Brooklyn accelerates its rebuild by landing Julius Randle and veteran free agents, injecting much-needed leadership and playoff experience into a roster previously anchored at the bottom.
The Brooklyn Nets still rank near the bottom of the offseason power rankings, coming in at 28th, despite accelerating their rebuild through free agency as a cap space team.
Brooklyn rose one spot from the last iteration, and were replaced by the Milwaukee Bucks. ESPN's Vincent Goodwill highlighted the infusion of veteran talent around the young players.
General manager Sean Marks acquired Julius Randle in a four-team trade involving the Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets and Minnesota Timberwolves. Randle makes his return to New York after spending two seasons in Minnesota, and adds much-needed playoff experience.
He went to the Western Conference Finals during the 2024-25 season. The 31-year-old averaged over 20 points in back-to-back series against the Los Angeles Lakers (first round) and Golden State Warriors (semi finals).
As the oldest player on the roster, Randle is embracing a leadership role. His presence offers the rookies -- Mikel Brown Jr., Joshua Jefferson and Tyler Bilodeau -- and the second-year guys a veteran to lean on.
The Nets added Keon Ellis and Moritz Wagner as free agent signings. Ellis left the Cleveland Cavaliers and signed a two-year, $18 million contract.
The former Cavaliers guard provides coach Jordi Fernández with the most coveted skill set in the NBA -- shooting and defense. He should see more opportunities in Brooklyn than he did in Cleveland in the playoffs as a proven player over the other young guards, like Ben Saraf and Nolan Traoré, who are still developing.
Wagner left the Orlando Magic and signed a two-year, $19 million contract; both deals have a mutual option in the second year. The former Magic center is a versatile front court addition for a team lacking center depth.
Nic Claxton was traded to the Bulls in the Randle deal, making Day'Ron Sharpe the starting center. After Sharpe, though, there isn't a backup center. Wagner will fulfill that role, provided he stays healthy, as he's played 60 games combined over the last two seasons.
Brooklyn has done a solid job in free agency, mixing youth with veterans, but it seems like the media is underrating the team. The New Orleans Pelicans (27th) and Memphis Grizzlies (26th) are ranked higher.
New Orleans has made no offseason moves besides re-signing veteran center De'Andre Jordan to a two-year, $7 million deal. Injuries have been its Achilles heel for the last several years, as Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and DeJounte Murray struggle to play 80% of games consistently.
Memphis traded Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers, completing the dismantling of the Jaren Jackson Jr-Desmond Bane-Morant era. Cam Boozer, the third overall pick, is a great addition to a rebuilding team.
However, the team has experienced its fair share of injuries, too. Zach Edey was limited to 11 games last season because of season-ending left ankle surgery.
Marks has strengthened the talent pool for the Nets, who are aiming to compete next season to avoid punishment from the new lottery rules.
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