The Brooklyn Nets are entering what promises to be a pivotal NBA offseason, and the rumor mill is already heating up. After a challenging 2025-26 season that saw them finish with a 20-62 record—one of the worst in franchise history—the team is looking to turn the page. Despite holding the third-worst record in the league, the Nets landed the No. 6 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but the front office may have bigger plans in free agency.
One name that's generating buzz is Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves. According to a recent report from The Athletic's Dan Woike and Sam Amick, the Nets are among the teams with significant salary cap space this summer, and Reaves is expected to be a top target. As a restricted free agent, Reaves could command a contract worth up to $40 million per season—a figure that only a handful of teams can realistically offer.
The Nets could create nearly $50 million in cap space depending on how they restructure their roster, putting them in a prime position to make a competitive offer. Other teams like the Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks have also shown interest, but they would need to make roster moves to free up the necessary funds. League sources indicate that winning will be a major factor in Reaves' decision, which could give the Nets an edge if they can convince him of their long-term vision.
Reaves, 27, is coming off a career-best season, averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 49.0% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range. In the playoffs, he stepped up even further, posting averages of 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks per contest, though his shooting dipped to 40.7% from the floor and 25.7% from beyond the arc.
However, Nets general manager Sean Marks has consistently emphasized the importance of flexibility in the team's rebuild. Signing Reaves to a massive contract could potentially limit that flexibility in one fell swoop. But with Brooklyn lacking control of their first-round pick in 2027, Marks and the front office may be tempted to go all-in on winning sooner rather than later. Whether they pursue Reaves or another star, the Nets' offseason moves will be crucial in shaping the team's future.