INDIANAPOLIS — Brooklyn’s plan for the future is to bet on Phoenix.
Apparently Houston thinks the same way and expects the Suns’ prospects to be worse than the Nets’.
The Post and Hoopshype report that Nets GM Sean Marks and owner Joe Tsai reject Houston’s offer to return most of the Nets’ picks (given away in the James Harden trade) to Mikal Bridges. It was reported that.
Now, the Houston Chronicle reports on another approach from the Rockets.
The June 26th NBA Draft is expected to be one of the worst in recent memory, and with the Rockets already loaded with young players, Houston GM Rafael Stone is expected to buy Marks in January. He called and asked for the Nets’ picks back in exchange for the picks the Nets held. Phoenix Suns courtesy of Kevin Durant’s blockbuster.
Brooklyn quickly rejected the offer, in part because of their desire to pursue a play-in spot, but also primarily by sticking with the Suns’ pick.
Although the Nets finished 32-50 and missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season, league executives believe the Suns’ pick is a golden asset.
In a thorough analysis before this season started, CBS Sports evaluated all 56 picks traded on draft boards through 2030, with Brooklyn holding four of the six most valuable picks. The top pick was the 2029 pick from Phoenix.
Considering the Suns’ first-round sweep, Durant’s frustration, and cap-heavy Bradley Beal’s league-worst contract, taking the Suns shortstop looks like an even better idea than it did a year ago — That’s something the Rockets also share.
