NBA Notes: Nets, Draft Picks Galore, Suns, Tyus Jones, Warriors

Nets

No one is as well-stocked as the GM Sean Marks and the Nets when it comes to future draft picks. In the event you’re wondering how stacked the Nets are … well, how does 15 incoming first-rounders sound?

It’s been quite a change in approach for Brooklyn, as written by Bobby Marks of ESPN.

“The Nets are an example of how quickly things can change in the NBA. Three seasons ago, a lineup that included James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant had Brooklyn one win away from the conference finals,” Mark wrote.

“But after Harden asked out in 2022, then Irving and Durant a year later, Brooklyn went from a contender to a team with no identity, despite acquiring eight first-round picks in exchange for the three players.”

The Nets sent forward Mikal Bridges to the Knicks this summer, and are said to have made forwards Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith available. Same goes for point guard Dennis Schroder.

Marks broke down the Nets’ looming picks:

• All seven of their own
• Four unprotected from New York (2025, 2027, 2029 and 2031)
• Top-5 protected from Milwaukee (2025)
• Least favorable of Phoenix, Houston (if 11-30) and Oklahoma City (2025)
• Top-8 protected from Philadelphia (2027 or 2028)
• Least favorable of Dallas, Phoenix and Houston (2029)
• Swap rights: Phoenix or New York (2028)

“The Bridges trade has Brooklyn possessing a league-high 15 first-round picks over the next seven years, including four in the 2025 draft. Three of those firsts (Milwaukee, New York and Oklahoma City) could fall later in the first round, in the 20s,” Marks wrote.

Suns

The Suns received high marks for their signing of point guard Tyus Jones, and that includes an “A” from Kevin Pelton of ESPN.

Starting Jones will be an adjustment for the Suns, who did not use a traditional point guard last season, with Bradley Beal and Devin Booker sharing those responsibilities alongside sharpshooter Grayson Allen,” Pelton wrote. “Adding Jones presumably pushes Allen to the bench, which will sacrifice floor spacing for playmaking and organization. (Jones did shoot 41% from 3-point range last season, but is just 37% for his career beyond the arc and averaged 4.8 3-point attempts per 36 minutes as compared to 6.4 for Allen.)”

The Suns also brought in Mike Budenholzer in perhaps the most intriguing coaching hire of the offseason. Some experts predict (again) that Phoenix is the favorite out West.

Pelton, however, is not among those experts.

“I don’t think adding Jones alone pushes Phoenix into the top tier of the Western Conference, populated by last year’s four second-round teams: Dallas, Denver, Minnesota and Oklahoma City,” Pelton wrote. “I do think it puts the Suns above the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans at the head of the line to pounce on home-court advantage should one of the projected top four stumble.”

Warriors

Coach Steve Kerr is among those with the most to prove entering the NBA season, wrote Kendra Andrews of ESPN.

“Kerr and the Warriors have been searching for a winning recipe since their 2022 title — attempting to thread the needle between relying on their veteran core while incorporating younger talent. But finding that balance has been challenging for Kerr, as Golden State missed the playoffs last season and then lost Klay Thompson in free agency shortly after,” Andrews wrote.

“Multiple times last season, Kerr admitted to not knowing who he would turn to on a night-to-night basis, resulting in a revolving door of starting lineups and rotations. Finding a group he can count on is at the top of Kerr’s to-do list this season. After that, it simply comes down to: How good can the Warriors be? For a team that’s used to making the playoffs and winning titles, their barometer for success is rings. And Kerr has to get them back into contention.”