Nets News: Rob Pelinka Could Save Brooklyn’s Future With $94 Million Gamble as Knicks Generosity Triggers Cooper Flagg Chase

Making two blockbuster deals on the same day, the Brooklyn Nets look well on their way to starting a rebuild. Sending Mikal Bridges to the Knicks for a plethora of draft picks and then trading future picks with the Rockets, the Nets are currently collecting assets to facilitate their plan. Their target seems to be the 2025 draft’s biggest prospect, Cooper Flagg. And Lakers GM Rob Pelinka could further help the Nets’ strategy by taking Forward Cam Johnson off their hands with a $94 million gamble.

Following the Bridges deal, the Nets are likely also looking to trade away Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith, both of whom are decent players and could return great value. With the two stars entering the market, many teams are expected to make an offer for them and give up tomorrow’s first-round draft picks in exchange. And the Lakers could be one of those contenders.

While the Lakers have the 17 pick tomorrow, this draft class lacks the star power that could make them hold on to their pick. Meanwhile, with the Nets making Cam Johnson available, Pelinka could use a forward like him to pair alongside LeBron and AD for next season. Only 28 years old, Johnson has shown massive upside in his five-year career. Because of that, he earned a four-year $94.5 million contract last year. Even this season, he averaged 13.4 points along with over four rebounds. More importantly, he also has experience playing in pressure playoff situations as he helped the Suns reach the finals three years ago. And with his career 39.2% three-point shooting percentage, Cam would be a perfect fit with the Lakers.

With so much potential, Pelinka could consider striking a deal with the Nets tomorrow and giving them his 17 pick in exchange for their star forward. And this move will not only help the Lakers improve but also secure Brooklyn’s future. With the Lakers’ pick, the Nets will have a new rookie to work around this season and get better by the time Cooper Flagg becomes available.

The Nets inching closer toward bagging Cooper Flagg

Failing to make the playoffs this year and finishing as the eleventh seed, while also earning multiple future draft picks from the Knicks in the Bridges trade, the Nets have already improved their chances of getting a lottery pick next year. And if they somehow perform even worse next season, they might be able to bag that coveted number 1 pick. And unlike this year, next year’s draft class promises to have a possible generational talent in Cooper Flagg, who is almost a lock to be the first pick.

Being deemed by many experts as the best American-born prospect since Zion Williamson, Flagg has a lot of hype around him at just seventeen years old. Moreover, he has committed to Duke this year and their amazing program will help improve his game significantly and make him more NBA-ready by next summer. Standing at 6’9, Cooper dominated during his time playing for the Montverde Academy, averaging 16.5 points along with over seven rebounds in his senior year. On top of that, he is also a menace on the defensive end and he showed it last season by getting nearly two steals and three blocks each game. Putting up insane numbers, Flagg was also named this year’s Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

And he could very well be the next big thing in the NBA. So, the Nets will probably do anything in their capacity for a chance to bag him next season, and it could all start with Pelinka making a move to acquire Cam Johnson tomorrow.

Before you go, do not forget to check out what Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the alleged Shaq and Kobe Lakers beef. Keep checking this space for more such updates.