or do not understand what loyalty and team work mean.