Last season, they attempted to compete for the postseason with Mikal Bridges leading the team, but ultimately decided it was time for a reset. Bridges was traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for a significant number of draft picks.
The current team consists mainly of young talent, supplemented by a few veteran players for locker room presence and mentorship. As the 2024-25 season approaches, how will their depth chart shape up?
Though the offseason isn’t over yet, it’s likely that two Nets players will be traded before the season starts.
**Potential Trades: Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith**
Multiple playoff teams have shown interest in Johnson and Finney-Smith since Bridges was traded. The expectation is that these two will be moved for additional draft capital, young players, or both. While there’s no guarantee, the likelihood of these veterans being traded to create space for other players is high. Brooklyn could also wait until the trade deadline, but General Manager Sean Marks should aim to complete deals sooner rather than later.
**Projected Starting Lineup:**
**PG: Dennis Schroder**
Schroder is an ideal veteran presence for the young Nets squad. Entering his 12th NBA season, the 6-foot-1 German point guard boasts a 6-foot-7 wingspan. He can distribute, defend, and score when needed, but his primary role will be mentoring the younger players. Last season, Schroder averaged 14.6 points and 6.0 assists in 29 games with the Nets after the trade deadline, and he should continue in this vein.
**SG: Cam Thomas**
Thomas is now the face of the franchise following Bridges’ departure. He averaged 22.5 points last season and is expected to see another increase in his scoring numbers. At 22 years old, Thomas will not only focus on developing his game and leading Brooklyn in scoring but also on being a leader for the team’s core. He has shown significant improvement in just three years and has the potential to be a star in the league.
**SF: Jalen Wilson**
Wilson, even if Finney-Smith and Johnson remain with the team, has a strong chance of starting from day one. The sophomore player earned Summer League MVP honors, averaging 21.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in five games. Having shown flashes of his potential last season, Wilson looks to make a greater impact with more opportunities in 2024-25 as a versatile forward.
**PF: Noah Clowney**
Clowney demonstrated potential in a small sample size, suggesting he could become a special player with proper development. In 23 games last season, he averaged 5.8 points and 3.5 rebounds, with a notable 36.4% shooting from deep. As a 6-foot-10 floor spacer, Clowney would complement center Nicolas Claxton well. Whether or not DFS and Johnson stay, the expectation remains that Clowney should start, much like Wilson.
**C: Nicolas Claxton**
Claxton, back with the Nets on a four-year, $97 million deal, bridges the gap between young talent and experienced veteran. Known as one of the best paint presences in the NBA, Claxton will aim to build on his impressive previous seasons. At 25 years old, if he remains consistent, Claxton could become a valuable trade piece by midseason.
**Next Five: Ben Simmons, Dariq Whitehead, Bojan Bogdanovic, Ziaire Williams, Day’Ron Sharpe**
The Nets’ bench features a mix of players, presenting a good problem to have. Keon Johnson and Trendon Watford also make strong cases for playing time.
In Jordi Fernandez’s new system, Simmons is expected to be the primary ball handler off the bench, supported by shooters Whitehead and Bogdanovic. While Whitehead struggled in the summer league, Bogdanovic can mentor him.
Additionally, Williams, a new acquisition from the Memphis Grizzlies, will seek to revive his career alongside fellow 22-year-old and 2021 draftee Day’Ron Sharpe. The bench, though needing some development in terms of talent, appears to have a good scheme fit with a distributor at point guard and shooters and rebounders filling out the lineup.
