13 hours ago
Could the Nets trade with the Rockets prior to 2025 NBA Draft?
Could the Nets trade with the Rockets prior to 2025 NBA Draft?
The Brooklyn Nets have some important decisions to make prior to the 2025 NBA Draft as they have four first-round picks in the event that begins on June 25. Brooklyn's first pick is eighth overall so they are reportedly trying to find a way to acquire another premium pick and a Western Conference team might fit the bill.
NetsDaily reported earlier this month that he's "hearing Nets may want to move up from #19 to the lottery, offering CamJ and #19 to Raptors or Rockets for either Raps 9th or Rockets 10th plus a bad contract." Nets Wire has previously covered what a potential trade between the Nets and the Raptors would look like, but the Rockets could also be an attractive option.
As shown in the post below, the Nets could trade forward Cam Johnson and the 19th overall pick to the Rockets for the 10th overall pick and forward Dillon Brooks, allowing the deal to work given how much Johnson ($20.5 million) and Brooks ($21.1 million) will make next season. This isn't to say that Houston will definitely take this deal if it were on the table, but it's to give a sense of what contracts would have to be exchanged.
Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones Jr. of "The Dunker Spot" podcast recently did a livestream for Bleacher Report in which they broke down a way for both Brooklyn and Houston to get what they want. The duo suggested that the Nets would receive forward Jabari Smith Jr., center Jock Landale, and the 10th overall pick in exchange for Johnson, the 19th overall pick, and two second-round picks.
The trade idea is framed as a way for the Nets to get what they reportedly want in terms of acquiring a second Lottery pick while the Rockets achieve the goal of adding another player who contributes to winning right away. With the report that Houston is one of the teams that Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant would prefer to be traded to, it's possible that the Nets won't have much time to engage in a deal with the Rockets.
