​The Brooklyn Nets ended the 2025-26 season with a disappointing 20-62 record, earning them the No. 6 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. With their 2027 first-round pick not in their control, Brooklyn appears intent on maximizing this summer, reportedly aiming high. League sources cited by The Post say the Nets are more likely to spend their cap space on trades rather than chasing free agents, a view echoed by cap experts Bobby Marks of ESPN and Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron. The team could use cap room to secure favorable deals or land players not available on the open market.
The Nets have been linked to several players as potential targets, including New Orleans’ Trey Murphy III, Oklahoma City’s Cason Wallace, and there were past reports connecting them to Boston’s Jaylen Brown. While Brown or Murphy would require substantial compensation, Wallace could be attainable at a lower cost, especially if the Thunder face financial pressure and might be reluctant to match a big extension. Wallace, 22, posted 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in 2025-26, shooting 43.2% from the field and 35.1% from three. If Brooklyn can leverage up to about $40 million in cap space, contingent on how any Julius Randle trade shakes out, they could feasibly add Wallace or the other mentioned targets to bolster the roster.
The Nets’ reported interest centers on Cason Wallace and Trey Murphy III, with the prevailing belief that they will pursue trades to maximize their cap space’s value rather than pursuing free-agent signings. This summary reflects the information shared by The Post and cited cap experts, as reported by Nets Wire.