News Nets Team Notes

[Brooklyn Nets]

Brooklyn Nets Cut Starting Guard Keon Johnson

The Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on guard Keon Johnson, the team announced this morning. He started 56 games for Brooklyn last year, appearing in all but three, averaging 10.6 points, 2.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and a steal per game on 49.9 TS. Only Jalen Wilson logged more total minutes than him.

This wasn’t a decision made today, but several weeks ago when the Nets made history by adding five players via the NBA Draft. Prior to Johnson’s release, the team carried 19 players on standard contracts. You can only have 15 standard contracts at the start of the season.

That, along with the task of needing to reach the salary floor, made this a math thing, and Johnson the unfortunate subtraction. He likely won’t be the last one either again considering those final roster parameters.

Thank you, Keon pic.twitter.com/5pZbcbhVca

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) September 17, 2025

Brian Lewis of the New York Post also reported that Johnson was injured and that played a factor in his release.

Keon Johnson was first on the #Nets last season in games played (79), second in minutes (1.925) and third in starts. But the uber-athletic guard was injured, which played a role in him getting waived. #NBA

— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) September 17, 2025

Johnson quickly became a favorite of Jordi Fernández with his ball pressure, willingness to take the open three, and overall stingy brand of basketball. With a revolving door at the guard position last year due to trades and injuries, he was the center pillar it spun on, ever-present and adaptable.

He also set the table for what had to be the play of the year, when D’Angelo Russell turned back the clock and down his intravascular temperature vs the Houston Rockets.

"Inbound, STOLEN AWAY! RUSSELL! YOU BET! HE GOT IT!" @RyanRuocco had the YES call of the Nets' remarkable comeback against the Rockets, which saw them hit two three-pointers inside four seconds of each other. pic.twitter.com/EzXjOjupZO

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 5, 2025

As a late first rounder from the 2021 Draft who never started more than 12 games before last year, Johnson turned in a solid season for the Nets, and at the very least, a fun story amid a not-so-fun campaign. All of his aforementioned stats clocked in as career-highs. He put in 839 points in 2024-25, almost twice as many as he had in his three years in Portland and Los Angeles (456).

Johnson remains attached to a partially guaranteed $2.3 million contract. Should no one pick that up after 48 hours, he’ll clear waivers and become an unrestricted free agent.

This afternoon, the Nets also announced they signed guard/forward D’Andre Davis, who played with the team during summer league. Like they just did with David Muoka, Brooklyn is likely to release and re-route him to Long Island given the roster situation, but the details of his contract remain unknown.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-news/98986/brooklyn-nets-cut-starting-guard-keon-johnson

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

ESPN: Brooklyn Nets future not looking good despite cap and draft hoards

ESPN’s NBA insiders have come up with their annual look at all 30 NBA franchises — their Future Power Rankings — charting each team’s course over the next three years. Three years is an eternity in NBA terms. No one in September 2017 predicted that the Brooklyn Nets — coming off a 20-win season and a trade of the franchise’s top scorer — would feature Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving only two years later.

That said, the rankings provide insight on how the insiders, Kevin Pelton, Bobby Marks and Tim Bontemps — and presumably their sources — view the Nets future. And the view is not rosy, as the three put the Nets at No. 27, the same as last season.

While the Nets get the No. 1 ranking in cash, aka cap space going forward, and No. 2 in the Draft, behind only the Thunder, they are ranked 30th and obviously dead last in players and 25th in management. The Brooklyn market, a measure of attractiveness to free agents, they rank seventh, a drop of one spot, presumably because the gap between them and the New York Knicks has grown. (The top six are the Lakers, Knicks, Clippers, Warriors, Heat and Suns.)

Bontemps wrote this short summary, offering a positive at the top:

The Nets struck gold last summer when they hired coach Jordi Fernandez, who immediately proved himself to be an asset. But the Nets, who clearly targeted last season and this season to bottom out after reacquiring their draft picks from the Houston Rockets last summer, were one of several teams to have bad luck in the lottery by falling to eighth. The Nets, who have the league’s worst roster, are in the bottom 10 for a third straight year.

