The 2025 NBA Draft is less than a month away, and the Brooklyn Nets are a potential wildcard team. They have a staggering four first-round picks, and the Nets are in serious need of a star, let alone a star point guard.
This need makes the Nets a potential fit for Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, a 6'6 point guard known for his relentlessness as a driver and his elite playmaking. Of course, the San Antonio Spurs have the second overall pick and are predicted to take Harper.
That's despite them having plenty of guards already on their team, including star De'Aaron Fox, rising star Steph Castle, and Devin Vassell. While the Spurs would be fine adding a top prospect such as Harper to the mix, they may be open to trading the pick. Meanwhile, the Nets would seemingly be the team to trade up.
The Brooklyn Nets have the assets to trade up in the 2025 NBA Draft
With the Nets having four first-round picks in this year's draft, it's doubtful that they would use all four picks. That makes them a prime trade candidate ahead of the NBA draft.
Dylan Harper's dad, Ron Harper, who played 15 years in the NBA, has been outspoken about his son and recently hinted that the Nets could make a draft-night trade to try and acquire the second overall pick.
In that case, they would be in a position to draft Harper, and they do have the assets needed to entice the Spurs. One such offer could be to package the 8th pick, the 19th pick, a 2028 first, and a 2029 first (via the New York Knicks) for the second pick. Another offer could include Cam Johnson, the eighth and 19th picks for the second pick, and Keldon Johnson. There is a reason for the Spurs to consider either deal.
The San Antonio Spurs may consider trading the second overall pick
The first deal would give them the 19th pick and two distant future firsts for trading back six spots. That return value is in line with other tradebacks historically and would give San Antonio more flexibility.
After all, getting a first in two future drafts could come in handy when the Spurs get more expensive. That's with a core that could have star Victor Wembanyama on a supermax contract, Fox on a max contract, and Castle on a rookie max contract. They, of course, would also get the 8th and 19th picks to add young talent in this potential deal.
As for the other deal, Cam Johnson is one of the best shooters in the NBA. He would be a huge get for the Spurs, who have very little shooting around Wembanyama. Swapping Keldon Johnson for Cam Johnson would make plenty of sense, given that he would be the perfect fit playing at power forward alongside Wembanyama.
Trading back six spots, picking up an elite sharpshooter, a top 20 pick, and a future first would be worth considering. This is especially true considering that the Spurs also possess the 14th pick in the draft. In that scenario, they would be picking 8th, 14th, and 19th in this year's draft.
All told, the Nets seemed destined to make a big trade around the draft. With the 8th, 19th, 26th, and 27th picks, they could potentially entice a team such as the Spurs to trade back in the hopes of landing a potential future star in Harper.
Nevertheless, the Spurs appear likely to select Harper. But, given their depth at guard, they could be open to trading the pick, especially if the Nets make a very strong offer.