NBA Trade Rumors: Nets Eye 2024 Draft Pick; Lost Both Selections in James Harden Deal

The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly targeting a trade that would give them a pick in this week's draft, per SNY's Ian Begley.

According to Begley, the team has "expressed optimism" that they will be able to obtain a pick before Wednesday.

Brooklyn lost both of its 2024 draft picks in a blockbuster trade for James Harden in 2021. It would have received the No. 3 pick in this year's draft, but because of the trade, that selection will now go to the Houston Rockets.

The Nets have several assets they can trade for a pick ahead of Wednesday's draft. Brooklyn has control of a 2025 first-round pick it received from the Phoenix Suns and a pair of first-round picks in the 2027 NBA draft from the Suns and Philadelphia 76ers.

The Nets also have a handful of players under contract that they can use in potential trades, though it would be hard to imagine they have enough talent to land a lottery pick.

It might not be a busy offseason for Brooklyn as its main goal will likely be to re-sign center Nic Claxton, but Begley reported the Nets could be gearing up to make a splash in 2025. According to Begley, opposing teams believe Brooklyn is preparing to use the 2025 offseason as an "opportunity to obtain top talent" with the significant cap space it will have.

Until then, the Nets will look to continue their rebuild following the Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving era. Brooklyn is coming off a 32-50 season in which it fired head coach Jacque Vaughn and replaced him with Sacramento Kings assistant Jordi Fernández.