Brooklyn Nets not ‘interested’ in Houston Rockets’ No. 3 pick for Mikal Bridges

The Brooklyn Nets do not have a selection in the 2024 NBA Draft. While it is not certain that they will not enter the draft, they will not be selected with the third overall pick, which the Houston Rockets have thanks to the Nets.

There were rumors of a potential trade surrounding Mikal Bridges and the Rockets’ No. 3 pick, although Kurt Helin of NBC Sports reported Wednesday that a trade as such would not come to fruition.

“The Nets have consistently said they hope to use Bridges as a decoy to bring another star to Brooklyn and build from there,” Helin reported. “They won’t trade him for the No. 3 pick in this draft. Nice try though, Houston.”

True or false, it appears the Nets have some sort of direction – at least for now. That could change soon, but retaining Bridges and re-signing Nic Claxton is the team’s clearest path to competing at its highest level, and pursuing a star could be their last option in trying to build a contender.

Of course, the Nets can try their luck one last time. Re-sign last season’s winning talents and try to acquire a star to build a fringe contender. If that doesn’t come to fruition, it may be time for the Nets to trade their valuable players for young assets and future draft picks.

A youth movement could be on the horizon, as the Nets could find their way back to contention, but that window will be short-lived and the only path to a long-term championship window is through a rebuild.

It will be interesting to watch the Nets’ offseason unfold if they re-sign Claxton and keep Bridges – their most coveted trade asset. It will be clear that the team is not ready for a reset if that is the case.

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