NETS INSIDER

  The New York Knicks went all in on the wrong star. Actually, Mikal Bridges has never been an All-Star and probably never will be one.  But the fact remains the same, Bridges was not the right move for James Dolan's Knicks. The superstar the Knicks actually needed was former Brooklyn Net savior turned John Hancock, Kevin Durant. There have been multiple reports that the Suns were willing to move off Durant and adding him to the Knicks core might make them a title favorite.  Given his age, Durant may actually cost fewer draft picks than Bridges.  Now, Isaiah Harkenstein will likely go to the highest bidder after the Knicks locked up OG Anunoby to a four-year, $213 million contract. Durant to the Knicks would have been scary hours at MSG, but I guess we'll never know. 

  The Brooklyn Nets have an embarrassment of future first round picks. In fact, they have 13 first rounders between the 2025 and 2031 NBA Drafts. And guess what? More could be on the way. Dorian Finney-Smith is a highly coveted player across the league and he might possibly net Brooklyn at least another future first rounder. Cam Johnson is a valuable 6-foot -8 wing with accuracy from long range. Teams may look to attached a future first round pick to any deal where he's included. Don't forget expiring contracts in Ben Simmons and Dennis Schröder. Teams that are looking to clear salary cap space next summer to make a play for a big free agent, will find those two players'contracts useful.  When all is said and done, Brooklyn may come close to Sam Presti and Oklahoma City's ridiculous draft stock. Nets fans are fully embracing the rebuild and Sean Marks is now well armed to build a long-term contender in Brooklyn. 

  The Brooklyn Nets doled out a four -year, $100 million contract extension for big man Nic Claxton this past week.  Brooklyn's center is entering his fifth year since being drafted with the Nets and will be here for the foreseeable future.  The Nets have a young, dynamic scorer that is due for an extension, Cam Thomas.  Thomas may very well compile serious scoring numbers with the Nets rebuild underway and no bonafide scorers on the roster.  Thomas is entering the final year of his four-year rookie deal. Thomas will turn 23 this year and averages 22.5 points per game last season in an expanded role in the Nets offense. With Thomas likely handed the keys to the team, expecting him to knock on the door or blast through the 30 point per game threshold is realistic.  Sean Marks' intentions are always shrouded in mystery, so he could very well be in talks behind the scenes to lock things up long-term.  Until an official report of an extension comes through...

 The Brooklyn Nets were headed nowhere fast. With Mikal Bridges as the supposed building block of the franchise, the Nets stumbled to a 32-50 record with Bridges looking lackluster throughout stretches of this past season.  Some speculated that the NBA's Iron Man was wearing down with his consecutive games streak reaching ridiculous heights. In hindsight, Bridges joins a list of other NBA divas that simply wanted to take the easy road out and join his Villanova teammates across the East River at MSG.  General manager Sean Marks was being harpooned by his own fan base for not flipping Bridges immediately upon the trade with Phoenix last year to teams that were apparently offering four first round picks. Marks made his fifth coaching hiring in Brooklyn this summer by tabbing Jordi Fernandez as the man in charge.  Nets fans were not sold on Bridges and unsure what superstar wanted to join Brooklyn after the big three exodus of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden...