RSS Nets Team Notes

[Brooklyn Nets]

Rising Stars Game: Egor Dëmin takes the floor for the Brooklyn Nets

Jan 7, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (8) celebrates his three point shot against the Orlando Magic to send the game to overtime during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Sometimes progress shows up quietly — it isn’t always flashy and it isn’t always immediate. But since assuming a bigger role, Egor Dëmin has given the Nets every reason to feel confident about their ‘bold’ investment in him.

You can make what you want out of the accolades — he’s 19 years old and pundits said he didn’t have a jump shot at the Draft. We believed them, he’s proving us wrong. He’s averaged 10.8 points on 39.6% shooting from deep — 16.7 points in games which he’s played 30+ minutes. Perhaps it’s more than an accolade. It’s a reflection of how far he’s come, and how quickly he’s adapted to the NBA game. As for Friday… he’s in good hands.

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DID YOU SEE VC… WITH EGOR?​

Egor will represent Team Vince.

View this post on Instagram

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OH AND BY THE WAY…​

We got — not one, not two, not three — but FOUR Nets players on one podcast.

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The Teams​

(Via NBA.com)

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DISCUSSION​

Share thoughts and react, but please be respectful. NetsDaily prides itself on being a safe space for Nets and basketball fans alike to have healthy conversation. Reach out to Anthony Puccio or Net Income with any issues.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-disc...r-dёmin-takes-the-floor-for-the-brooklyn-nets

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Adieu, Montreal! Long Island ends latest Canadian trip with a loss

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - FEBRUARY 5: Trevon Scott #13 of the Long Island Nets scores during the game against the Windy City Bulls on February 5, 2026 at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Long Island Nets returned to the court in suburban Montreal Tuesday night for a game against the Noblesville Boom. This marked the final “home” game for Long Island in Montreal for the season, marking the end of Year 2 of the partnership between BSE Global and Groupe CH. Unfortunately for Long Island, they couldn’t end it on a high note, as they fell to Noblesville, the Indiana Pacers affiliate,121-117.

While Long Island had a sellout attendance on Sunday as they drew in 6,720 fans, that number would take a bit of a dip on Tuesday, for a game with fewer seats open. Nonetheless, Long Island still drew in 4,810 fans on a Tuesday evening, for yet another sellout. This is more than double the average that Nassau Coliseum sees.

Despite starters Nate Williams and Tyson Etienne combining for close to 50 points, Long Island lost this one, bringing their Canada record to 2-2 on the season.

Nate Williams, one of several Long Islanders awaiting Brooklyn’s decision on their open roster spot, led the starters and the team, having another very impressive game. Williams shot the ball well, a respectable 50% to be exact, as well as 66% from deep. Williams finished the game leading the team in scoring, tallying 25 points.

Williams who turns 27 Thurdsday did a lot of his damage from the foul stripe, as he nailed four of his six shots for quite a few extra points. Williams played yet another very solid all-around game. He tallied eight rebounds and six assists in the process, continuing to be both a valuable scorer and a valuable playmaker for Long Island. Williams’ eight rebounds were a team-best. On top of all of those already impressive stats, Williams also picked up a steal, showing his keen eye for the ball. Much of his best work comes as a ballhawk, and while he’s not always picking up steals, he’s always disrupting passes. He’s averaging 1.6 steals per game.

Long Island also had all three of Brooklyn’s two-way players on hand in this one, with Tyson Etienne leading the charge. Etienne picked up 23 points, which was good enough for second on the team. He connected on seven of his 16 shots, including going 5-of-12 from deep.

Etienne also had six rebounds and four assists. He was a major player in just about every aspect of the game. Etienne was also tied for the team lead in steals, as he picked up two.

The second of the three Brooklyn two-ways in attendance for this one, Chaney Johnson, played arguably his best game as a professional yet coming off the bench. He finished with 20 points, and shot the ball very well, 64% to be exact but only 25% from deep. His defensive performance is what stood out. The 23-year-old 6’7” 3-and-D candidate hauled in six rebounds along with two steals and two blocks. Johnson was also a beast on defense. He made every offensive player in Noblesville’s life hell with his ability to guard all five positions.

Malachi Smith also continued to play well. Since being named a starter, we’ve seen the 6’4” point guard Smith do things that fans never really knew that he was capable of. Smith entered this game with a ton of confidence on the back of his double-double on Sunday. Smith has turned into a double-double machine as of late, and Tuesday night was no different.

Smith finished this game with 18 points and a team-best 11 assists. When Nolan Traore got called up to Brooklyn, it left a wide-open spot on Long Island in the backcourt and while Brooklyn may have found their point guard of the future in Traore, Long Island may have done the same thing with Smith. The high school teammate of E.J. Liddell, the 26=year=old Smith also had six rebounds in this one.

However, unfortunately for Smith, not all was peachy in his game. Smith’s biggest downfall once again came in the ball protection department. After turning the ball over five times in Sunday’s showing, Smith once again led the team in turnovers with five on Tuesday. Nonetheless, if he can fix this aspect of his game, Smith can be a force at the point guard spot for any team.

Following his uncharacteristic game on Sunday, Grant Nelson got back on track in this one. In 24 minutes, the most he’s played since coming back from a seven-week layoff 11 games back. Nelson tallied 10 points and shot the ball well, connecting on four of his six shots. missing his only try from deep.

With that said, his game is flourishing as a blocker. Long Island, which had a total of eight blocks on Tuesday, hal of them credited to Nelson was credited with half of that number. This is an aspect of his game that has been under the radar, but when he sees the ball, his timing, athleticism and seven-foot wingspan come into play . The 23-year-old also had six rebounds.

EJ Liddell had a very uncharacteristic game in this one. Liddell, who has been near the top in scoring as of late, was the only starter in Tuesday’s loss to not reach double digits. Liddell tallied nine points while connecting on four of his nine tries. He also missed all three of his tries from deep. Liddell made up for this in other parts of his game, as he finished Tuesday’s match-up with five rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block.

Long Island went down early but slowly recovered in this one. The Boom pushed the lead to as many as 15 points to open the third, but the Nets countered with a 25-8 run to move in front by two late in the period. Noblesville weathered the push and regained a 92-90 lead entering the fourth.

In a tightly contested final frame, the game was tied 108-108 with 4:42 remaining. From there, the Boom executed down the stretch, powered by 10 fourth‑quarter points from M.J. Iraldi as they delivered timely buckets in the closing minutes. Noblesville never surrendered the lead in the fourth, with five Boom players finishing in double figures

Next Up​

The Long Island Nets (12-9) travel back to the United States to face off with their old friend Kennedy Chandler and the Delaware Blue Coats, in Delaware, on Thursday, February 12. This is a matinee game for Long Island as they tip off against Delaware at 11:00 a.m. ET. This game can be watched on the NBA G League website, as well as on the NBA app.

• Boxscore: Noblesville Boom 121, Long Island Nets 117 – G League
• Game Highlights: Noblesville Boom 121, Long Island Nets 117 (Video) – G League

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/longislan...-island-ends-latest-canadian-trip-with-a-loss

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Michael Porter Jr. becoming part of Nets future but a big decision awaits

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 07: Michael Porter Jr. #17 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Barclays Center on February 07, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Michael Porter is relaxing this weekend somewhere in the tropics. One might think that he’s toning down the anxiety from all those trade reports concerning him at the deadline…

MPJ is enjoying the All-Star break with family on vacation pic.twitter.com/wzUGzIEoxW

— The Brooklyn Way (@Jersey2Brooklyn) February 15, 2026

Probably not. It become quite obvious during the weeks leading up to the trade deadline that Michael Porter Jr. was not going anywhere, indeed not available. Brian Windhorst said it. Michael Scotto said it. Shams Charania said it and Jake Fischer said it, all one way or another. While some fans wanted the Nets to trade MPJ for more draft assets — Brooklyn already has 13 firsts and 20 seconds — and/or to deepen the tank.

That was not the way ownership and management looked at the 27-year-old who may not have made the All-Star Game tonight but is having all-Star caliber season: averaging 25.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists while providing leadership to a young team. He has even become a fan favorite after some weird podcast performances last summer. Virtually all his numbers are at career highs. Despite the rumors, it has become more than apparent that while the Nets aren’t going to build around him, they want him around for the good times.

This week, Porter himself in a conversation with Tommy Alter and Cam Johnson of Old Man and the Three, indicated in the strongest terms yet that he wants the same thing and despite enduring something he’s been unfamiliar with — losing — he’s ready for the challenge, happy in Brooklyn:

“I think that we are on the right path to being a good team,” Porter said in one of the lesser quoted lines in the hour-long back-and-fourth. “We’re the youngest team in the league. They got a lot of money over there to spend, and they got the most picks. We’re looking at a high draft pick this next season. So I understand the vision of the organization.”

Porter also told the podcast how he wants to see things through to what he calls “a really dope thing” in Brooklyn.

“Sometimes I have to remind myself of that, because I’ve just won a lot of basketball games, and it can be tough because I wanna play winning basketball and compete. If I’m putting my body through all this recovery, all this work, I wanna see the W at the end of the day. But we are building something, and we’re developing really good young players. It’s not far off from being a really dope thing in Brooklyn.”

It shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. He and Jordi Fernandez have re-bonded after spending five years together in Denver, just before the Nuggets won it all. Fernandez made it clear from the moment the Nets got him — and an unprotected first rounder in 2032 — that he was going to be a big piece going forward for his team.

Now, of course, the Nets are approaching some big decisions. The pundits listed above also shared the belief that Sean Marks & co. plan on making big moves this summer, without details other than MPJ is likely part of them. The first component of those plans has been taking shape since last June’s historic, five first round picks. The trade deadline brought minor adjustments, but with the Draft Lottery on May 10 and the Draft itself six weeks beyond that, things will likely go into high gear including a decision on MPJ’s contract extension.

Porter makes $38.3 million this year. The Nets are also on the hook for $40.8 million next season. But on July 6, the mutual love affair will face a milestone. How much will Joe Tsai be willing to spend to extend MPJ beyond 2026-27. The Nets do have time to decide: through June 30, 2027.

Yossi Gozlan, the free lance capologist who runs capsheets.com and the “Third Apron” podcast, recently laid out the extent of the extension to NetsDaily: a max salary projected at four years, $234 million, beginning in 2027-28. Porter will still be only 29 years old.

“In reality I think he’s looking at something in the 20-25% of the salary cap range.” Gozlan told ND, citing the lack of competition. “As great as he’s been, he’s not going to replicate this production elsewhere since any good team that acquires him probably makes him their second or third option. I could see him getting something closer to four years, $160 million, but it’s way too early to project his next contract.“

For the record, the projected salary cap for 2027-28, is $174.3 million, meaning a starting salary around $44 million.

