Report: Nets among two teams in trade talks for Rockets’ No. 3 pick

The Brooklyn Nets are among two teams in talks with the Houston Rockets for the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, according to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor. 

Reportedly joining the Nets in an attempt to move up to No. 3 are the Memphis Grizzlies, which could lead to two very different end results should the Rockets opt to take one of the two deals.

As O’Connor detailed on The Ringer NBA Draft Show, a potential Rockets-Nets deal could involve Mikal Bridges heading to Houston.

“The Rockets, according to my sources, are listening to trade offers or that No. 3 pick. They’re talking to the Nets, they’re talking to the Grizzlies,” O’Connor said. “They could end up moving down to No. 9 if it’s Memphis or out (of the first round) if it’s Brooklyn and then get back Mikal Bridges.”

While it’s unknown how the framework of the two potential deals could look, a trade that drops the Rockets back to No. 9 from No. 3 would likely not feature a drastic haul of picks and players. But the conversation surrounding Bridges as the center of a trade moving the Nets up to No. 3 would be interesting.

The Nets have remained steadfast in their lack of interest in trading Bridges since acquiring him from the Phoenix Suns in 2022-23. Considering that, it’s apparent that Brooklyn is exceptionally high on one or more of the top prospects. 

But for the Nets to move Bridges, they would likely receive additional noteworthy pieces in a deal, even if it required the Rockets to drop out of the first round.