The Brooklyn Nets are sitting on a cool $16 million in cap space, and they’re not afraid to make some noise! 👀 From absorbing contracts to hoarding draft picks, the Nets are executing a master plan. But who’s next on their radar to join the rebuild? You won’t believe the names being floated around!

The Brooklyn Nets have emerged as a unique architectural force this NBA offseason, strategically leveraging their substantial cap space to reshape their roster and future trajectory. Rather than chasing marquee free agents, the franchise has meticulously engaged in a series of salary dump trades, absorbing significant contracts to accumulate valuable players and an impressive cache of future draft picks, all in alignment with a clear long-term rebuilding strategy.

This calculated approach began with facilitating the complex Kristaps Porzingis trade, a multi-team maneuver that ultimately saw the Nets acquire the draft rights to Drake Powell. This acquisition is particularly noteworthy as Powell represents one of Brooklyn’s five projected first-round picks in the highly anticipated 2025 NBA Draft, underscoring their commitment to cultivating young talent through the draft.

Following this, the Nets orchestrated another significant deal, bringing Michael Porter Jr. into the fold. This transaction was mutually beneficial, enabling the Denver Nuggets to shed the final two years and a substantial $79.6 million from Porter’s contract. For Brooklyn, the move secured a skilled perimeter scorer, instantly bolstering their offensive capabilities and adding a proven, albeit expensive, asset to their burgeoning roster.

After these strategic additions, which also included a player named Highsmith, Brooklyn’s total salaries for the upcoming 2025-26 season stand at approximately $131.9 million. Critically, this leaves them with roughly $16.5 million in remaining cap space, placing them well below both the salary cap and the minimum floor, indicating that the front office has further critical moves to execute.

Among the most discussed potential targets is Olivier-Maxence Prosper, whose $3 million contract has been linked to the Nets in recent reports. This interest aligns perfectly with Brooklyn’s established modus operandi; Prosper, at just 23 years old and hailing from Clemson, possesses developmental needs that fit seamlessly into the franchise’s ambitious rebuilding timeline. Despite averaging only 3.5 points per game early in his career, his impressive defensive versatility is a highly coveted trait by Head Coach Jordi Fernandez.

The incentive for such a trade largely falls on the Dallas Mavericks, who are reportedly seeking to create roster space and navigate the complexities of the second apron. Cap expert Yossi Gozland suggests Dallas possesses two second-round picks that could serve as enticements for a team willing to absorb Prosper’s contract. Alternatively, the Mavericks could consider waiving and stretching Prosper to achieve their cap goals before the looming salary-stretch deadline.

Brooklyn’s future draft capital is exceptionally rich, boasting 13 incoming future draft picks, ten of which are currently tradeable, alongside an additional 19 future second-round picks. Dallas, in contrast, holds tradable second-round picks from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2030 and their own in 2032. It’s also notable that Brooklyn already controls Dallas’s second-round picks in both 2029 and 2030, further intertwining their draft futures.

Whether the Nets ultimately deem Dallas’s available assets, including Prosper, compelling enough to finalize a trade remains a key question. However, such a move would undeniably integrate smoothly into their broader rebuilding strategy for this offseason. Therefore, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, alongside other potential salary-dump candidates like Cleveland’s Max Strus and Orlando’s Jett Howard, is certainly a name to closely monitor as the Nets continue to shape their future.