THE DRAFT
3 Overall Pick: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke
The cornerstone of the rebuild. 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season at Duke as the #1 overall seed. BetMGM A high-IQ, three-level scoring power forward who processes the game at an elite level and makes everyone around him better. Comps: KAT, Kevin Love. Fits perfectly alongside Claxton who gives him the rim protector he needs to thrive.
THE TRADE SIGN & TRADE: Coby White (Charlotte → Brooklyn) Brooklyn sends: Terance Mann + 2026 2nd (via ATL) + 2029 2nd (via DAL) Brooklyn receives: Coby White White's contract — 4 Years / $103.6M | Declining YearSalary2026-27$28.0M2027-28$26.6M2028-29$25.2M2029-30$23.8M A 26-year-old proven lead guard averaging 18.6 points and 4.7 assists this season. Brooklyn's long-term starting point guard. Front-loaded structure pressures Charlotte's books while protecting our flexibility for the 2027 superstar market.
FREE AGENCY SIGNING #1: Tari Eason (offer sheet — Houston RFA) 4 Years / $74M | Fully Guaranteed | Declining YearSalary2026-27$20.0M2027-28$19.0M2028-29$18.0M2029-30$17.0M Elite 3&D wing, 6'8", 24 years old. Career 1.3 steals per game with switchable defense on 1-4. The fully guaranteed structure is the key differentiator from Houston's non-guaranteed offer. Brooklyn's defensive identity piece for the next four years. SIGNING #2: CJ McCollum (UFA — Atlanta) 2 Years / $40M | Year 2 Team Option YearSalaryType2026-27$22.0MGuaranteed2027-28$18.0MTeam Option The veteran engine off the bench. 18.6 points on 45% shooting this season at 34 years old. ESPN Mentors Demin and Traoré, provides instant offense in the second unit, and gives the locker room the experienced voice a young roster desperately needs. If the 2027 superstar market opens, we decline the option and pivot.
INTERNAL DECISIONS Options Exercised
Day'Ron Sharpe — $6.2M, 2yrs Ziaire Williams — $6.2M, 2yrs
Let Walk
Ochai Agbaji (declined option) Jalen Wilson (declined option)
STARTING FIVE Coby White — PG — Lead ball handler, primary scorer Michael Porter Jr. — SF — Primary wing scorer, floor spacer Tari Eason — SG — Defensive stopper, 3&D energy Cameron Boozer — PF/C — Playmaking hub, rebounding, versatility Nic Claxton — C — Defensive anchor, rim protection, lob threat
SECOND UNIT CJ McCollum — SG — Veteran scorer, shot creator, mentor Egor Demin — PG — Playmaker, size, development Nolan Traoré — PG — Young backup guard behind White Ziaire Williams — SF — 3&D wing depth Day'Ron Sharpe — C — Backup center, energy, rebounding
DEVELOPMENTAL SPOT MINUTES Drake Powell — SG Josh Minott — SF Noah Clowney — PF Danny Wolf — PF Ben Saraf — SG
TWO-WAYS Chaney Johnson — PG E.J. Liddell — PFTwo-Way Contracts
Chaney Johnson E.J. Liddell
✅ Under luxury tax (~$187.9M) by ~$26M ✅ Well clear of first apron (~$195.9M) ✅ No hard cap restrictions
CAP PICTURE GOING FORWARD OffseasonKey DecisionsSummer 2027MPJ final year at $40.8M — extend or let walk. McCollum team option ($18M) — pick up or decline based on cap needs. Giannis/Jokic/Curry potentially available.Summer 2028Own first-round pick — major asset. Boozer extension window opens. White, Eason, Claxton all locked in.
THE VISION Year 1 (2026-27): Play-in contention, 42-45 wins. Boozer and Demin develop in a real rotation alongside veterans. Houston swap is protected. Year 2 (2027-28): Legitimate playoff team. Core is a year older, Boozer is hitting his stride, Demin could be a revelation. MPJ decision made. Year 3 (2028-29): Contention window opens with our own first-round pick back and cap flexibility to add. The rebuild is complete. Brooklyn is back.