The Brooklyn Nets are poised to have significantly more cap space than any other NBA team this offseason, with the ability to open up over $60 million in room.
However, their strategy for utilizing this space is expected to differ from that of last year’s top cap-room team, the Philadelphia 76ers, who made a big push to sign win-now free agents.
As Brian Windhorst of ESPN reports in an Insider-only article, the Nets have hinted at a longer-term plan, especially after regaining control of their 2025 and 2026 first-round picks.
This signals that the team may be targeting at least a two-year rebuild rather than rushing into immediate roster changes.
Some rival executives believe the Nets could carry much of their cap space over to the 2026 offseason, allowing them to make a more impactful move when their long-term strategy becomes clearer.
“They’re going to use it in trade because they’re not going to have anyone to pay in this free agent market,” one executive stated, commenting on the Nets’ likely approach.
“They could end up right back in this spot next year.”
This suggests that Brooklyn might look to utilize its cap room in trades to further strengthen their roster or position themselves for future moves, rather than using it for short-term free-agent signings.
Bontemps/Windhorst's Latest: Nets, Sixers, Zion, Wizards, Raptors https://t.co/Cj7nTHpp8w pic.twitter.com/2FMbCZQiw6
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) March 15, 2025
