After a wild Tuesday night that saw the Nets part ways with star forward Mikal Bridges, Wednesday’s festivities at Barclays Center were far quieter for the franchise.
The first round of the 2024 NBA Draft came and went, and despite months of rumors suggesting that Brooklyn was aggressively pursuing a first-round pick, the team ultimately walked away with zero selections.
After Bridges was dealt to the Knicks on Wednesday for a haul of future draft capital, the assumption was that the Nets would continue to angle toward a rebuild by making veteran wings such as Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smtih available in trade talks with hopes of securing a first-round pick on Wednesday night.
Despite wing-needy teams such as the Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly showing interest, no deal was made. However, that does not mean Brooklyn is done making moves. Its next trade may just have to wait for Day 2 or later. And although fresh talent was not added to the roster on Wednesday, the team did reach an agreement with prized free agent center Nic Claxton, who will return to the Nets next season on a four-year, $100 million deal.
Brooklyn was the only team without a selection in this year’s draft entering the night. If it does manage to trade into the second round on Thursday at Seaport District Studios in New York, here are the Top 10 best available prospects, per ESPN:
1. Johnny Furphy, SG, Kansas; 2. Kyle Filipowski, PF, Duke; 3. Tyler Kolek, PG, Marquette; 4. Bobi Klintman, PF, Sweden; 5. Cameron Christie, SG, Minnesota; 6. Adem Bona, C, UCLA; 7. Tyler Smith, SF, G League Ignite; 8. Juan Núñez, PG, Spain; 9. Kevin McCullar Jr., SF, Kansas; 10. Justin Edwards, SG, Kentucky