This is also where the Nets strategy of rebuilding from within comes into play. Next season, the Nets will likely have seven players on rookie deals: Noah Clowney who’ll be on the last year of his rookie deal (and also eligible for an extension starting in 2026-27), the Flatbush Five of Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf in their second or four years, plus whoever they take in the Draft in June. Depending on how high they draft, the total for the seven players, roughly half the team, will be around $40 million, a quarter of the salary cap.

So they’ll have an ability to sign or trade for players AND keep their payroll within reason. (And yes, a lot depends on those seven players, perhaps none more so than the draft pick.)

MPJ of course alluded to that when talking with Alter and Johnson, saying, “we’re developing really good young players.” As for what would make things “really dope in Brooklyn” that no doubt will have to be a superstar who will either develop from all those draft picks or have to be convinced Brooklyn will have enough good players to produce the W’s needed to lure him.

The Nets have kept Porter out of the line-up in recent days, but in discussing his injury, they expressed no real concern about his health which is a long-term issue. He’s been troubled by tendinitis in the same right knee in which he suffered an MCL sprain earlier this season.

“It’s the same knee, but it’s unrelated. Tendonitis is something athletes deal with in different parts of the body,” said Fernández. “It’s good for him to take this game, see how he feels and get him back feeling great. That’s the most important thing. Nothing to be concerned about. A lot of guys deal with it, but it’s good that Mike can focus on his body right now.”

In the meantime, he’s taking time off with the family…

MPJ is enjoying the All-Star break with family on vacation pic.twitter.com/wzUGzIEoxW

— The Brooklyn Way (@Jersey2Brooklyn) February 15, 2026

• Did Michael Porter Jr. Hint at Long-Term Future with Nets? – Sameer Kumar – Sports Illustrated

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-anal...part-of-nets-future-but-a-big-decision-awaits

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Nate Williams signs with Golden State Warriors on two-way deal

UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 2: Nate Williams #19 of the Long Island Nets drives to the basket during the game against the Grand Rapids Gold on February 2, 2026 at The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Marcus Stevens/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Long Island Nets lost a big piece of their team on Monday afternoon as wing Nate Williams officially signed with the Golden State Warriors on a two-way deal. This comes as Williams has been one of Long Island’s biggest scorers and playmakers.

Williams becomes the first Long Island player to be called-up for a two-way deal this season…

The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer was first with the news…

The Golden State Warriors are signing Nate Williams of the Long Island Nets to a two-way contract, according to league sources.

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 16, 2026

A league source told NetsDaily that Williams had hoped to remain with the Nets at the NBA level, but ultimately planned to pursue the best available opportunity for him. “He can really help out a playoff team,” the source said. Now Williams gets the chance to do just that as the Warriors control their own destiny, sitting with a 29-26 record.

While Williams would have been a solid player on both ends of the court with Brooklyn, his turning 27 years old this weekend put him outside of Brooklyn’s timeline. The Nets’ average age, a little more than 23 years old, is youngest in the NBA. The Warriors who still see themselves as a contender got a very talented shooter.

After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, Williams joined the Utah Jazz for the 2022 NBA Summer League. He would later sign an Exhibit 10 contract with the Jazz before being waived and ending up on the Salt Lake City G League team.

Since then, Williams has bounced around, playing a total of 47 games at the NBA level, starting four of them, across three seasons from 2022 through 2025. He played five games for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022-23, then the Houston Rockets, averaging 3.3 points in 7.4 minutes per contest.

He also appeared in 81 regular-season G League games, starting 62 of them, across three seasons with the Salt Lake City Stars and Rio Grande Valley Vipers. After Williams was waived by the Rockets in July, he found himself on the South Bay Lakers roster. It’s safe to say that Williams has become a bit of a mainstay on the West Coast, despite being a Sag Harbor, Long Island native.

When Williams was asked about his development so far this season, Williams told NetsDaily, “I feel good, I feel really good … I feel confident. I’m just continuing to work every day, take care of my body, and put in the work behind the scenes that nobody sees. I just want to continue to try and perform and get this team to win some games.”

Long Island fans saw a connection built between Williams and Yuri Collins before Collins left to go and play overseas in Israel. Williams and Collins who had been the G League’s top playmaker were both G League veterans that Brooklyn acquired this summer to help with the rookies’ adjustment as they cycled through the Island. Collins had some very nice words to say about Williams.

“Nate’s just one of those guys who knows how to play basketball,” Collins told ND. “You don’t have to say too much to him. He’s an older guy. He’s played in the NBA and has a lot of minutes in the G League as well. A lot of our stuff is stuff we don’t even have to talk about, it’s just kind of our experiences coming together and making plays like that on the court.”

Nate Williams on his performance tonight, being the only player to average at least two offensive rebounds, steals, and three pointers made per game, the final Brooklyn Nets two way deal, and his development.@NetsDaily #StrongIsland #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/WgWNGFWLr1

— Scott Mitchell (@Scott44Mitchell) December 2, 2025

For the remainder of the season, Williams shared a few goals he had in mind with ND: “Shooting, playmaking, just trying to be a complete player for this team and a leader for this team. Not be emotional. Not get down on my teammates. Try to encourage my teammates, and just be a good teammate and a good player. Moreso, be a good teammate. I put a lot of work in. I’m not worried about the basketball part of it; that’ll take care of itself. But, just be a good teammate, and try my hardest to help this team win.”

Williams has averaged 17.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 steals in his 22 regular-season games for the Long Island Nets. These numbers are fairly on par with what he did throughout the first 13 games in the Tip-Off Tournament, where he averaged 19.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.2 steals.

In his final game for Long Island before the All-Star break, Williams showed up in a big way. The New York native (Rochester) separated himself head and shoulders from everyone else. Williams finished the game connecting on 12 of his 23 shots, for better than 50%, and went 3-of-9 from deep for a huge 30-point game.

Williams impressive day didn’t stop there. He hauled in seven rebounds, as well as picking up two assists. Now, he has his chance to play alongside one of the NBA’s greatest shooters of all time, Steph Curry.

Williams signing opens up a G League standard spot for Long Island, but it doesn’t yet resolve Brooklyn’s open roster spot or the secondary moves if Brooklyn makes a call-up of their own from Long Island.

For a long time this season, one had to figure that a two-way deal was going to be given to Grant Nelson or Nate Williams. Now, it seems like the Warriors have answered that question for Long Island. Now, should Brooklyn want to elevate E.J. Liddell to a standard deal, a two-way spot would be Nelson’s to lose. Not to mention, Brooklyn can also use a 10-day deal here and there for tryouts of sorts.

All in all, this is a fantastic move for Williams. It’s a move that’s well-deserved. However, this will put Long Island in a less-than-ideal spot as the G League playoffs are right around the corner. Who steps up now? Long Island lost arguably its best scorer and biggest playmaker; however, all hope is not lost. The Long Island team now revolves around their NBA assignees, their three two-ways and Alabama seven-footer Grant Nelson who has repeatedly said his goal in a two-way slot. .

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/longislan...ns-with-golden-state-warriors-on-two-way-deal

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

ESSAY: 10 years on for Sean Marks and what’s next?

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Sean Marks 10-year tenure as GM of the Brooklyn Nets may be most easily understood through a series of snippets from the NetsDaily archives:

June 30, 2019 … 5:13 p.m. ET … The Clean Sweep

In a coup with few historic precedents, the Brooklyn Nets will sign Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan in the next few weeks becoming the big winners of free agency 2019…

Sources: Durant will sign a 4-year, $164M deal with the Nets; Irving will sign 4-years, $141M.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2019

February 9, 2023, 1:34 a.m. ET … End of the Big Three….

The inability of the Nets to capitalize on their signings of KD and Kyrie — and the subsequent trade for James Harden — now becomes a managerial failure of the first order with first Harden, then Irving and finally Durant asking out.

“This is the greatest failure in NBA history,” said Zach Lowe on NBA Today without exaggeration. One league source told NetsDaily Wednesday that a housecleaning is likely to follow at HSS Training Center this off-season.

June 25, 2024, 10:46 p.m. ET … Rebuild!

NetsWorld turned upside down.

Mikal Bridges, the centerpiece of the Brooklyn Nets trade of Kevin Durant a year and a half ago, has been traded to the New York Knicks in one of two monster moves that has sent Brooklyn into a full rebuild. In the other, the Nets and the Houston Rockets executed a swap of picks that will bring two of the Nets trade assets from the James Harden trade back to Brooklyn. adding to the rebuild.

The trades are the latest in a series of moves that have taken the Nets from being the odds-on NBA championship favorite in 2021-22 to a team whose short-term future looks bleak.

Up, down, up again?


It’s tempting to recount a long list of successes and failures over the decade, but why? The Nets success, failure, even identity are tied to Sean Marks, his skills, his personality. He has been the Nets, for good or bad. That is undeniable after a decade in the job in the NBA … maybe in most jobs. He has gone from having been personally and emotionally thanked on the concourses of Barclays Center to having some of those same fans demand his firing on social media and having pundits literally laugh at his draft choices on national TV. At present, there is no indication — none— that his relationship with Joe Tsai, the principal owner, is anything but solid. His contract, whose terms have never been publicly discussed, appears to have one more season to run after this one. Think continuity, continuity, continuity. Joe Tsai does.

It’s also tempting to grade the tenure, or grade where the Nets stand currently, maybe even grade each transaction, then add it all up. Not much value there either. Everyone from fans to pundits knows what happened (see above) and their opinions aren’t going to change. It’s clickbait to be discussed and forgotten. Besides, there are plenty of pundits who have and continue to grade Marks.

Just this morning, Sam Quinn of CBS Sports did his semi-annual rankings of NBA front offices, apparently unaware of the anniversary. He ranked Marks and the Nets at No. 15. That put them just behind the Miami Heat (Pat Riley) and just ahead of the Detroit Pistons (Trajan Langdon, his former acolyte!) Like many who believe in Marks, both inside and outside the organization, Quinn’s analysis is somewhat defensive.

The Nets are the team I most consistently find myself defending in arguments about these rankings. A lot of the criticism Brooklyn’s front office gets is unfair. Sean Marks took over a team without control over its first-round picks, built it into a championship favorite, and then watched it fall apart because of a pandemic. I’m not punishing a general manager for COVID, and if I were to punish general managers over abrupt James Harden trade requests, we’d be dinging a huge chunk of this list. Besides, they’ve rebounded quite nicely.

And Rick Carlisle, as good a head coach as there is in the NBA right now, had kind words for the Nets future just last week.

“They do a great job of developing young players here. Jordi’s been really top of the heap with what they’ve done the last couple of years. [Nolan] Traore’s gonna keep getting better. [Egor] Dëmin’s getting better. Their young bigs have progressed a lot over the last couple of years. The future here is very bright.”

That’s better than any pundit’s take!

What it ALL means is that GMs, including Marks, are judged on one thing: “what have you done for me lately?” and “lately” in the context of multi-year rebuild is very very subjective. The Nets are tanking or “playing the probabilities” as some might say and it shows in the (losing) record. On the other hand, Marks & co. have followed the time-honored rebuilding path — acquire good young players and draft picks, optimize cap space and otherwise be patient just as he did in the first rebuild in hopes of getting back to the promised land. And never, ever, minimize luck, good or bad.

