How the Nets could be a major player at the 2026 trade deadline

The The NBA trade deadline is approachingand the Brooklyn Nets are at the center of league-wide speculation. With a league-leading $15.2 million in cap space, the rebuilding team could once again be a league-wide dumping ground for unwanted contracts. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, rival teams look to Brooklyn as a trade partner on the eve of February 5.

“The Nets have $15 million in cap space and can create more, which has led to increased trade talks to use their cap room to absorb salary while receiving assets,” sources told Charani. “The Nets, Pistons ($14.1 million exception) and Utah Jazz ($18.4 million exception) are the only teams with significant cap space that can take bigger deals and not be affected by the apron.”

general manager Sean Marks made four separate salary cap trades during the offseason. The Nets absorbed Terrence Mann’s three-year, $45 million contract in a three-team trade with the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics. They received the 22nd pick in the draft along with Mann, which they used to select Drake Powell.

Brooklyn also bought Michael Porter Jr.’s two-year, $79 million contract and the Denver Nuggets’ 2032 unprotected first-round pick for Cam Johnson. Marks then took on Haywood Highsmith’s expiring $5.6 million contract and in return received a 2032 second-round pick.

The Nets ended the offseason by acquiring Kobe Bufkin from the Hawks for cash. However, they waived Bufkin before the start of the regular season.

Why the Nets could be one of the busiest teams in the NBA at the 2026 trade deadline

The Boston Celtics are a team to watch out for as a trade partner for the Nets. After an active summer, the Celtics still have $12 million over the luxury tax. Anfernee Simmons is rumored to be a trade candidate as Boston aims to drop below the tax line and reset the replay tax.

Nets and Celtics discussed several trade scenarios which includes Simmons’ $27.7 million contract that expires this summer, according to HoopsHipe’s Michael Scotto. Brooklyn has four players with salaries around $6 million (Cam ThomasDai’Ron Sharpe, Zaire Williams Highwood Highsmith). The team could send two of those players to Boston while re-acquiring Simmons’ contract along with a young player and/or draft compensation.

In addition to potential salary-cutting deals, Cam Thomas is a likely trade candidate at the deadline. After not agreeing to a contract extension with Brooklyn this summer and signing his qualifying offer, Thomas will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Thomas has been sidelined since Nov. 5 with a left hamstring strain, his fourth in a year. Although the fifth-year guard has a no-trade clause this season, he does not appear to be part of the Nets’ long-term plans, opening the door for the two sides to work on a trade.

“Brooklyn could also work with Cam Thomas’ agents in the Octagon to address his future, potentially via trade, as he plays out the rest of the season on a qualifying offer and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer,” Charania wrote.

After an 0-7 start with Thomas in the lineup, the Nets have posted a 6-10 record since his injury. Their defense has improved by 12.6 points per 100 possessions since Thomas went down.

Meanwhile, Michael Porter Jr. and Noah Clowney have broken out in key offensive roles. Rookies Egor Demin, Drake Powell and Danny Wolf played well with extra reps on the ball.

The Nets announced on Saturday that Thomas has started working on the court and his status will be updated in two weeks. Thomas will be eligible for a trade on Dec. 15, though he will have to agree to any deal.