The Brooklyn Nets have made a significant trade, sending Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round draft picks. This move further solidifies the Nets' position as a team in rebuild mode, with general manager Sean Marks now possessing 15 first-round and 16 second-round draft picks.
The Nets are aiming to emulate the success of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who built a strong foundation around point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA). SGA, the runner-up for NBA MVP last season and currently the second-leading scorer in the league, could be the cornerstone for the Nets' future success. However, the Nets' history with star players has been inconsistent at best. They've yet to win a championship with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, and the Kyrie Irving/Kevin Durant/James Harden era ultimately imploded. The team hopes to land top prospect Cooper Flagg in next summer's draft, but they are also open to exploring other options. With the seventh-worst record in the NBA, the Nets are in a prime position to acquire valuable draft assets. They are expected to be heavily involved in scouting and potentially trading for a franchise-altering player