Brian Lewis recently interviewed Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman, one of Marks’ biggest supporters (and a GM with similar longevity and legions of fans who think he too has stayed too long.) He advised fans to think about what Marks has done once already, believing he can do it again.

“Process is something that is important, but doesn’t guarantee ultimate outcomes,” Cashman told The Post. “Sean has proven he can build a winner. He’s done that. Ultimately they didn’t get to the promised land with the championship, but he did everything lined up to put himself and put themselves in a position to do so. And I know he’s capable of doing that again.

“That’s what he’s going through right now in the fact that Joe Tsai — one of the brightest minds of our generation — sees the talent in Sean to stay invested in [him] to lead that operation. I think it’ll pay off for him in the end, and pay off for the Brooklyn Nets, because Sean is someone that you’d rather have on your team than put in the open market for somebody else to benefit from.”

In our own discussions, we heard that last line more than once from professionals much of what Lewis heard from Cashman and others. He’s very smart and has a record better than most when it’s all added up, but there are others who take more tempered approach. Smart yes but at the same time subject to big mistakes brought on by hubris is one criticism.

The Nets, said one, have had a general tendency to hang on to players too long, often have too high an asking price. Then, those players “fuck up the locker room” before being traded on the cheap or cut. That list is long, but can be repeated by any Nets fans who’s worn black-and-white and felt black-and-blue: Ben Simmons, Spencer Dinwiddie, James Harden, Cam Thomas and of course, Kyrie Irving. (No we are not re-litigating Kyrie’s exit.)

That he said has let to volatility and plain old-fashioned chaos, something players like to avoid.

On the other hand, said the same source, the Nets — Marks and Tsai — know what to do when the big decision arrives, arguing they can “kill” at the right moment, noting what they got for Kevin Durant and Mikal Bridges, trades that ultimately led to a haul of more than 10 draft picks and some ancillary assets.

It’s all part of the way Marks looks at things, say those who know him: don’t dwell on the failures or successes. Move on. He is not one to replay his failings over and over in his head. These are sunk costs. And he doesn’t care that someone, whether Brian Windhorst or Bill Simmons or Jake Fischer, doesn’t like what he did. He has a thick skin and an ability to shut out what he dismissively calls “noise.”

“One thing I really appreciate about him is he never looks back” Irina Pavlova, the Mikhail Prokhorov executive ran the Nets and led the search committee that recommended him, told Lewis. “Once something’s gone, ‘Boom. What’s next?’ He builds from there, which is great, especially for a team like the Nets where there’s something going wrong all the time.”

Indeed, Marks understands it is a business, something he learned as a player, toiling for seven NBA clubs and one in Poland. He in fact holds the NBA record for fewest minutes — less that 10 per game — in a career lasting 10 years or longer. He’s also worked with two of the most successful businessmen ever, ones who earned their fortunes in the cut-throat post-Communist Russia and still-Communist but wild west economically China. He’s not a babe in the woods.

He is charismatic, helped by that daunting 7-foot visage, but often hubris has taken over, say critics. He may not be a dictator but he knows what he wants is a common refrain … and a big part of that is loyalty. In turn, he has a reputation as a player-centric GM willing to assist with all manner of amenities. Said one league source, “every team says it’s player centric, but only about four actually are. And the Nets certainly are one of them.”

Historically, his selection of head coaches, arguably the most impactful decision any GM ever makes, has been the weakest lines on his resume’. At this point, it seems like Marks has finally found his coach. It seems everyone from owner to fans to players to competitors believe that Jordi Fernandez is the real deal. Hiring him was another one of those “killer” moves the league source described. Multiple teams had interviewed Fernandez but decided for whatever reason, passed But before he hired Fernandez, Marks record was not so good, the thinnest entry on his resume’.

He chose a development expert in Kenny Atkinson, who did his primary job but then was dumped. The official press release back in 2020 said the departure was by mutual agreement but by the time Atkinson returned to the head coaching job in Cleveland last year he made it very clear that he was “fired” and that it still stung. He said he was told that he lost his job because didn’t match what the Nets wanted in the treatment of “superstars.” Steve Nash, who Marks had long wanted in some capacity before hiring him to replace Atkinson, was a valiant attempt to match a superstar coach with a superstar team, but one of those superstars let it be known he wanted Nash — and Marks — fired and the x’s and o’s? Well, that was an issue. Jacque Vaughn, on the other hand, is seen in less positive terms. Much less positive.

Indeed one big issue, intimately related to those coaching issues, was his and the organization’s willingness to do the bidding of those superstars. Kyrie didn’t think the team needed a coach. He or KD could do it, he said. KD wanted Ime Udoka even after he had been suspended by his previous employer for harassment. Durant also didn’t like a lot of the supporting roster, didn’t like how the roster was constructed. Harden remained out of shape virtually the entire time he was on the roster, his attention devoted more to strip clubs than weight rooms. Among each other, there always seemed an uneasy truce.

A lot of that has been seemingly been rectified in public actions. There’s plenty of evidence that they are going for the homegrown, high character player. It’s not just lip service. The historic five first rounders spoke to that, their youth, their character, their willingness to make things work. Marks & co. apparently learned their lesson. No need to call about Ja Morant! No more short term fixes. No more chances.

As B.J. Johnson, Marks No. 2 said in the SCOUT docu-series produced by the Nets internal media, “A lot of work went into what Brooklyn is going to be in the future. Regardless of who comes in here, we’re not going to change. They’ve got to adjust to us. Overall, that’s what it’s about here.”

More than a subtle admission that the previous plan — go for it all, spend wildly, throw together the best of the best and hope for a ring — wasn’t the right choice. They will have to find a superstar or superstars to bring them back into contention. Maybe it’s whoever they get lucky enough to get in the lottery come May 10. Maybe it’s someone who is attracted by the progress they see in the young kids and Jordi Fernandez and of course, there’s always the bright lights and big city of New York. If you can make it here … you know the rest.

Overall, the current report card is mixed, but generally positive as Carlisle alluded. Lessons get learned.

The development operation is seen as a solid, better than most. One league source discussing one of the Net recent pick-ups told ND that the player may not have shown much with his previous team “but he has a chance with Nets development staff.”

The performance team retains a very good reputation as well despite a lot of turnover, essentially four performance directors in four years and some recent drama. The medical team is staffed by the Hospital for Special Surgery. None better. The scouting staff is reportedly the largest in the NBA and Marks just recently added the Oklahoma City Thunder’s director of scouting. That can’t hurt. Its success of course will take some time to define.

The “soft science” part of the staff — analytics, capology, etc. — is also seen in a positive light, but again there’s been turnover. There are some rising stars like Kory Jones and Kyle Hines. Both are nominally assistant GMs for Long Island but play bigger roles than that, Jones in Brooklyn’s basketball operations, Hines in scouting and development. Makar Gevorkian is the capologist who’s helped Marks through some of the team’s bigger moves.

Now, the big challenge for the Nets GM: the next 10 years. Whether he’s around or not, his imprint is going to on this team, his team for a long time. Brooklyn is now younger after the deadline than they were before and they were the youngest in the league by a not insignificant margin. Their draft pick in June will also be a teenager. But for all the preparation, it’s time to execute. As one league source told NetsDaily, the right draft choice alone could mean the difference of years.

Every indication is that the rebuild portion of the team’s overall strategy is now nearing an end. Now, it’s build rather than rebuild. Expect aggressive moves across the board.

As we have repeated ad infinitum, they have every possible asset needed to be aggressive, the 33 draft picks (10 first rounders and 20 second rounders that can be traded whenever they want,) perhaps $50 million in cap space and as Sam Quinn noted, an owner willing to spend. It should be noted, as Bloomberg News did, that about half of Tsai’s net worth is now sports-related and the Brooklyn Nets are the centerpiece. He wants to win. He will accept no less.

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Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-feat...say-10-years-on-for-sean-marks-and-whats-next

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

EXCLUSIVE: Nolan Traoré is focused on a long, successful, career … sans injury

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 23: Nolan Traore #88 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on January 23, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Boston Celtics won 130-126. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Brooklyn Nets have been a top 10 team in salary dedicated to injured players during five of the past seven NBA seasons. In three of them, they’ve been in the top two. Last season, the Nets set a franchise record for games missed to injury/illness at 374, second only to the 76ers 397.

Sure, those stats loses some stock when you remind yourself they paid Kevin Durant $37 million during the 2019-20 campaign, fully knowing he wouldn’t suit up for a single game during it. Whatever you want to call Kyrie Irving’s imposed absence due to the New York City vaccine mandate factors in here too. Uncle Drew made $35.3 million in 2021-22, appearing in just 29 games.

But even if you’re willing to concede that, there’s still no arguing against the idea that the injury bug likes to dine in Brooklyn, and not at Peter Luger. It’s nobody’s fault, but that doesn’t make it any less unfortunate.

However, this year, the Nets have been relatively healthy. At the All-Star break, they’re second-to-last in cumulative injured salary, per Spotrac.

We always knew this season would be a turning point for the Nets. Brooklyn installed five rookies via the draft over the summer, becoming the first NBA team to ever select five players in the first round. Good or bad, their first steps are also the first tangible ones in a new era for the Nets — one no longer defined by star players of the 2010s, the crushing expectations that come with them, and the amplified misery that follows when one inevitably gets hurt.

Nolan Traoré, the 19th pick in last year’s draft, is part of that rookie crew … and part of the program to reduce time lost. He’s fully embracing both sides of the responsibility that comes with shaping a new age for the Nets, on the court and off.

As part of that, he’s big on preventive performance, so to speak, trying to limit the games he loses at this level. He’s had a balky knee in France. Both he and the Nets don’t want to see that replicated in the NBA. It’s a big if not much publicized part of his development and how the Nets have been treating their young players.

He’s not alone in his praise among the Nets young players both in Brooklyn and Long Island. Grant Nelson sat seven weeks to clear up his knee issues, which he said he’s had been an issue since he was 20.

“I think it really shows how good the performance staff is here,” Nelson told ND last month. “And what they’ve done to get me back on the court and be ready for when I get back on the court.”

Brooklyn selected Traoré with their second first rounder out of France in June, then paid his French team a six-figure buyout fee. He logged eight minutes on opening night, but spent much of the team’s first two months of the season in the G-League. Early on at the pro level, he looked uncomfortable, off-pace, and without command of the offense. He needed to develop a tad more. So, the Nets sent him to a place where he could.

Since coming over from Long Island in mid-December, it feels like Traoré’s come much farther than Nassau County, 20 miles to the east. The young ball-handler now resembles a confident, professional offensive facilitator starting to find his footing while not sacrificing that awesome speed…

Nolan Traoré with a nice slow-then-go take to burst past Anthony Black pic.twitter.com/aSZecBLxku

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) February 6, 2026

He’s also shooting north of 40% from three since mid-January. The sample gets bigger and better all the time.

