The Brooklyn Nets, like every other team, are hoping to take the players they’re interested in when the 2025 NBA Draft begins on June 25 at Barclays Center. Brooklyn has five picks to use in the Draft so they will most likely get their guys, but there is a chance that a rival team gets in their way.
“The Brooklyn Nets, picking at No. 8, also have Fears on their radar and could explore moving up to get ahead of Washington,” Grant Afseth wrote for rg.org when discussing Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears. At this point, it seems that Fears is virtually guaranteed to be taken within the top-10 picks of the Draft, but with him drawing top-5 buzz, it seems that Brooklyn may have to get creative if they want to acquire him.
NBA Draft expert Rafael Barlowe recently said during an appearance on Yahoo! Sports’ “The Kevin O’Connor Show” that the Nets are a team that may have interest in moving up to draft Fears. Fears has already worked out for Brooklyn and has spoken about what his conversations with the Nets were like, and how he sees himself on the team, in a postive tone.
“The Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Nets are among the most active teams exploring first-round trade-ups, sources tell RG,” Afseth continued. “Brooklyn is considered one of the most aggressive teams in the trade market, holding four first-round picks (Nos. 8, 19, 26, and 27).”
Ever since the Lottery happened, there have been multiple reports of the Nets potentially looking for ways to shake up the draft, such as by moving up. There have also been rumors that Brooklyn may not move up, but could explore trying to acquire a second Lottery pick depending on what other teams are trying to accomplish. Afseth’s report seems to be further confirmation that the Nets will be doing something prior to the Draft.