The Brooklyn Nets are heading into the 2025 NBA Draft with an absolutely insane amount of first-round firepower. We’re not talking about two or three picks here — we’re talking five. Yup, five first-round picks, which makes them the team with the most first-round selections in a single draft since at least 2009.
Let that sink in.
This isn't just another rebuilding year for Brooklyn. This is a “we're cooking up something wild” type of situation. Whether they keep all five or use them to trade up, trade down, or flip for a player (or three), one thing's clear: The Nets are holding all the cards — and everyone else better be paying attention.
🛠️ How Did We Get Here?
So how did the Nets manage to stack the deck like this?
It took a mix of smart trades, a willingness to shake things up, and some patience. Let’s break down each of the five first-rounders Brooklyn has in its back pocket and how each one ended up with them.
📌 No. 8 Overall Pick — The One That Came Back Home
Let’s start with the most straightforward — Brooklyn's own pick. Well, sort of.
The No. 8 pick originally belonged to the Nets but was technically in Houston’s possession as part of a previous pick swap deal. But thanks to some contractual pick-swap gymnastics between the Rockets and Nets last summer, Brooklyn got it back.
Yep, that one came full circle.
📌 No. 19 Overall — The Mikal Bridges Fallout
This one is a bit of a journey. The No. 19 pick originally belonged to the New Orleans Pelicans, but through a complicated trade route that went through Portland, Detroit, and eventually New York, it ended up with Brooklyn.
This pick was one of two first-rounders the Nets snagged in a blockbuster deal that sent Mikal Bridges packing to the Knicks last offseason.
Say what you want about trading away Bridges — but this is one of those assets that proves Brooklyn had a long game in mind.
📌 No. 22 Overall — The Terance Mann Deal
Ah, the most recent acquisition.
Just days before the draft, the Nets got this pick (originally from Atlanta) in a three-team deal involving the Celtics and Hawks. Here’s how it went down:
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Boston shipped Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks.
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The Hawks sent the No. 22 pick and Terance Mann to Brooklyn.
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The Celtics received Georges Niang and a 2025 second-rounder.
It was a bit of a chessboard shuffle, but Brooklyn walked away with a solid veteran guard and another mid-first-round pick. Not too shabby.
📌 No. 26 Overall — Another Piece of the Bridges Trade
Here comes the second part of the Bridges trade.
The No. 26 pick, originally owned by the Knicks, is another unprotected first-rounder that landed in Brooklyn's lap when they dealt Bridges to New York. In total, the Knicks sent four unprotected firsts in that trade — and two are being cashed in on this very draft night.
That’s major capital in today’s NBA economy.
📌 No. 27 Overall — Another Loop with Houston
Believe it or not, this one also involves Houston — again.
The No. 27 pick started with the Phoenix Suns, moved to the Rockets, and came to Brooklyn in the same pick swap deal that got them their original No. 8 pick back. So if you’re keeping count, Houston helped deliver two of Brooklyn’s five picks.
You might want to send Houston a thank-you card, Brooklyn.
🎯 What About the Second Round?
Don’t forget, the Nets aren’t done after the first 30 picks.
They’re also holding the No. 36 pick in the second round, which came via New York by way of Atlanta. That gives them six picks total on Wednesday night. If you thought the war room in Brooklyn was going to be quiet, think again.
🚨 Can Brooklyn Make Draft History?
If the Nets actually use all five of their first-round picks, they’ll become the first team since at least 2009 to make that many first-round selections in a single draft. That infamous 2009 draft? The Timberwolves had four picks — and still managed to whiff on Stephen Curry. Twice.
So yeah, it’s not about how many picks you have. It’s about what you do with them.
Still, just the possibility of Brooklyn going five-for-five is the kind of chaos that makes draft night so exciting.
🧩 Will They Keep All Five?
Highly unlikely.
Even with all this capital, it’s hard to see the Nets using all five first-rounders as-is. That’s just not how the modern NBA operates. Picks like these are valuable currencies — ways to move up the board, trade for established players, or even stow assets overseas for development.
Don’t be surprised if Brooklyn flips one (or two) of these picks either during the draft or just moments before. There's a strong possibility they package a couple to move into the top five or get aggressive for a veteran star who fits their long-term timeline.
📈 What's the Strategy Here?
Brooklyn’s front office seems to be playing the long game — a slow rebuild built on flexibility, options, and a mountain of draft capital.
They’re not looking for one single superstar fix. Instead, they’re laying down the pieces to develop a core, grow young talent, and stay ready for any major trade opportunities. It’s a page straight out of the Sam Presti OKC playbook… except Brooklyn might actually out-Presti Presti.
That’s saying something.
🧠 Final Thought: This Could Be Franchise-Shifting
Make no mistake — what the Nets do on draft night could define the next decade of the franchise. With five shots in the first round, they have the chance to completely reshape their roster.
Whether they go young, bold, or pull off a blockbuster, all eyes are going to be on Brooklyn.
So get your popcorn ready. Because when draft night kicks off, the Nets are about to own the room — and maybe the future.
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