Brooklyn’s offseason cap-clearing strategy shifts toward a potential salary-dump move at the trade deadline, aiming to keep cap space flexible while adding draft capital. The Nets reportedly eye a package involving Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond to ease Philadelphia’s luxury-tax crunch, while potentially reuniting with Drummond if the price fits. Ziaire Williams’ re-signing preserves youth and flexibility for future moves, and the Sixers’ tax concerns could shape a two-pronged approach with expiring deals and Grimes’ RFA status looming large.

Philly could pursue cap relief by moving expiring contracts, yet remains positioned to contend with Embiid anchoring the frontline and George still in the mix, complicating Nets’ leverage. The broader market at the deadline remains active, with Brooklyn showing patience as they balance payroll, draft capital, and the possibility of a Drummond reunion amid the tax calculus.

Brooklyn locked in Day'Ron Sharpe and Ziaire Williams on two-year, team-option deals to keep them in the mix while preserving Bird rights and cap flexibility. Cam Thomas signed a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer to stay in Brooklyn as a dynamic scoring option. Sharpe backs up Nic Claxton, Williams adds versatile wing defense and outside shooting, and the Nets sit with about $16.1 million in cap space, just under the floor, keeping options open for salary-dump moves and more roster tweaks.