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Analysis: The Nets best trading choice for holding 4 first-round draft picks at the 2025 NBA Draft

4:43am, 26 May 2025【Basketball】

Here are the best trading options the Nets can make using these four first-round picks to make in order to make even greater progress in the 2025 draft.

The Brooklyn Nets hold four first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. Surprisingly, their savvy deals over the years finally got them this far. Now, General Manager Sean Max needs to make many decisions, some of which may change the fate of the team forever. Here are the best trading options the Nets can make using these four first-round picks to make for greater progress in the 2025 draft.

Nets want to get two obvious players. If they can’t get the players they want through the free agent market, then the trade is enough. The current Nets' lineup is not enough to enter the playoffs. So they have to make some adjustments. Brooklyn fans have always been eager to see their team become a championship team. After the crushing defeats of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden, fans are well aware of the pain. Even so, fans would be very excited if they could get one of these two players. Here are some options to achieve this.

Nets get Giannis Antetokounmpo with huge trades: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bucks get: All four 2025 first-round picks, an unprotected 2027 first-round pick, Cam Thomas and Nick Clarkston

As Giannis Antetokounmpo's coaching career with the Milwaukee Bucks doesn't look smooth, several teams may trade him this offseason. Antetokounmpo had another great season, leading the Bucks in scoring and rebounding.

Although Antetokounmpo signed a long-term contract not long ago, he is unlikely to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks. Finally, the Bucks prepared a list of requests to send off the super center who helped the team win the 2021 NBA championship. Any team that wants to get this superstar will be a high price. While teams like the Miami Heat can trade for the superstar, the Nets also have a great chance to get the "Greek Monster".

Nets have four first-round picks. Therefore, they have advantages and exciting assets. In this case, the Nets will give all four first-round picks to the Nets. In addition, they will also send Cam Thomas and Nick Clarkston out. The "new lineup" will be composed of Antetokounmpo, D'Angelo Russell, Ziel Williams and Keon Johnson. Of course, the Nets may be chasing another free agent, so Antetokounmpo is not the only star in the starting lineup.

This transaction is expensive. However, the deal will help the Nets return to the playoffs and potentially improve competitiveness. The competition in the Eastern Conference is very fierce due to Jason Tatum's season reimbursement. Granted, they still need to compete with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Indiana Pacers, the New York Knicks, and the healthy Orlando Magic. But signing Antetokounmpo will bring them the ultimate weapon, and the player has won the championship.

If the Bucks get Antetokounmpo, they can also sign free agents like Malik Beasley or Tees Jones to build the roster. Ultimately, Beasley made a huge contribution in helping the Pistons return to the playoffs, and he could also play the same role with the Brooklyn Nets.

Nets grab Trae Young

Nets win: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Hawks win: 2025 first-round pick (eighth pick), 2025 first-round pick (eighteenth pick), 2027 unprotected first-round pick and Cam Thomas

If Antetokounmpo is too expensive for the Nets, they can choose another way, which is to trade Trae Young. The benefit of this is that they only need to give up half of their first-round picks in 2025. The remaining half can be used to pick players, develop them into role players, and even eventually become more suitable players. In addition, the Nets just have to give up Thomas and leave Johnson behind, which will be a huge profit.

Yang averaged 24.2 points per game and led the league with 11.1 assists. His ability to organize offenses is unmatched, which makes Young a valuable player in the NBA. Plus, he is a great locker room leader and always goes all out.

Trading with Young instead of Antetokounmpo can prevent the Nets from disbanding the entire lineup and starting over with only one superstar. In addition, getting Young can also give them a market value star that has never been since Durant, and a shooting creator that has never been since Irving. That's right, the $43 million offer is indeed a good deal. But the Nets still have enough cap space to sign another superstar through free agent market.

Isaiah Haltenstein would be very suitable for Young. He is a big guy who can make up for any flaws in the game and can show the same predictability as he did when he was striving for the NBA championship with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Nets don't have to spend too much to sign him, and they still have a roster ready to compete for a playoff spot or even more.