NBA Rumors: Nets 'Believed to Be' Exploring Trade Up in 1st Round of 2023 Draft

The Brooklyn Nets have the Nos. 21 and 22 picks in the 2023 NBA draft but are reportedly looking to be on the move.

Jonathan Givony of ESPN reported the Nets are "believed to be" looking to trade up into the lottery by packaging both of their first-round picks.

The Nets are in the midst of a full-scale rebuild after dismantling the Kevin Durant-Kyrie Irving duo in February. General manager Sean Marks has been in this position before, helping build the organization from the ground up in the aftermath of the ill-fated Kevin Garnett-Paul Pierce era.

While the draft pick cupboards are not nearly as bare this time around—they were able to recoup future selections when they shipped off Irving and Durant—it's no less of a frustrating experience for a franchise that believed it was on the cusp of a championship.

The Nets are also in the untenable position of needing to stay somewhat competitive to avoid handing the Houston Rockets high lottery picks. Houston owns Brooklyn's unprotected 2024 first-round pick, along with the options to swap picks in 2025 and 2027. That unfortunate reality gives Brooklyn little motivation to fully punt next season, hence the desire to potentially acquire a high-upside lottery pick.

Brooklyn will have the Phoenix Suns' unprotected first-round picks in 2025, 2027 and 2029, along with a 2028 pick swap. That will give Marks some maneuverability as he seeks to improve the roster, whether that comes on draft day or in search of young veteran talent to pair with Mikal Bridges.