The Brooklyn Nets came into this offseason hoping to acquire as much talent as possible, potentially outside of whoever they decide to take in the 2026 NBA Draft. Brooklyn is looking to get the best pick in the draft, which will be determined by the Lottery on Sunday, but they could also try to scour the free-agent/trade market for some talented players.
“Cason Wallace and Jalen Suggs are both defensive menaces who have at times flashed slightly-deeper-than-complementary offensive bags,” Dan Favale wrote for Bleacher Report while discussing some trade targets for the Nets this offseason. Brooklyn is expected to be one of a few teams to have significant cap space so they could shell out money to acquire players that could impact their rotation.
“Each hails from a team that’s barreling toward tough financial decisions that’ll invariably culminate in higher-profile collateral damage,” Favale continued. “The Nets once again have the cap flexibility to facilitate gobs of relief.” While the Nets selected at least four guards in the 2025 NBA Draft, there is some reason to believe that the team could be looking for veteran guards that can show the younger players the ropes while still being capable contributors.
Wallace, 22, averaged 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 43.2% from the field and 35.1% from behind the three-point line for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Suggs, 24, put forth averages of 13.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 43.5% from the floor and 33.9% from three-point land for the Orlando Magic.
Time will tell if the Nets would be willing to trade for players like Wallace or Suggs given that both guys would likely require significant capital in order for their respective teams to move them this offseason. However, if Brooklyn wants to make sure that there is consistent production at either of the guard spots, Wallace and Suggs could be players that fit the bill depending on what general manager Sean Marks is looking for.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Should the Nets target Thunder’s Cason Wallace, Magic’s Jalen Suggs?
Reporting by Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire / Nets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