But as mentioned, while looking to give Nets fans something fresh to cheer for, Traoré’s also looking to reverse course when it comes to the injury department.

“Recovery isn’t just downtime for me,” he told NetsDaily. “It’s a non-negotiable part of my job…Staying ahead of the curve with recovery and constantly adapting my routines is how I plan to build a long and productive career in this league. Ultimately, success is being just as physically capable in year ten as I was in year one.”

Traoré’s focus on his body runs deep as blood. His brother, Armel Traoré, has dealt with hand, quad, ankle, and back injuries while playing professionally in France over the past four years and during a brief stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. Nolan named Armel as the biggest influence on his approach to longevity.

“Having played in the NBA and faced his own battles with injuries, he has been an invaluable source of advice on what it actually takes to stay healthy at this level,” Traoré said. “Seeing his journey firsthand made me realize early on that talent alone isn’t enough if you aren’t available to play.”

That said, Traoré’s also seen a similar level of dedication to long-term health in his new home(s). He mentioned he’s relied “heavily” on Brooklyn’s medical staff and noted that rather than applying a one-size-fits-all program, the Nets integrate their professional expertise with a player’s personal goals to develop training and recovery plans. Traoré said he appreciates that collaborative approach more than anything. He also said Brooklyn’s helped him better listen to his body, which he claims is key.

“The most important lesson I’ve gathered from both my brother and the staff is that you have to be your own biggest advocate when it comes to health,” he said. “It is about understanding my body and its limits while using every tool at my disposal to push those limits safely.”

Traoré listed pace and the sheer physicality of the NBA as the biggest training and recovery-related factors he’s had to adjust to since coming over from France.

“Even coming from France, where the game is fast, the NBA is even faster,” he said. “I’ve had to become much more proactive rather than reactive. It’s no longer just about recovering after I feel fatigued; it’s about preparing my body days in advance to absorb that nightly impact. In this league, you can’t just play through the grind; you have to stay ahead of it.”

Traoré’s typical recovery days focus on targeting stretching and soft tissue work. He also mentioned he prioritizes mental clarity with consistent, quality sleep, as well as disciplined nutrition and hydration.

Then on the court, Traoré also noted he wears a custom brace that gives him a unique blend of support and flexibility. If you haven’t seen Traoré play, trust me, the ability to stop and go in an instant is a pretty important part of his game.

“Because my game relies on being shifty and change-of-direction, I can’t afford to feel restricted,” he said. “It’s the only brace I’ve found that feels completely natural and fluid while I’m moving, but activates instantly to protect my ankle the moment there’s a risk of injury. It gives me the confidence to play my style without compromise.”

Traoré again being strategic with when he takes off. Fellow rookie Egor Dëmin benefits this time. pic.twitter.com/aR3K8twesL

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) February 6, 2026

It’s all part of something more crucial to Traoré than any dime he’ll drop, triple he’ll splash, or painted area he’ll touch — to be ready not just for Brooklyn’s next game, but its next one hundred, and so on.

“Injury prevention is essential to having a long, successful career, and as an athlete, this is my ultimate goal,” Traoré reiterated. “Talent isn’t everything; the small, disciplined choices you make every day to take care of your body now at a young age are what determine your ceiling. I see this as being proactive and thinking years ahead rather than waiting for a problem to occur before addressing it.”

Traoré is starting to reap the benefits of his labor as well. Since returning from Long Island, he’s appeared in 27 games for the Nets, only missing two due to an illness, not an illness. He’s logged over 30 minutes in six of his last nine contests. In his most recent one, he became the first Nets rookie with at least 20 points and eight assists in a game since Terrence Williams did so on April 9, 2010.

“I define a successful career by longevity and consistency, specifically how long you can sustain your performance at an elite level,” Traoré went on. “To remain on the court for many years, you have to be disciplined about how you treat your body from the very start of your professional journey. It’s not just about the number of games played. It’s about the quality of those minutes and your ability to bounce back night after night.”

Dialogue today around player availability can easily spill into arguments over load management and the NBA’s recently imposed 65-game threshold for award eligibility. It’s a tiresome, static conversation that continues to flood First Take airwaves and serve as the backbone for the “this league is soft” narrative.

However, Traoré simply remains concentrated on being there for this teammates, and, of course, the fans.

“Players today have a greater responsibility than ever to use the advanced tools and medical resources available,” he said. “Meeting league benchmarks like the 65-game threshold isn’t just about award eligibility; it’s about being reliable for your teammates and the fans.”

Even, and maybe especially, when you’re 19.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-feat...ed-on-a-successful-long-career-without-injury

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Nets vs. Cavs preview: Back in action

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a few days off, NBA basketball is back. The Brooklyn Nets were off for NBA festivities last weekend and return to action hoping to speed through the rest of the regular season. When we last saw them, they blew an 18 point lead and lost to the Indiana Pacers on February 12.

The opponent tonight is trying to break into the top tier. The Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to get back to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2018. They’re within striking distance of the No. 2 seed and helped the cause after beating up the Washington Wizards on February 11. They’re on a five game winning streak.

Where to follow the game​

YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio. Tip after 7 PM.

Injuries​

Nic Claxton sprained his ankle at practice on February 18. He’s out tonight. Josh Minott, newly acquired from the Celtics at the deadline, is with Long Island as is Ben Saraf and the three two-ways. They’re playing at noon today in Birmingham vs. the Pelicans’ G Leaguers, the Squadron. Game can be seen on the G League website.

No Max Strus or Nae’Quan Tomlin.

The game​

Cleveland won the first meeting in October.

Without Claxton, the Nets will turn to Day’ron Sharpe in the starting five. Sharpe has shown himself to be a more than capable big in the NBA and will start for as long as Clax is out. He’ll be matched up on the inside with our old friend Jarrett Allen. Like many of the Cavs, Allen is going to need to exceed expectations in the postseason if they want to get to their first Conference Finals without LeBron James on the team since 1992. Allen and Evan Mobley are tasked with owning the boards and finishing at the rim.

Nolan Traore will get a workout tonight. He’ll be matched up with the amazing Donovan Mitchell and will do what he can to slow him down. Mitchell is one of the leaders in drives to the rim per game and is still one of the game’s best finishers at the rim. Put it all together and it equals a career best 29 points per game on the season. For Traore, games like this will serve as a great measure of his growth and push him to be even better going forward.

This is the first leg of a back-to-back for the Nets. When they’re done, they immediately head out for a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. The schedule makers certainly aren’t making it easy on the Nets, that’s for sure.

And with this being the first leg of the b2b, Michael Porter Jr will play tonight. MPJ has been out since February 7 with right knee tendinitis. The rest should do him plenty of good and the Nets will turn to him to make things happen against this Cavs defense. In all likelihood he’ll sit in Oklahoma City so there shouldn’t be too many restrictions on him tonight. MPJ scored 31 points in the first meeting between these teams way back in October, and Jordi Fernandez will look to

Player to watch: James Harden​

Hey, we know him! James Harden was doing well with the LA Clippers as they surged back up the standings. However, they weren’t going to give him a contract extension, so he left and is here. Somebody got to asking James about loyalty, and here’s what he had to say:

"The whole quote unquote loyalty thing, I think it's overrated."#Cavs James Harden on why it's become the norm for guys to play on multiple teams throughout their career: pic.twitter.com/fykczB5DZQ

— Leah Doherty (@LeahDohertyTV) February 12, 2026

There’s that.

On the court, Harden hopes to be the last piece to a championship puzzle for Kenny Atkinson and friends. A big midseason move like this causes everyone to make some changes so the team is comfortable with the new reality. How have the Cavs been doing on that front? Pretty well, so far. From Brendon Ulen of Fear the Sword:

“We have already seen him play faster with the Cavs. But will he move more off-ball? Will he keep the defense in rotation, or will he let it reset and probe it himself when the ball returns to him? If he allows defensive resets, will this mute the impact of the motion-related leaps Jaylon Tyson and Merrill have made? These are all open questions.

The Cavs could attempt to exclusively play their motion-heavy style and fit James in. The man can do it if he chooses. They could also embrace Harden-ball and effectively run two systems, switching between them based on personnel and situation, especially when Harden is on the floor without Mitchell. One system or two? The correct answer to this question is unknown. Having a clear approach is critical though. The Cavs have the rest of the regular season to figure out what they believe is best.“

This is a make-or-break season for a lot of the Cavaliers, and Harden’s play will determine a lot about what Cleveland’s future will look like.

Egor Dёmin is back from Los Angeles and an appearance in the Rising Stars game. Being in the game was a great opportunity for Dёmin to rub shoulders with some of the game’s brightest young stars and show that he belongs. With the Nets looking to the future, Egor has show that he will be a big part of it. The Cavs allow teams to shoot 37.2% from three point range, third worst in the NBA (the Nets are second worst so prepare to see a bushel of three point attempts tonight!). Finding easy looks for Dёmin will help determine this one and if he can heat up early, it will keep the Nets in it against one of the better teams in the league.

From the Vault​

Ones in the air for Jesse Jackson

More reading: Fear the Sword, SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets
• Cleveland Cavaliers Game Notes – Cleveland Cavaliers
• Cleveland plays Brooklyn, looks for 6th straight win – AP
• Nets’ Nic Claxton will miss Cavaliers game after spraining ankle in practice – Jared Schwartz – New York Post
• Nets continuing rookies’ development in second half comes with important Jordi Fernandez question – Jared Schwartz – New York Post
• The Nets are on notice for their tanking ways, but they can’t let the NBA’s threats stop them ($) – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• With 29 Games left, here’s what matters most for the Nets ($) – C.J. Holmes – New York Daily News
• Nets’ Nic Claxton sidelined after spraining ankle during practice – Erik Slater – Clutch Points

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-game-previews/106097/nets-vs-cavs-preview-back-in-action

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Ben Saraf, Josh Minott shine in Long Island’s first win after break, 121-103

PORTLAND, ME - November 15: Ben Saraf #77 of the Long Island Nets drives to the basket during the game against the Maine Celtics on November 15, 2025 at Portland Expo Center in Portland, Maine. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE(Photo by China Wong/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Long Island Nets returned to the court for the first-time after the All-Star break for a matinee game with the New Orleans Pelicans G League team, the Birmingham Squadron in Alabama. On the backs of Ben Saraf and Josh Minott’s strong play, Long Island came away with the win in this one, 121-103.

In fact, the G League Nets looked good all-around as Long Island moved up to 14-9 on the season, two games out of first in the East with 11 to play. Their 7-3 record over the last 10 is tied for second among the 31 G League teams…

Ben Saraf scored a team-high 18 points while matching his NBA G League career highs with 8 assists and 6 rebounds in Long Island’s win over the Squadron pic.twitter.com/JRefcedSjU

— Long Island Nets (@LongIslandNets) February 19, 2026

Saraf made his return to Long Island after spending some time with the big club. Saraf earned a call-up to Brooklyn in January and played in ten games. Saraf had some good showings up in Brooklyn, especially in Brooklyn’s last game before the All-Star break, when he picked up 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Saraf looked to build on that strong performance, and he did just that on Thursday afternoon.

