Brooklyn Nets 2024-25 Season Preview: The race for the NBA's worst record is on

The 2024-25 NBA season is here! We break down the top questions, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy outlooks for all 30 teams. Enjoy!

End of 2023-24

Off-season moves

• Additions: Head coaches Jordi Fernandez, Bojan Bogdanović, Shake Milton, Ziaire Williams

• Subtractions: Mikal Bridges, Lonnie Walker IV, Keita Bates-Diop, Dennis Smith Jr.

• Full roster

The big question: Who will actually be on these networks in two years?

The Brooklyn Nets are a team in transition. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden are long gone. This also applies to Mikal Bridges, their best player from last season's 32-win team. In their place will be Ben Simmons, Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith and a number of draft picks that could one day come to fruition.

But not on this day. Simmons has played 57 games over the past three seasons, mostly poorly. Johnson and Finney-Smith are wildcards. Don't be surprised if one or both are traded for more draft assets. The goal now: Pray that one or more of these picks—yours or someone else’s—will become “The Guy.”

That's why they traded a number of picks from the Phoenix Suns to get the rights to their own back from the Houston Rockets in 2025 and 2026. They couldn't have signaled their willingness to refuel louder. They want the worst record in the NBA, which could take Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey at the top of the draft.

In the meantime, they should consider what few prospects they have. In recent years they have drafted Cam Thomas, Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead in the first round. Thomas is the Nets' closest thing to a reliable scoring threat, although that may be because he's the one willing to take the risk all the shots. Can he increase his efficiency to the point where he convinces us that his performance will win basketball?

Clowney is a big player who was on and off in the G League last season. Can he shoot well enough to let him play alongside starter Nicolas Claxton? If not, can Clowney make enough of an impression that they'll consider moving on the four-year, $97 million deal they just signed with Claxton?

Foot and shin surgeries cost Whitehead almost his entire rookie season. Can the 6-foot-2 Duke rediscover the potential that made him the top-ranked winger in the high school class of 2022?

Don't waste time winning games with Dennis Schröder and Bojan Bogdanović. It was smart business to target Killian Hayes and Ziaire Williams, a pair of current top-10 picks who didn't have success with the teams that drafted them. Why not try to revive their value as losses mount?

And then there's Simmons. He's the only one on the roster who has sniffed an All-Star team, and he's made three of them – before his back gave out, he lost his confidence, or both. Three years ago, he took second place as Defensive Player of the Year. Is there any of that left in him? He is 28 years old. He averaged 9-12-9 per 36 minutes in 15 games last season and barely made a blip on the radar. His career has one of the most bizarre arcs in league history. He is in the final year of a maximum contract. Is he even a minimum salary player next season? At least we should know the answer to that by April.

Who knows who will even be on this roster in two years? That's what they have to find out this season.

Best case scenario

Thomas is real. Maybe Whitehead is that too. Clowney is a stretch 4 player who can play with Claxton, and the two together could form the foundation of a strong defense. The Nets find buyers for Johnson and Finney-Smith and thus expand their draft stock. One way or another, Simmons is finding peace with his basketball career. And the team is absolutely terrible, so bad that they land enough ping pong balls to score Flagg.

When everything falls apart

No one is that good, but the Nets are doing their best. First-year head coach Jordi Fernandez falls in love with his veterans, beats Schröder and Johnson and Finney-Smith and Bogdanović and Claxton and fights for another 30 wins – enough to get into the lottery late. And we'll be in the same predicament again next season, wondering who even belongs in Brooklyn.

Fantasy spin

Thomas is poised for a breakout season. The 23-year-old goaltender was one of four guards under the age of 23 who averaged at least 20 points per game last season with a 30% usage rate. Add in his evolving play, and he's a good pick in the sixth round.

Claxton is a good source of blocks, rebounds and FG%, while Johnson will look to build off a disappointing and injury-filled season. Johnson ranked 128th in per-game value, largely because his efficiency declined across the board.

Clowney is an intriguing late-round flyer, but he will become even more valuable if the Nets fully commit to the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. Schröder will have his moments too, and I have more confidence in his contribution this season than Simmons. — Dan Titus

Schedule 2024-25

Whatever the number is, take the bottom one.