Let the speculation begin! Besides, no one can stop it! It’s the day before the NBA Draft and only one things seems certain: The top two picks will be Cooper Flagg by the Dallas Mavericks and Dylan Harper by the San Antonio Spurs. After that, rumors are flying!
There’s continuing discussion of the Brooklyn Nets swooping in at the last minute and taking Ace Bailey at No. 3, swapping their No. 8 pick and taking on the onerous contract of nine-time NBA All-Star and six-time member of the All-NBA Team Paul George and perhaps some other emoluments, like the extinguishing of the 1-through-8 protections on the 2027 first rounder that Daryl Morey sent Sean Marks in the 2021 James Harden deal.
We speculated on that and Sam Quinn of CBS, Brett Siegel of Clutch Points and Eric Pincus of Sports Business Classroom all think it’s entirely possible.
I think if someone wants Ace they have to get up 3. It’s a seller’s market for Daryl Morey with three suitors, and each of them has specific advantages:
Washington: shortest pick drop.
New Orleans: Herb Jones is perfect for Philly.
Brooklyn: can take Paul George. https://t.co/FgyAvbDHSs
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) June 24, 2025
It would be a big swing, obviously. Huge in fact. Bailey has been dropping in the draft over maturity issues while the 35-year-old George’s contract, despite his greatness and likely Hall of Fame plaque, has two years left on his mammoth deal plus a team option, Total cost: $162.4 million plus a trade kicker that would add another $24.4 million for a grand total of $186.8 million.
George didn’t have a bad year statistically in 2024-25. He averaged 16.2 points for Philly on 43/36/81 shooting splits but various injuries limited him to 41 games, half the season.
Bailey would likely love the deal. If he had to wait to be picked anywhere after No. 3 — his preferences, per ESPN, are the the Wizards, Hornets and Nets. If for example, he fell to No. 8 where the Nets currently reside, it could cost him $10 million in earning over the course of his four-year rookie deal.
The Nets on the other hand would be giving up most of their precious cap space this summer. George’s contract with the trade kicker would cost the Nets $59.2 million, close to to the upper level of their cap space. George would also reunite with Nets medical director Dr. Riley J. Williams who as Team USA medical director moved quickly to treat him after he suffered a compound fracture of both bones in his lower right leg during a Team USA scrimmage. George credits Williams for saving his career.
Meanwhile, north of the border, there’s speculation that the Nets could take on R.J. Barrett’s deal.
“Is there a potential trade brewing between the Nets and Raptors that could see Barrett and the ninth pick go to Brooklyn? This is something many around the league are keeping an eye on, as there is no guarantee Toronto will keep the ninth pick in this year's draft.” https://t.co/0oviGbfGBp
— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) June 24, 2025
Barrett will make $27.7 million this coming season and is owed $57.3 million over the next two. Like George he didn’t have a bad year, averaging 21.1 points on 47/35/63 shooting splits adding 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists. But like George, he’s missed a lot of games. In the past two years, he’s missed 48 games. That’s a lot for a guy just turned 25. And it was anticipated that his move from New York back to his hometown would add to his production. It hasn’t. Now entering his eighth season, he is what he is.
But it’s speculation and what the Raptors would want in return isn’t laid out? How many of the Nets five picks this year or in the future drafts would they want for a pick in the lottery? Hard to imagine Cam Johnson at age 29 would be an enticement. We shall see.
Indeed a lot of things to be foreseen but we are in the Sean Marks Draft Trade Zone where he has done some of his best work over the years, that 48 hour window either side of when the Commissioner comes to the podium.
In other Draft news, a number of mock drafts have been updated and for the Nets, the news is that if they don’t move up, they’re likely to take Khaman Mulach of Duke (who if he is chosen will be known at KhamM.). The mother of all mocks, ESPN’s final, will come Wednesday.