Saraf led the team in scoring, tallying 18 points. He connected on seven of his 13 attempts, including shooting 50% from deep. This marked one of Saraf’s strongest shooting performances on Long Island, outside of that 40-point performance back in December. Saraf was a multi-tool player too in this one, as he tied career-highs, hauling in six rebounds and tallying eight assists.

Turnovers remain a bit of a negative for Saraf, as he once again was tied for the team lead in this one with three. However, this was a step forward compared to the six, seven, or sometimes eight turnovers we’ve seen earlier in the season…

Making his Long Island debut, Josh Minott knocked down 5 triples at Birmingham to set his NBA G League career high for made 3-pointers in a game pic.twitter.com/nFxk3mFJno

— Long Island Nets (@LongIslandNets) February 19, 2026

Josh Minott made his Long Island and Nets debut in this one. The 23-year-old was traded to Brooklyn for $110,000 in cash considerations on deadline day. Brooklyn assigned Minott to Long Island two days ago to continue to develop under head coach Mfon Udofia.

Minott was on a tear in this one. He connected on five of his 10 shots, including 5-of-9 from deep. Minott’s five triples were his NBA G League career-high for made three-pointers in a game. He finished tied for second on the team, scoring 17 points. Minott grabbed a single rebound and registered two assists, two steals and two blocks. This was a very promising first game at the Long Island level for Minott who is seen as a 3-and-D prospect. The Nets hold a $2.5 million team option on Minott for next season.

Malachi Smith was tied for second on the team in scoring, tallying 17 points. The 6’4” combo guard had another good shooting performance, connecting seven of his 11 shots. He continued to be one of the team’s most consistent all-around players, garnering four rebounds and five assists while turning the ball over three times.

Smith has been averaging roughly three turnovers a game since he was given the starting job with three games of five. It’s his biggest glaring issue. It could be a reason why he hasn’t yet been given a chance with a team on a two-way deal. He’s been playing very well, but the turnovers continue to be a killer.

Grant Nelson once again had a good game …. on minutes restrictions. Nelson played 25 minutes, which was the most he’s played since returning from a seven-week rehab for knee soreness. He was once again the starter with the fewest minutes.

Nelson, who went undrafted out of Alabama in June, put up 14 points, shooting the ball over 50%. Nelson, remaining one of the team’s best shooters, also shone in other aspects of the game, as he hauled in four rebounds, picked up two assists, and most impressively had yet another block. Blocking has become a big part of Nelson’s game. His ability to read shots and time a block cannot be understated. He’s been doing very well, but with his minutes restriction, a two-way spot could be off the table.

Tyson Etienne was tied with Nelson for third on the team in points, with 14. Etienne also had three rebounds and five assists. From one Brooklyn two-way to another, Chaney Johnson had 11 points off the bench. He also had four rebounds, three assists, and a steal to his credit for yet another complete game.

E.J. Liddell have a bad game? No. Did he have a great game? Also, no. Liddell connected on 50% of his shots for just eight points, missing all three tries from deep. He did have 10 rebounds three assists (and three turnovers.) Moreover, he remains one of the best shot blockers on the team, picking up two in this one, which was tied with Nelson for the game lead.

David Muoka had a strong game from the bench, as he finished with six points and eight rebounds. Trevon Scott and Hunter Cattoor also put eight points on the board each in their showings from the Long Island bench. Overall, a very complete team win.

Next Up​

The Long Island Nets (14-9) return to the court tomorrow night, on Friday, February 20th, for a rematch with the Birmingham Squadron. The game tips off at 8:00 p.m. EST and can be watched on the NBA G League and Long Island Nets respective websites.

• Boxscore: Long Island Nets 121, Birmingham Squadron 103 – G League
• Game Highlights: Long Island Nets 121, Birmingham Squadron 103 – (Video) – G League

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/longislan...slands-first-win-after-all-star-break-121-103

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Nets vs. Thunder preview: Night 2 of a back-to-back

INGLEWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Chet Holmgren #7 of the USA Stars Team drives to the basket during the game against World Team during the 75th NBA All-Star Game as part of the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 15, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Brooklyn Nets returned to action last night and faced off against a potential NBA title contender in the Cleveland Cavaliers. As you’d expect, the Cavs showed why they’re contenders and the Nets are not as they cut the Nets up by 28 points.

From facing title contenders to facing the reigning, defending NBA Champions. The Oklahoma City Thunder aren’t going to set the single season wins record, but they are on top of a tough Western Conference. They went into the All Star break with a 110-93 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Where to follow the game​

YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio. Tip after 8 PM.

Injuries​

No Nic Claxton. Night two of a back-to-back so don’t be surprised if there are more absences.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Thomas Sorber, and Ajay Mitchell are out.

The game​

In a fun twist, the Cavs and Thunder will play each other Sunday afternoon on ABC.

We mentioned that the Thunder aren’t going to set the win record since that was the early discussion when they got off to their hot start. However, they’re still one of the major favorites to win the NBA championship. From Ricky O’Donnell at the mothership:

When they’re healthy, we’ll see if they can get back to their top form.

The Thunder started this season at 24-1 and looked like they would be a heavy favorite to win the championship. Since then, OKC went 18-13 into the All-Star break, and looked a lot more beatable. Likely MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is currently sidelined with an abdominal injury, Jalen Williams is battling a hamstring strain after being kept out with a wrist injury to start the year, and breakout sophomore Ajay Mitchell has also been in and out of the lineup lately.

OKC needs to know if Williams can get back to the All-NBA level he played at this year, because he just hasn’t been the same player this season. SGA can still take this team over the finish line, but his teammates need to hit some shots. The Thunder are still a pretty average shooting team from deep, and that can catch up to them in the playoffs. The defense will still be elite if Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Alex Caruso can all stay healthy for the playoffs, and that alone should make them the favorites before it starts. I really think SGA is a special player, and one of the three or four best guards the league has seen since Michael Jordan retired. He can carry the Thunder across the finish line to become the league’s first back-to-back champ since Kevin Durant was on the Golden State Warriors. It just doesn’t feel like this is an undeniable dynasty at this point.

We’ll see what they look like once they’re back at full strength.

We’ll see more of the kids tonight. Danny Wolf filled up the stat sheet in his 28 minutes last night, and in the event Porter Jr is out tonight, he’ll get more time on the court. Like the other rookies, Wolf needs as many minutes as possible so he can continue to grow.

Speaking of young players, Jared McCain is looking to find his way on his new team. He came over from the Philadelphia 76ers prior to the deadline, and he’s slotting in to a nice role where he gets 20 minutes a night while the big dogs heal up. If he makes the most of this opportunity, Mark Daigneault could turn to him to provide some shooting in the playoffs.

For the Nets, they’ve had to consistently find ways to pick themselves up from blowout losses. Four out of their last five losses have been by at least 16 points. You learn a lot during the course of a long season, and for this young Nets team, they hope the lessons (and losses) from this year will carry them into 2027 and beyond.

Player to watch: Chet Holmgren​

The Thunder’s core is still incredibly young, and Holmgren’s continued growth plays a big part in OKC’s present and future success. Holmgren’s at a career high 56 percent from the field, thanks in part to the team finding more shots for him on the inside. He’s taking more shots inside of three feet, and he’s shooting a blistering 81.5 percent on the inside. Getting easy buckets always makes life easier and while Gilgeous-Alexander heals up, OKC can lean on Holmgren a bit more and trust him to make something good happen every team he has the ball on the inside.

Day’ron Sharpe will have his hands full tonight. Brooklyn got outrebounded by 20 last night and if they want to be competitive tonight, that’s going to have to change. Sharpe has done well on the boards and has a soft touch at the rim so he’s always down to give Jordi Fernandez some good minutes.

From the Vault​

Ones in the air for Eric Dane

More reading: Daily Thunder, SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets
• Oklahoma City Thunder Game Notes – Oklahoma City Thunder
• Brooklyn visits Oklahoma City on 3-game road skid – AP
• The road is only going to get tougher for Nets as new tanking questions loom ($) – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• Nets’ Jordi Fernandez has blunt reaction to blowout loss to Cavs after All-Star break – Erik Slater – Clutch Points

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-game...-vs-thunder-preview-night-2-of-a-back-to-back

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Brooklyn Nets get discarded by Oklahoma City Thunder, 105-86

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 20: Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket as Egor Demin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets plays defense during the game on February 20, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Taking down the Brooklyn Nets doesn’t require much these days. The Oklahoma City Thunder did it tonight without the league MVP, his lead running mate, and the rhythm of recent play. The Nets gave OKC their first game in over a week this evening. Brooklyn, of course, had this one as back-to-back. It was also their second straight game against a title contender richer than them by 20+ wins.

Essentially, Adam Silver welcomed the Nets back from the All-Star break like Kevin McCallister “welcomed” the wet bandits into his home that one Christmas Eve.

The odds against Brooklyn tonight also increased when Nic Claxton landed on the injury report again. He’s still dealing with a sprained ankle he suffered on Thursday. That meant Day’Ron Sharpe, who Thunder fans surely remember from his 25/15/5 game last year, would start in his place.

OKC seemed to bring the best out of Day’Day once more, at least in the game’s early stages. Sharpe scored Brooklyn’s first four points of the night, working well with Nolan Traoré, who had a far easier time getting into the paint compared to Thursday. Fellow rookie Drake Powell also had a few nice sequences…

Drake Powell breaks down Jared McCain off the dribble. pic.twitter.com/A3GAcBjJdU

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) February 21, 2026

That said, Brooklyn’s best friend in the first had to be the rust still hampering OKC’s offense. The Thunder, who carried the NBA’s second best two-point field goal percentage going into the break (57.7%), shot just 23.1% on such shots in the first. The Nets, uncoincidentally, maintained a 23-21 lead after one.

However, the quiet, slow approaching storm is just as dangerous as the one that’s accurately forecasted. Thunder struck in the second, as OKC enjoyed a 15-3 run that was more than enough to put them in front on the scoreboard.

Brooklyn, shooting 2-23 from deep in period, seemed rattled by the encompassing cumulonimbus clouds. Even while queuing up high percentage looks, the Nets failed to find nylon over and over again. It took them over eight minutes to make their first field goal in the second. They also had nine turnovers and just three field goals in the frame. Naturally, OKC outscored them there, doing so by a 29-10 margin. They led at the break by a 50-33 one.

“I think that when you play under duress, you feel it, and you feel it when you’re shooting is open,” Fernández said. “They do a great job. There’s a reason why they’re number one defense. But you know, the 17% is something that I’m not worried about because I know the shots are going to go in. So, we just got to continue to be convinced and take those shots.”