The overall ranking, as noted, remains unchanged from last year. at No. 27. It’s also the second straight year ESPN put the Nets roster at the bottom on the barrel going into the season. Who’s worse, according to Pelton, Marks and Bontemps? The Bulls, Pelicans and the Suns. At the top of the list are the Thunder, the obvious choice, followed by the Rockets, Knicks, Cavaliers and Clippers, that last one subject to change depending what the league finds regarding the Pablo Torres-spurred Kawhi Leonard investigation.

There’s no explanation of the ranking of Sean Marks & co. at No. 25, but obviously the last five years have been, to be kind, turbulent with the loss of the Big Three, Irving’s run of controversy, the steady stream of head coaches etc. as well as recent moves that pundits and fans have found confusing, including the decision to use all five of their first round picks, the draft choices themselves, and most recently Cam Thomas’s decision to exercise his qualifying offer, akin to filing divorce papers. There’s also been some criticism of what the Nets got back in their four salary dumps this summer. Did they get enough?

On a positive, John Hollinger of The Athletic wrote this week about his top five underrated moves of the off-season, putting the Cam Johnson-for-Michael Porter Jr. at No. 3. He also concedes not all salary dumps are equal.

This is precisely how you’re supposed to do it when you have more cap space than talent — turn that space into some truly juicy asset, not just a random late first- or second-round pick. Taking on Terance Mann with three years and $47 million left on his deal to get a pick in the 20s when you already had four others? Meh. Getting an unprotected 2032 first-rounder from the Denver Nuggets to turn Cam Johnson into Michael Porter? Beautiful.

The big positive of course remains the Draft hoard. The Nets currently have 32 picks: 13 firsts and 19 seconds, 29 of which are tradeable. Indeed a separate ESPN piece, by Bobby Marks and Jeremy Woo, puts the Nets among five teams whose combined 55 picks could control the draft going forward.

The analysis first offers each of the five teams’ best picks. No surprise: the Nets own first next June, reacquired in the Rockets trade the same night as the Mikal Bridges trade, is listed as No. 1 while the 2032 Nuggets pick, added in the Cam Johnson for Michael Porter Jr. salary dump is second.

Here’s Woo’s analysis:

The 2026 draft looms large for Brooklyn for two reasons: the star power atop the class could transform the franchise; however, the Nets owe a 2027 pick swap to the Houston Rockets, presenting an inflection point in the trajectory of this rebuild.

With the front office under general manager Sean Marks, the Nets are opting to maximize player development, reshape the roster and position themselves for top lottery odds next year. That was made clear with Brooklyn casting a wide net with its five first-round selections in this year’s draft. The Nets prioritized versatility and playmaking and will look to turn as many of their rookies into contributors this season as possible. The subtext of what will likely be a losing season is the opportunity to select at or near the top of next year’s draft, which a group of talent evaluators has continued to express excitement about all summer.

Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, a top-ranked prospect for next year, could be a dynamic creator from the moment he steps on an NBA court. The same goes for BYU wing A.J. Dybantsa, who NBA teams view as another strong candidate for the No. 1 pick. The projected top five is presently rounded out by Duke’s Cameron Boozer, positioned for a breakout year in college, as well as two rising names in Tennessee’s Nate Ament and Louisville’s Mikel Brown.

How this college season plays out will shift opinion to some extent, but there’s potentially quite a bit of impact talent atop the draft. Meaning a tanking team may not need to win the lottery to land a transformative player.

Beyond that, the two suggest that once the Nets (presumably) reap the rewards of their multi-year tank, the 2027 off-season could be an “inflection point” for the franchise in its return to contention.

Because the Nets don’t control their 2027 first-rounder, next offseason — in which they’ll again be heavy on cap space and flexibility — presents an obvious opportunity to accelerate the roster back into playoff contention. What exactly the next iteration of the team will look like remains to be seen, but some potential stars available in free agency and a cache of future draft capital to dangle in trade discussions gives Brooklyn a pathway back to competitiveness if things break right. –

To be more detailed, the Nets owe the Rockets swap rights on their first rounder in 2027, but they also control the Knicks first – unprotected – and could wind up with the 76ers pick – protected 1-8 – that year. It could slip to 2028 which considering how draftniks view the 2027 draft might not be a bad thing.

