Brooklyn Nets 'Long-Term Plan' Unveiled, Direction is Set For Now

There is no need to speculate, as the Nets have made their direction as a franchise clear.

Apr 3, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Schroder (17) and Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges (1) during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports / John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets' easiest path to an eventual return to contender status in the NBA seems to be a roster reset and youth movement. "News" broke on Friday that the Nets have zero intention to move on from Mikal Bridges.

Evidently, trading Bridges -- far and wide the team's most valuable trade chip -- would be the kickstart to a rebuild. Instead, the Nets claimed they see Bridges as a co-star to a superstar, which they intend to eventually make a move for, according The Athletic's Fred Katz.

"According to league sources, Brooklyn’s front office has told teams it views Bridges as a co-star to whichever big name it can trade for down the line. That’s the organization’s long-term plan — though all it takes for the blueprint to change is one hint from Bridges that he wouldn’t re-sign in a couple of seasons," Katz reported.

Bridges' strength as a co-star paired with his elite-value contract could net the Nets both young talent and incredible draft capital in return, but Brooklyn would rather sit on their hands and wait to land a superstar talent -- which is far easier said than done.

Because of this, the Nets are delaying the inevitable. They won't return Bridges on such a value contract. Should he eventually leave or demand a trade, his value will drop and the Nets will net less value in return.

Now might be the Nets' best opportunity to sell out their win-now talent, which requires a superstar on the roster to win with, to kickstart a rebuild. They're delaying the inevitable roster reset, and the longer they wait, the further they dig themselves into a hole.

Right now, the Nets, as a franchise, are the only thing working against them. They've got the opportunity to get a fresh reset and do things the right way, but they're choosing to hold out hope for a superstar to come and complete the team, which simply doesn't feel like the right move right now.

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READ MORE: Bridges Unavailable: Brooklyn Nets Have 'Zero Interest' in Trading Star

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