The Brooklyn Nets are continuing their massive roster overhaul, and their latest move is making waves across the NBA. After months of speculation and a disappointing season, the Nets have agreed to trade three of their veteran star players in a blockbuster deal to acquire a six-time NBA All-Star, signaling a full commitment to their rebuild.
This comes just months after the Nets shocked the league by sending star forward Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks. Brooklyn ended last season with a dismal 32-50 record, the franchise’s worst performance since 2017-18. The team also parted ways with head coach Jacque Vaughn midseason, finishing with Kevin Ollie as interim coach. While Brooklyn was not expected to make the playoffs next year, the trade of Bridges and now the latest moves have set the stage for a dramatic reset.
Brooklyn’s Big Move
According to reports from Brian Lewis of the New York Post, the Nets are trading veteran players Dennis Schroder, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Bojan Bogdanovic. All three players are valuable contributors, but Brooklyn’s vision has shifted toward acquiring young talent and building for the future. Here’s a breakdown of the players involved in the trade:
Dennis Schroder
Schroder joined the Nets from the Toronto Raptors before the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline. The German guard had an immediate impact, starting in 25 of his 29 games with Brooklyn. He averaged 14.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6 assists per game while shooting 42.4% from the field and an impressive 41.2% from beyond the arc.
However, despite Schroder’s contributions, his age (he turns 31 soon) and the timeline of Brooklyn’s rebuild make him expendable. Schroder, currently in the last year of his two-year, $25.4 million deal, expressed a desire to stay with the Nets long-term but understood that the NBA’s business dynamics could dictate his departure.
Dorian Finney-Smith
Finney-Smith has been with the Nets for the past two seasons after arriving from the Dallas Mavericks in the 2023 Kyrie Irving trade. Known for his defensive prowess and versatility, Finney-Smith has been a reliable presence on the court, starting 82 of his 96 games in Brooklyn. He averaged 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 40.2% from the field.
The 30-year-old forward still has two years left on his contract, but with a $15.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season, his age and contract status make a trade beneficial for both sides.
Bojan Bogdanovic
Bogdanovic, acquired in the Mikal Bridges trade, remains a strong contributor at 35 years old. Though nearing the end of his prime, Bogdanovic is still effective, as evidenced by his ninth-place finish in Sixth Man of the Year voting last season. He’s on an expiring contract worth $19 million, making him an attractive piece for contending teams.
Brooklyn’s Future
With these trades, the Brooklyn Nets are making a clear statement that they are rebuilding from the ground up. The acquisition of a six-time NBA All-Star will provide a cornerstone for the team’s new direction, offering both a veteran presence and leadership to guide the young core.
Brooklyn’s decisions this offseason have transformed the team from a middle-tier playoff contender into one fully focused on development and long-term success. The next few months will be crucial as the Nets continue to reshape their roster and pursue additional pieces to support their All-Star acquisition.
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