Even for the Nets, those numbers were horrid enough to require some sort of regression/return to the mean, and the basketball gods paid their debt as soon as play resumed. The Nets put together an 8-0 run in the top half of the third, starting the period 7-11 from the field and 2-3 from deep. They later cut it to 10 with 6:42 to go, and then eight with 2:39 remaining in the period.

Sharpe and Traoré had to have been praying the hardest at halftime. They led the way again with a combined 11 points on 4-5 shooting during that initial stretch. Porter Jr. and Danny Wolf captained the second run. Wolf notched eight points in the period while shooting 4-7 from the field, out-hustling the shorthanded Thunder to his spots on multiple occasions. MPJ added nine points, three assists, and came away with as sneaky a steal as you’ll see from a 6’10” guy in the backcourt…

MPJ with a GTA-like move in the backcourt…

Team is definitely battling here in the third. pic.twitter.com/T1S4oceb8Q

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) February 21, 2026

After putting in just 33 points in the first half, Brooklyn added 34 in the third, and went into the fourth down 77-67.

“It was handling their pressure. I also thought getting the stops, when you get to your spots in transition, I think it’s a little easier to find those shots,” Fernández said. “We were good defensively, get stops, be able to run and create turnovers. That was good to see, and you know, better cutting. I think Mike did a great job in the third quarter finishing his cuts to all the way to the rim, as tall as he is. Day’Ron and Danny did a great job throwing the ball over the top.”

But rather than a legitimate comeback, Brooklyn’s efforts were more like back bumper collision warning for OKC, telling them to hit the gas. Each time the Nets got within striking distance, the Thunder surged ahead and pushed the lead back to double digits. An 11-3 start to the final frame put them back up 18 with about nine minutes remaining.

The Nets never pressured OKC again after that. Unlike vs Cleveland, Fernández kept the starters on the floor for the majority of garbage time, but it mattered not. Brooklyn shot a soft 5-15 from the field through the fourth’s first nine minutes, which simply won’t cut it against most teams, let alone the champs.

Despite shooting 1-9 from deep, Porter Jr. ended up with 22 points, finding his way to the line often, where he went 9-11. He also dished five assists, grabbed nine rebounds, and came away with two steals. Traoré followed him with 17 points, three assists, and two steals. He shot a modest 5-11 from the field, but turned it over four times. Sharpe was the only other Net to reach double figures, grabbing 12 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and a block.

In the end, it was a rather forgettable contest for Brooklyn. They fought enough to keep it from being embarrassing and noteworthy by consequence, but never threw a strong enough punch to ever challenge their opponent.

That said, in a season like this, I think we could all use some amnesia.

Final: Oklahoma City Thunder 105, Brooklyn Nets 86

Injury Report​

We mentioned Claxton missing tonight’s game, but Ziaire Williams also didn’t suit up tonight for personal reasons. It feels worth mentioning that Porter Jr. and Egor Dëmin did both play tonight though, making it the first time each has appeared in a back-to-back this season.

Milestone Watch​

• Noah Clowney’s first 3-pointer tonight against OKC was the 200th of his career, which adds to his total as the most by a player under 22 years old in franchise history. In his 118th game, he becomes the fastest player in Nets history to reach 200 career 3-pointers.
• Michael Porter Jr. had 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals at the end of Q3 tonight in Oklahoma City. It is his eighth time logging at least 15 PTS, 5 AST and 5 REB this season; he had seven such games through his first six career seasons.

Brooklyn’s loss combined with the Indiana Pacers loss to Washington Wizards puts the Nets in sole possession of the fourth place in Tankathon ranking and only one game out of second.

Next Up​

The Nets will head back across the country to face the Atlanta Hawks Sunday afternoon. It’ll be their first look at the Hawks in the post-Trae Young era. The game tips off at 3:30 p.m. EST. After that, Brooklyn will return for a quick two at The Clays before hitting the road again.

• Boxscore: Oklahoma City Thunder 105, Brooklyn Nets 86 – NBA
• Game Highlights: Oklahoma City Thunder 105, Brooklyn Nets 86 (Video) – NBA
• Jordi Fernandez PostGame Interview (Video) – YES Network
• Day’Ron Sharpe PostGame Interview (Video) – YES Network
• New acquisition Jared McCain scores 21 as the Thunder beat the Nets 105-86 – AP
• Sloppy Nets get served brutal reminder from Thunder in blowout loss – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• UNC’s Caleb Wilson forcing his way into draft conversations that could include tanking Nets ($) – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• Nets’ comeback bid stalls in 105-86 road loss to Thunder ($) – C.J. Holmes – New York Daily News
• NBA’s anti-tanking push could reward Nets’ rebuild ($) – C.J. Holmes – New York Daily News
• Nets player grades after 105-86 loss at Jared McCain, Thunder – Sharif Phillips-Keaton – USA TODAY

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-scor...ity-thunder-105-86-nolan-traore-dayron-sharpe

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Grant Nelson double-double not enough as Ben Saraf and Josh Minott were non-factors in loss

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - FEBRUARY 5: Grant Nelson #22 of the Long Island Nets shoots a free throw during the game against the Windy City Bulls on February 5, 2026 at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

It was a mixed day Friday, as it often is, in the development game as the Long Island Nets lost at the buzzer to the Squadron in Birmingham, 104-102. With 0.6 seconds remaining Trey Alexander’s game-winner sent the Nets back to Long Island.

Neither of the two Brooklyn players assigned to the G League affiliate played that much of a role, particularly after they had looked so good Thursday. The three two-ways played solid ball as they often do and Grant Nelson, on a G League contract, registered his first double-double of the season adding to the intrigue around his future.

Beyond his 14 points and 12 rebounds in 25 minutes, there was another milestone. This was also his 14th straight start, matching the number of games he missed to a knee injury since resolved. The 25 minutes was most he’s played on a minutes restriction since his return. In those 14, he’s played 288 minutes or 20.6 per game. On a per-36 basis, he’s averaged 24.2 points and 11.6 rebounds while shooting better than 60% from the floor.

How long will the restrictions last? Nelson said recently that he doesn’t know, but there has been progress from 16 to 18 minutes early on to 22 to 25 now. Also unresolved is who, if anyone, will fill the 15th and final roster spot in Brooklyn. That will likely have after-effects on Long Island.

His 14 points were tied for second on the team. While he only connected on three of his seven shots from the field, he was perfect from the foul stripe, going five-for-five. He missed on his only try from 3-point land. This is something that he’s been trying to integrate more into his game. He’s shot 2-of-13 from three this season.

Perhaps Nelson’s best trait was his ability to rebound the ball. Nelson hauled in 12, which led the team and was tied for the game-best. It also marked a career-high. Nelson brought in seven boards offensively. On top of his rebounds, Nelson also had three assists and one block. Nelson’s one Achilles heel in this one was his turnovers, in which he had four.

As for the Brooklyn rookie, Ben Saraf, he was one of the stars in Thursday’s Long Island win. His performance looked to be one he could build on and get back on the right path. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Saraf finished the game with just seven points. To make matters worse, he shot an abysmal 25%, connecting on just three of his 12 tries, only making one of his five tries from deep.

As for Josh Minott, he too shone Thursday in Long Island’s win, making a statement debut with Long Island. Sadly, in this one, Minott also proved to be a non-factor. Minott also connected on just three of his 12 shot attempts, including going two-for-seven from deep. He finished this one with nine points.

Minott also had four rebounds and two assists. One aspect of the game where Minott continued to do very well is shot blocking. The 6’8” finished Friday’s game with three blocks. His three blocks not only led the team, but were the most in the game.

EJ Liddell flirted with a double-double, connecting on five of his 12 tries, for 14 points, and brought in eight rebounds. Liddell also had one assist, one steal, and two blocks.

As for Tyson Etienne,he tallied 10 points in this one, connecting on just three of his seven tries. He went two-for-four from deep and also went two-for-three from the foul stripe. From the onset of this game, Etienne’s shots just weren’t looking as sharp as normal, which caused him to take substantially less than normal. Etienne also had four rebounds and three assists.

The Long Island bench looked better than the starters for almost the whole game. The third and final two-way player on hand for Long Island in this one, Chaney Johnson, scored 10 points off the bench. Johnson also hauled in 10 rebounds, giving him him a double-double. Malachi Smith led the team in scoring, tallying 17 points in his 30 minutes, as Hunter Cattoor came alive in the fourth quarter, finishing with 12 points.

Next Up​

The Long Island Nets (14-10) return to the court on Monday, February 23rd, for a showdown with their former friend, Kendall Brown, and the Maine Celtics. This marks Long Island’s first of four straight home games as they make their return to the Nassau Coliseum. The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST and can be watched on the NBA G League website, as well as on the Gotham Sports app.

• Boxscore: Birmingham Squadron 104, Long Island Nets 102 – G League
• Game Highlights: Birmingham Squadron 104, Long Island Nets 102 (Video) – G League

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/longislan...araf-and-josh-minott-were-non-factors-in-loss

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Tsais contribute $50 million to health institute in hopes of cutting women’s injuries

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 25: New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) interacts with New York Liberty Owner Clara Wu Tsai after a WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and the New York Liberty on June 25, 2025 at the Chase Center in San Francisco, CA. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The saddest story at the Winter Olympics in Milan/Cortina maybe that of Lindsay Von who while seeking her second gold and fourth Olympic medal blew out her ACL while training for the downhill. Although she tried to ski through it, Von crashed and fell, ending her pursuit.

It was tragically not her first encounter with misfortune. As NBC News pointed out this week:

Vonn has had multiple knee injuries throughout her career: tears to her medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments at the 2013 World Championships, then a complete ACL tear later that year which forced her to pull out of the 2014 Winter Olympics, and a lateral collateral ligament tear in 2018 that led to her announcing her retirement.

As NBC also noted, women are far more likely to suffer knee injuries and are two to eight more likely to tear their ACLs in comparison to men, citing data from Yale Medicine.

Now, with support from Clara Wu Tsai through her and Joe Tsai’s WuTsai Performance Alliance, there will be a new initiative to research why the disparity. According to the NBC report, prior studies have shown that women have different physiology that might lead to the increased risk. Fluctuating hormone cycles have also been suggested as a potential factor. Wu Tsai of course is familiar with injuries to women athletes as co-owner of the Liberty. (She is the force behind the Liberty’s planned $80 million training center.)

The Tsais and Jane and David Ott, who serve on the USA Track & Field Foundation board. have arranged a $50 million infusion of cash into what’s called the Women’s Health, Sports & Performance Institute, located in Brighton, Mass.

“We have this Women’s Health, Sports & Performance Institute (WHSP) that has a clinical component, a research component, a training environment and education all under one roof, so that it’s one very cohesive engine,” Dr. Kate Ackerman, former Team USA rower and co-founder of the institute, told NBC News. “And this is something that’s been a long time coming.”

