For a rebuilding franchise, the Brooklyn Nets have a pretty sure foundation.
The Nets are equipped with a heralded volume scorer in Cam Thomas. Cam Johnson is their centerpiece and potential future franchise player. Nic Claxton mans the middle as a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate to watch while the rest of the roster has fresh young legs with varying skill sets.
Nevertheless, former All-Star D’Angelo Russell is their only dynamic playmaker. Thus, Brooklyn could go after a point forward set to hit the restricted free market next summer. Chicago Bulls wing Josh Giddey has an $11.14 million qualifying offer for next season.
Should Giddey bypass that final year of his deal and become a restricted free agent, he could add to the Nets’ young attack. The 22-year-old would help the Nets play a fast and aggressive brand of basketball.
In 2024-25, the Australian talent boasts averages of 12.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game for the Bulls. He’s an even better passer than the face-value stats suggest. Giddey leaves something to be desired from the three-point line. Nevertheless, his stoutness in the fast break and in attacking the basket in the half-court would go a long way for a Nets team that averages the sixth-fewest assists per game at 24.7 APG.
A starting five of Russell, Thomas, Giddey, Johnson and Claxton would have real promise. Brooklyn could either nurture them or sell high once they could yield a great return.
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