NEW YORK — With only hours remaining before the NBA Draft, the Nets are still mulling what to do with the No. 3 pick and are actively considering trading to open up more cap space, an NBA source with knowledge said.
“It’s fair to say its [Derrick] Favors or [Wesley] Johnson,” the source said.
The 6-10 Favors had long been the favorite because he plays power forward and the Nets need one, but the 6-7 Johnson, a small forward out of Syracuse, performed well in his workout.
“Favors is still hanging in there. That’s a discussion,” the source said.
Asked when the Nets would decide, the source said, “When they’re on the clock.”
The Nets also own the No. 27 and 31 picks and would like to package a pick and a current player in a trade to add to their $26 million in cap space.
“It’s about everybody trying to free as much cap space as you can,” the source said. “Miami picked up another $4 million yesterday.”
The Heat traded shooting guard Daequan Cook and the No. 18 pick in the draft to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for the No. 32 pick. Cook was due to make about $2.2 million next season, and Miami no longer has the $1.2 million in a salary-cap hold for what was its first-round selection.
“If they can get rid of a player and move one of their picks, I think they will do that,” the source said of the Nets.
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