Despite the exponential growth of female athletes across competitive sports, less than 10% of research has focused on women and their bodies, according to Ackerman. The institute is hoping to focus on the challenges specific to women across age groups, including those who are postpartum and post-menopause, in an effort to prevent injuries and keep athletes playing longer.

“Because there’s so much talk about women athletes, and because there’s so much talk about women’s health, people feel that, ‘Oh, it must be taken care of,’” Ackerman said. “But we’re just not there yet.”

“Through both the Alliance and WHSP, I’m thrilled to continue supporting this important area of research for female athletes — both professional and recreational — around the world,” Wu Tsai said. The Tsais commitment is through the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, where Ackerman has spent the last five years working on scientific advancements for women. Wu Tsai described the research in a statement as “chronically understudied and underfunded.”

The Performance Alliance is one of the Tsais’ more intriguing philanthropic endeavors. Its goal is to “reverse-engineer” health advances by studying humans at their peak — particularly elite athletes. The Tsais, through their Joe and Clara Wu Tsai Foundation, have earmarked $220 million over the next 10 years to fund the alliance.

“After robust dialogues and engagement with biologists, engineers, trainers, clinicians, and athletes,” Wu Tsai said back when the alliance was set up in 2021. “We decided to focus on defining the scientific principles underlying human performance.”

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nyliberty...institute-in-hopes-of-cutting-womens-injuries

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Nolan Traore shows out in Brooklyn Nets Rookie Report — No. 8

Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images

We’re all coming around on the Brooklyn Nets’ 2025 NBA Draft, so widely mocked that the Phoenix Suns didn’t mind gasping at it on social media. The Nets themselves are probably feeling better about their draft too, if you believe last summer’s rumors that Brooklyn tried to trade one or two of their five first-round picks, but couldn’t find a suitor. Since then, Egor Demin hasn’t missed a three, and there have been flashes from the others too.

I know I feel a bit better about it, though it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. On January 23rd, I posted this: “32 rookies have taken 50+ two-pointers. Bottom three in 2P%: Danny Wolf, Egor Dëmin, Nolan Traore.”

For good measure, Wolf had the lowest 2P% among any NBA player 6’11” or taller, and Traore was tied for the lowest 2P% in the league. The case against the Flatbush Five was still very easy to make, and it wasn’t that they had redundant skillsets. That analysis was always lame.

Rather, Brooklyn drafted guys that struggled with either physicality, explosiveness, or both, and the one plus-athlete they did draft almost never handled the ball. That was a tough pill to swallow, particularly after watching the incredible physicality of last year’s playoffs. It’s a motor league.

It's a motor league.

-Speed and Distance
-Depth for maintain 48min physical energy.
-Sum of all ball-pressure by hand for detering pass/drive.
-Bumping capability of both ends.

— Skyfall (@polarfall) May 29, 2025

But two-thirds of the way through this season, none of Brooklyn’s selections look particularly egregious. I’m still concerned about their high-end outcomes — how much ball-handling will Egor Dëmin provide in a playoff setting? how much can Danny Wolf compensate for a lack of vertical pop around the rim? — but we’re not talking about high-end outcomes just yet.

Not every member of Brooklyn’s 2025 NBA Draft class will become a valuable rotation player. Some may never crack a playoff rotation. But all of them still have a chance. All of them have shown something to put faith in.

Egor Dëmin​

This is most true for Egor Dëmin and his 3-point shooting. At BYU, he shot 27.3% from deep on 10 3PA per 100 possessions. Through 48 games in Brooklyn, he’s shooting 38.8% from deep on nearly 13 3PA per 100 possessions. This just doesn’t happen. It doesn’t make sense.

Yes, his stroke always looked better than those numbers did, and yes, he played through a knee injury at BYU, and yes, his pre-NCAA shooting numbers were better. It’s still unfathomable. Given his pre-draft profile, Dëmin may be in the midst of the most miraculous 3-point shooting season a rookie has ever put forth.

Get to know Dëmin, though, and it makes sense. The baby-faced Russian teenager will talk your ear off about his cat, or about English words he’s struggling to pronounce, or why roasting marshmallows around the campfire at BYU beats tapping the keg anywhere else, everything except his unprecedented shooting turnaround. Only then will Dëmin revert to a cliché, shrug his shoulders, and cite the work he’s put in. He really isn’t surprised by this.

It’s enough to warm a cynic’s cold heart, to believe that this cherubic sniper will take over the NBA with overwhelming levels of being dope, having fun, smiling, etc…

pic.twitter.com/4fsRP1bFHS

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 14, 2026

No rookie has changed their perception more than Dëmin through 50-something games. Sure, he makes a cool extra pass here and there and an intriguing kick-out with the snap of a wrist, but my man was getting Josh Giddey comparisons last summer. He is not a jumbo-handler, nor a primary ball-handler with excellent vision. Dëmin is a catch-and-shoot threat with everything else to work on, and while his worst games — when the shots don’t fall — are indeed worrisome, Nets fans don’t have to panic too much about that yet.

Look at this, man…

tough night vs OKC but Egor's shooting season is crazy

thinks about going to get the handoff, split-second decision to C&S instead, cashes it pic.twitter.com/xAE46P9XnM

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) February 21, 2026

Every live-game rep is valuable. And you can trust Dëmin, universally praised for his work ethic and attention to detail, to make the most of them. But in terms of analysis, we don’t need to see much more from him this season. Are there really going to be ball-handling/driving improvements before he spends much more time in the weight room over the next couple years?

At 6’9”, his block/steal/deflection rates are all average, giving him something of a defensive floor. He often guards opponents’ low-usage wings — against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night, he started on Dean Wade.

I find his processing/playmaking to be most intriguing. The common refrain, for now, is that we don’t get to see his high-level passing much because he can’t get downhill, and while that’s partly true, it’s also an oversimplification. Dëmin has tossed some dimes as a spot-up guy, taking advantages of defenses rotating over to him — he loves looking off help defenders — but I think he’s also missed high-level opportunities. Ziaire Williams should probably have a layup here…

Dëmin has tossed just 54 rim assists in 1205 minutes, per PBP Stats, or one every 22.3 minutes. That matches, almost exactly … Cam Thomas. There’s no doubt Dëmin is a willing passer, particularly hungry to make kick-outs, but I’m most curious to see how his playmaking progress over the next season or two.

The Brooklyn Nets drafted a weird player at #8 overall, but that’s not an inherent negative. Egor Dëmin is a certified sniper and a powerfully optimistic young man. He scares the hell out of me sometimes, given how reliant he is on spot-up threes, but I’m rocking with him.

Nolan Traore​

Nolan!! He was so bad early on. Teenage point guards are rarely productive, but it seemed like Traore was two years away from being two years away. On January 23rd, he was shooting 33.3% inside the arc. As I mentioned up top, that was tied with the minuscule Rob Dillingham for the worst mark in the league. Turns out my reverse jinx worked.

That night, he had the finest game of his career to date, putting up 21 points in that double OT loss to the Boston Celtics. With the necessary caveat that the stretch run before All-Star Weekend marks the true dog days of the NBA, Traore hasn’t looked back since.

The French teenager is 40-of-75 from two since January 23rd; he’s now shooting 44.4% on the season. At this rate, he could clear 50% by daylight savings time. What the hell happened?

First, Jordi Fernández gave him some tough love after a big loss to the Washington Wizards: “I need him to use his superpowers and touch the paint. It felt like he got caught shooting the unders. And a lot of times they’re going to go under because that’s what they want you to do. And if you keep shooting it, missing them, you know, sometimes if you keep doing the same thing and seeing the same results, I think that’s the definition of insanity … I’m okay with a pull-up three, [but] I don’t love it because he hasn’t shown that he can make it consistently.”

And here’s what that adjustment looks like for Traore…

Fernández is right: Per Synergy Sports, Traore is scoring just 0.79 points per off-the-dribble jumper, a 26th percentile mark league-wide. (Compare that to his 1.03 points per catch-and-shoot jumper, 38th percentile league-wide.)

But when Traore is using a screen, then a re-screen, then finding an angle to attack, you see his prodigious speed in action. Of course, he looks so much more comfortable than he did at season’s beginning, putting defenders in jail and getting to two feet to pivot around. His assist-to-turnover ratio is nearing 2:1, and those jump-stops in the lane are a big reason why.

Other than patience and poise, the big key for Traore is how far he can probe into the lane with a live-dribble. That was the most worrisome part of his prospect profile to me — here was a speedy, penetrating guard whose handle was suspect in tight spaces. Traore has done a much better job lately extending his dribble, though old habits still rear their ugly head from time to time. You can see the difference in these two plays:

Is Traore bendy/crafty enough to excel with his skinny frame? We’ll see. But this past month of play has been thrilling. Perhaps he’s not two years away from being two years away.

Drake Powell​

I don’t really have a ton to say about Drake Powell because he doesn’t really do a ton on the court. He’s fallen below 15% usage, though that shouldn’t be a shock for a first-round pick with one of the lowest usage-rates of all time in his pre-draft year.

That by itself isn’t particularly worrying, though after some early season performances like his 15/3/3 game against the New York Knicks, where he moonlighted as lead ball-handler for the second unit, I thought we’d avoid Kris Dunn-level offensive responsibility. I mean, the flashes are there, including his 47% conversion rate on mid-range shots, per Cleaning the Glass…

Drake Powell turnaround/fadeaway middy plus the foul. Sheesh. pic.twitter.com/Hv4cYw8PGS

— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) January 24, 2026

Alas, the handle/processing is pretty far away from being able to shoulder any real offensive burden. Oh well.

I’m more concerned about Powell’s catch-and-shoot deficiencies: After scoring 1.18 points per shot on catch-and-shoot jumpers at UNC, he’s down to 0.87 points per possession (16th percentile) in the pros. Small sample, rookie year, I get it. But if defenses don’t feel the need to close out to Powell, it gets a little spooky.

Not to pile on, but the defensive creation hasn’t been there either. Low block/steal rates, and he’s tied with Danny Wolf and Michael Porter Jr. in deflections per minute, toward the bottom of the team. The rebounding numbers are low, too. So right now, the question is simply: What does Drake Powell do?

I don’t know yet. He probably needs to put on some real muscle this summer and next, but before then, Powell can keep taking advantage of Brooklyn’s increased pace. The Nets are no longer one of the slowest, fastbreak-avoidant teams in the league, and that should grant Powell more opportunity to explore.

Thanks to his archetype, raw athleticism, and flashes of on-ball defense, coaches and front offices will keep giving him the benefit of the doubt. That includes Jordi Fernández. But over the final third of this season, I’d like to see one consistent skill from Powell, whatever that may be.

Danny Wolf​

Danny Wolf is no longer shooting the lowest 2-point% of any player 6’11” or taller, minimum 50 attempts. Hooray! (That’s because, since January 23rd, Christian Koloko and Hansen Yang have qualified. Wolf hasn’t passed anybody.)

