The 2024-25 NBA season won’t go down as a banner year in the win column for the Brooklyn Nets, but to call it a failure would miss the bigger picture entirely. What this year did bring was clarity, commitment, and a cultural reset that has the franchise aligned for one of its most pivotal offseasons in over a decade.
General manager Sean Marks has been here before. He’s rebuilt the Nets once already, and after the superteam era of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden collapsed under its own weight, Marks and his staff have recalibrated the vision for Brooklyn basketball: build smart, build patiently, and build with purpose.
With 13 tradeable first-round picks, 17 tradeable second-rounders, and $91.8 million in projected practical cap space, the Nets have the flexibility and firepower to go in any direction they choose. And according to Marks, that direction will be dictated by principle—not pressure.
“If you’re going after max-level talent, they’ve got to automatically and absolutely change the trajectory of your team,” Marks said in his end-of-season media session. “This can’t be, ‘Let’s go get this guy and lock ourselves into being a six or seven seed.’ If we go all-in, it’s to compete at the highest level.”
A Season of Strategic Change
Brooklyn’s strategic shift became clear when they dealt away cornerstone Mikal Bridges to the Knicks and veteran Dorian Finney-Smith in two separate trades. Those moves shocked the fanbase, but inside the organization, they were viewed as necessary to create long-term flexibility and lean further into a player development model centered around youth and character.
“We’ve talked about being systematic and strategic,” Marks emphasized. “We don’t want to get sped up.”
Head coach Jordi Fernández, brought in prior to the season, deserves credit for keeping the locker room engaged despite roster turnover and mounting losses. His developmental mindset and steady leadership gave players the freedom to grow and make mistakes. That impact wasn’t lost on the locker room.
“Happy with this team,” said forward Ziaire Williams. “Credit to Jordi. He’s done a great job.”
Cultural Buy-In and Player Accountability
As the roster changed, the attitude remained consistent: compete hard, work smart, and stay connected. That tone was echoed across the board during final media availability.
Cam Johnson, one of the team’s leaders both on and off the court, addressed ongoing trade speculation and his role within the franchise’s rebuild.
“(I’ll) definitely go to Sean [Marks] and ask [about my future] because I have a vested interest in what we’re doing here,” Johnson said. “I’ve put a lot of effort into being a part of this program, and I take that seriously. I’ve been given a responsibility to have that approach.”
Marks himself echoed the value of retaining voices like Johnson in the locker room.
“There was no shortage of teams calling on him,” Marks said. “But I can’t think of a pathway that Cam doesn’t fit in… He’s a high-character guy who you’re gonna see consistency from every day. We’re in zero hurry to move on from players like that.”
The emphasis on internal development was repeated by several players, including second-year big man Day’Ron Sharpe, who said he’s aiming to get back to the playing weight that made him effective in his third season.
“I’m gonna get my weight under control,” said Sharpe. “Try to lose about 10 pounds, play at the weight I did when I remade my body.”
Keon Johnson called his short stint with Brooklyn “an eye-opener,” saying he was grateful for the opportunity he’d been given.
Forward Noah Clowney, recovering from wrist surgery, outlined plans to focus on strength and decision-making this offseason.
“I was mainly a floor spacer, and I think I did fairly well,” Clowney said. “But once teams started realizing I could shoot, they made me put the ball on the floor. I’ve gotta be better at that second and third decision.”
Even Cam Thomas, who dealt with a string of unfortunate injuries, was optimistic.
“When I was healthy, I had a great season,” Thomas said. “The injuries were fluke injuries. I’m confident in how I can contribute when I’m out there.”
Nic Claxton’s Next Chapter
One of the most important dominoes this offseason involves center Nic Claxton, who will be an unrestricted free agent. Claxton remained durable and consistent throughout most of the season but admitted to playing through discomfort.
“It still bothers me,” Claxton said, referring to lingering back pain. “But we’ve got the whole offseason. I’ve got a plan; we’ll get it right.” He added that surgery is not currently expected.
While Claxton has not publicly indicated a lean toward staying or leaving, his growth as a rim protector and vocal leader has made him a core piece—should the team choose to re-sign him.
Lottery Hopes, Draft Capital, and the Long View
Brooklyn finished the season with the sixth-best lottery odds, and owns three additional first-round picks from the Bucks (tied for 18th), Knicks (26th), and Rockets (27th). A lucky draw could land them a franchise-altering piece in a draft seen by many as deep with role-player talent but light on sure-thing superstars.
Still, the Nets haven’t had a top-14 pick since 2010—a year when LeBron was still ringless and the Nets were still in New Jersey. It’s an opportunity that’s long overdue.
“You want guys under contract that you’ve developed, and who’ve gotten to their second contract under your watch,” Marks explained. “Those days are probably gone of going and getting two or three max free agents.”
What Brooklyn Is Selling
While cap space and picks make for great headlines, Marks believes the Nets’ biggest pitch is internal. “The biggest selling point we have? The guy sitting next to me,” Marks said, motioning to Cam Thomas. “And guys like him—players who are willing to grow, buy in, and represent the type of program we want here.”
In addition, the Nets drew over 700,000 fans this season, with 25 sellouts at Barclays Center—a sign of renewed interest and belief in the direction. According to YES Network, it was the sixth time since 2013-14 the team has reached that attendance threshold, after hitting it only once in their final 36 years in New Jersey.
“I enjoy the group. I enjoy being here,” said free agent forward Trendon Watford. “It’s a good environment.”
Ziaire Williams added: “I feel like Brooklyn is the best place for me. I’ve made lifelong friends. These guys are my brothers.”
Final Thoughts: No Rush, Just Purpose
The Brooklyn Nets aren’t in a rush to make the splashy move. They’ve tried that before. This version of the team, from the front office down, understands the value in sustainability over flash, in consistency over chaos.
Marks and his staff are poised to explore the market this summer, but they’ll do so on their terms—with flexibility, vision, and a clear commitment to cultural integrity.
“We’re always going to have various free agents and opportunities thrown at us,” Marks said. “Just simply being in a Top 5 market, that’s going to happen. But we don’t want to get sped up.”
The 2024-25 Brooklyn Nets may not have made the playoffs, but they succeeded in something far more rare—they built a team with a soul. And now, with the resources in hand, they’re ready to make the next move.
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