Wolf had a couple strong games against a couple really bad teams before All-Star Weekend, where Fernández put the ball in his hands a bit more. He opened up about the experience: “The last month, two months, it’s a lot of learning. I was playing off the ball, and for me, it’s just like, I felt a little bit too sped up. But there’s gonna be games where that’s my role. And then when coach does give me the ball and trusts me with it, it’s on me to make the right play. I think for me, it was just — I know I’m a work in progress, especially off the ball.”

Wolf will have to make 3-point shots; only time will tell if he’s capable. But now that he’s not shooting 50% from three anymore, like he was when he burst onto the scene, it’s been pretty rough going on offense. Some of it certainly is being too sped up — you can see it when he tries to dribble through a crowd — but so much of it is a lack of vertical pop.

He gets fouled here, but at 6’11” with a full head of steam and taking off from the restricted area, you gotta try and dunk this or something…

So yeah, I’m pretty worried about his scoring profile. Not much else to say there.

That being said, Wolf’s defense in isolation has been a pleasant surprise of his rookie year. Anytime a (non-Jimmy Butler) player tries to size him up, it typically does more to stunt the offense rather than truly expose Wolf. Considering his above-average block/rebound numbers in a beefy front-court next to Day’Ron Sharpe, I’d say that end of the floor has been a positive in his rookie year.

Elsewhere, his assist:turnover ratio is also nearing 2:1, and as we saw at Michigan, many of his best passes go to Day’Ron Sharpe or Nic Claxton as pick-and-roll lobs or dump-offs around the rim. Given his 3-point heavy shot diet and particular passing strengths, I think it’s safe to say the Nets have a position in mind for him going forward.

Over the final third of the season, I’d love to see Wolf either sweep his arms through the lane and draw some more fouls á la Noah Clowney, use more deceleration driving to the rim, or get to two feet and create more kick-out opportunities.

Alas, Danny Wolf has to score to reach his high-end outcome. That’s his sell. Bully little guys and embarrass the oafs. The defensive flashes and occasional spot-up three (though he needs to improve his %s there) are cool, but let’s hope to see some more reliable finishing over this final third of the season.

Ben Saraf​

Ben Saraf may be the true dud of the bunch, but it’s too early to be sure. He was picked #26 overall, and has struggled with both Long Island in the G League and with the Brooklyn Nets. However, he did just go for 18/6/8 in Long Island’s most recent game.

Saraf is shooting just 25% from deep with the big league club, and the stroke doesn’t look great either, though he’s in the mid-30s with Long Island. Either way, it’s an incredibly small sample that’s tough to draw conclusions from, but of all Brooklyn’s rookies, Saraf is the one who desperately needs to show some shooting improvement next season, if not right now.

He’s simply lacking confidence, especially when he’s up with Brooklyn. Perhaps this G League stint will do him well, as it did Traore before him, but right now, he’s not showcasing his strengths. Saraf’s drives are wayward; he was never the most explosive athlete, but he had more counters than this…

Where’s the behind-the-back, the spin, the jump-stop and pivot? Watch a couple highlights of Saraf as a prospect, and you’ll know it’s in there somewhere. He might not be an NBA-level scorer — Saraf is shooting just 38.7% from the floor in the G League, despite nailing some threes — but he’s gotta die trying.

Hey, eight assists per 100 possessions ain’t so bad.

---

Alright, maybe I’m not as high on this rookie class as I thought I was.

It’s still early, though. And Egor Dëmin has stones no spreadsheet can quantify; just look at the end of that Orlando Magic game. And Nolan Traore is improving, while Drake Powell just threw down a huge dunk…

Drake Powell dunk on Patrick Williams pic.twitter.com/WbUhyyuSyM

— ✶𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕦𝕤 ✶ (@_MarcusD3_) February 10, 2026

Since I harped on his 2-point scoring here, Danny Wolf will probably just 10-of-10 next game out, same for Saraf.

The Flatbush Five are entering the home stretch of their rookie season. They may not save the Brooklyn Nets in one fell swoop, but such a drastic rebuild was never going to be easy. Plus, you can’t discount how they might improve playing next to the blue-chip talent the Nets hope to add in the 2026 NBA Draft…but it’s too early to talk about that.

For now, Egor Dëmin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf are all just trying to make it work. Their next opportunity to show out comes on Sunday afternoon as the Brooklyn Nets face the Atlanta Hawks with tip-off scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-anal...e-egor-demin-brooklyn-nets-rookie-report-no-8

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Brooklyn Nets collapse late against Atlanta Hawks, lose 115-104

Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images

The New Orleans Pelicans picked up a big win on Saturday night, bringing their record to 16-42 and pushing, if just for a moment, the Brooklyn Nets to the third-worst record in the league at 15-40. And again, they’re not even tanking! Unfortunately for Adam Silver’s pariahs, the true tanking teams, matching the ineptitude of the Sacramento Kings and their 16-game losing streak may be an impossible task.

On Sunday afternoon, the Brooklyn Nets weren’t favorites, but they had an honest chance to pick up a road win against the Atlanta Hawks. Nic Claxton returned from a two-game absence, giving the Nets a clean injury report and 48 minutes of legitimate big man play; Ochai Agbaji would no longer have to moonlight as the team’s backup five. The Nets were also due to make some shots. In their first two games after All-Star Weekend, they shot a gross 23.3% from deep.

The struggles from deep continued early on, but the Nets battled nonetheless. Nic Claxton scored 11 points in the first half as Brooklyn made 61% of their twos, taking advantage of an Atlanta defense that was decidedly not Oklahoma City. Drake Powell didn’t put up a monster statline (___), but between a step-back three, a couple tough dimes, and this driving layup…

Drake really getting after it: pic.twitter.com/irDL7eVyEf

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) February 22, 2026

…he flashed enough to keep Nets fans coming back for more.

Brooklyn trailed 60-56 at halftime, the Hawks sustained by offensive rebounding and Jock Landale’s 17-point explosion. You may recall January 11, when Landale — then on the Memphis Grizzlies — had a fantastic game to help Brooklyn secure an unlikely tanking loss. Could he do it again and become a folk hero?

Not exactly. Landale scored just two points in the second half while Day’Ron Sharpe got the best of him on the glass, and Brooklyn’s bench finally put an end to the see-sawing. Terance Mann hit a couple 3-pointers, Ochai Agbaji had his best stretch as a Net, and Danny Wolf put up 5/4/4 with one turnover. Brooklyn shot 9-of-22 from deep after halftime, and the Nets built a double-digit lead as crunch time loomed.

A win wouldn’t be too devastating to the tank. Brooklyn’s upcoming schedule is tough, and the rookies played fairly well on Sunday. Egor Dëmin put up 13/1/4, hitting a couple threes and even taking Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the rack…

Egor getting physical on a drive to the rim. pic.twitter.com/v3X1bQUo5O

— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) February 22, 2026

Turns out Nets fans could have it all. Brooklyn took a 102-91 lead with eight minutes left and scored two points the rest of the way. They didn’t just blow a lead; the Hawks won comfortably.

Michael Porter Jr. threw shots off the backboard, shooting 1-of-8 from deep and looking nothing like the sniper who had an All-Star case just a month ago. (Somehow, Porter Jr. is now 8-of-49 from three in February.) Nolan Traore was the least impressive rookie on the day, shooting 4-of-14 with five assists and five turnovers, coughing it up three times in the fourth quarter.

Jordi Fernandez, remarkably composed following such a collapse, had this to say about Traore.

“You go through the experience, and you learn. Some of the rushed shots and turnovers,” he said. “You gotta learn how to be composed. You gotta learn how to put everybody in [the right] place and take good shots. We just didn’t. So next game it is.”

‘Nuff said.“

On the other side, Atlanta’s All-Star, Jalen Johnson, took over. He scored 14 points in the final frame, finishing with 26/12/4. CJ McCollum hit two back-breaking threes, and that was all the Hawks needed to flip the game on its head. It was a blur. If Brooklyn wasn’t 15-41, it would’ve been a shocking ending to an otherwise promising game.

But they are. How much of it is blatant tanking, and how much of it is the Brooklyn Nets simply being a bad basketball team? Sunday afternoon blurred the lines.

Final Score: Atlanta Hawks 115, Brooklyn Nets 104

Milestone Watch​

• All five of Brooklyn’s starters (Porter Jr., Clowney, Claxton, Dëmin, Traore) scored in double-digits. It was the fourth time the Nets did so this season, the first since 1/19 vs. Phoenix.

Race to the Bottom​

Here are the standings (in reverse order) after Sunday’s loss, courtesy of Tankathon.

That’s the stuff right there.

Next Up​

The Brooklyn Nets return home to face the Dallas Mavericks, who will likely be missing Cooper Flagg due to injury. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening from Barclays Center.

• Boxscore: Atlanta Hawks 115, Brooklyn Nets 104 – NBA
• Game Highlights: Atlanta Hawks 115, Brooklyn Nets 104 (Video) – NBA
• Jordi Fernandez PostGame Interview ( Video) – YES Network
• Jalen Johnson scores 26 as Hawks rally past Nets 115-104 after 11-point fourth-quarter deficit – Bill Trocchi – AP
• Nets blow double-digit lead as offense goes cold late in brutal loss to Hawks – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• Fourth-quarter drought sinks Nets in loss to Hawks – C.J. Holmes – New York Daily News
• Nets player grades after 115-104 loss at Jalen Johnson, Hawks – Sharif Phillips-Keaton – USA TODAY
• Nets forward sidelined for second straight game due to personal reasons – Erik Slater – Clutch Points

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-scores-results/106430/nets-vs-hawks-115-104-egor-demin-jalen-johnson

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

The Brooklyn Podcast: The Post All-Star Restart with Erik Slater

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 13: Egor Demin #8 of Team Vince drives to the basket during the game against Team Melo during the Rising Stars Game as part of the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Nets are back in action after the All-Star break. Despite a worthy campaign from Michael Porter Jr and a Rising Stars appearance from Egor Dëmin, it was a break that for the most part excluded the Nets. Whether Brooklyn deserved more All-Star-related love or not, they’re going to march on now, and we’ll do the same. Erik Slater of ClutchPoints is here to guide us through Brooklyn’s restart.

In this episode of The Brooklyn with Pooch & Collin, we touch on:

• New tanking strategies
• Who Brooklyn’s core prospect is
• The Kingston Flemings & Darryn Peterson fits
• Expectations for the post-All-Star stretch

You can also check out the latest episode on Apple or Spotify. Follow us on X, Instagram, and Tik Tok.

Who won our Brooklyn Nets all-time shooters draft?

(w/ @HolmesScribe) pic.twitter.com/uuaBAGpt6D

— The Brooklyn (@thebrooklynpod) September 26, 2025

Liking and subscribing on YouTube is always appreciated as well!

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-podc...st-the-post-all-star-restart-with-erik-slater