The rationale behind ranking the Nets after the Thunder is difference between quality and quantity. The Thunder have fewer overall picks: 29, including 13 firsts and 16 seconds, but they could have four first rounders in the 2026 draft. As Marks wrote:

Even if they finish with one of the best records, the Thunder could be drafting in the lottery for the next two drafts. They have a top-4 protected first from Philadelphia next June, the right to swap firsts with the Clippers in 2027 and then with the Dallas Mavericks the following year.

No surprise but in the ESPN Future Power Rankings, the Thunder rank first in management.

Bottom line, of course, is they all have to play the games.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-draf...not-looking-good-despite-cap-and-draft-hoards

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

NY Liberty vs. Phoenix Mercury game 3 preview: Win or go home

The dream might end here. The New York Liberty had a chance to move on to the semifinals, but put forth their worst performance in years as the Phoenix Mercury cruised to a record setting victory on Wednesday night at Barclays Center. It was their worst home loss in years and if things don’t break right in the playoffs and in WNBA CBA negotiations, might be the last playoff game we see at the ‘clays for a good long while.

Where to follow the game​

ESPN2 on TV. Disney Plus on streaming. Tip after 9 PM.

Injuries​

Breanna Stewart has a sprained left MCL, but she’ll be out there. Everyone else on both teams is good to go. Win or go home.

The game​

How do you bounce back from a disastrously bad loss? That’s the question Sandy Brondello and the Liberty have spent the past few days trying to figure out. It will start with how they defend inverted pick and rolls. In game one, Phoenix ran it a bunch with Alyssa Thomas, but the Liberty eventually got successful in defending it. In game two, Nate Tibbetts flipped the switch and ran it with Satou Sabally to TREMENDOUS success

View Link

In an instance like this, I wonder if the Liberty can work to avoid switching there. They have the size to stick to the Mercury wing players and having Sabrina Ionescu constantly having to battle it out on the inside like that makes things more difficult.

speaking of things being difficult for Ionescu, the team is going to need a lot more from her this evening. Sabrina never got in gear, and you could tell things were off when she missed her first four free throw attempts of the game. I can’t recall something like that happening to her before and it was a bad omen for what turned out to be a frustrating night. In the first quarter, she was finding her way into the painted area, and that’s when she’s most effective. When New York gets downhill juice, they become even more challenging to defend and allows them to control the flow of the game. As pointed out by Stephen Trinkwald

32% on almost 700 attempts since that 44.8% season in 2023, 29% on almost 300 attempts this year. That’s not an 8 threes per 36 player!

— Stephen (@trinkwald.bsky.social) 2025-09-19T16:41:56.579Z

Need to trade those threes in for attempts in the painted area.

Breanna Stewart is less than full strength, but the Liberty are going to need every bit of energy she has. In postgame, she mentioned that she was moving as well as could be expected and that the knee feels pretty good. The first day dealing with an injury is always the toughest, and if she’s able to find enough comfort in her game, it can help propel the Liberty into Minnesota and a rematch with the Lynx.

Player to watch: Alyssa Thomas​

The greats always bounce back after rough outings, and AT did her best to erase the sting of Game one. Thomas did a little bit of everything as she had 15/6/7/1 in only 25 minutes of work. As Liberty fans know well from the 2023 playoff series against the Connecticut Sun, AT is more than capable of pitching a complete game if the moment calls for it. Her ability to force the issue and get the defense second guessing itself makes her one of the most challenging forwards to defend in the game and the Liberty will have to press various buttons to keep her in check.

With Stewart at less than full strength, the team should lean on Jonquel Jones more. JJ has a lot on her shoulders and when the team has needed her, she’s delivered. In postgame, she mentioned that the Mercury had them congested and made things really hard on them. JJ also mentioned that the team needs to be more confident in their three point shooting to combat this Phoenix ball club. There have been so many moments where the Liberty haven’t done enough to get Jones the ball, and they’ve got to get that right before their repeat dreams go up in smoke.

From the Vault​

Ones in the air for Diane Martel

More reading: Desert Wave Media, AZ Central, Swish Appeal, Breakaway, SB Nation, Women’s Basketball Roundup, The Local W, New York Daily News, No Cap Space, New York Post, Newsday, The Athletic, NY Liberty Fan TV, Yahoo Sports, Gotta Get Up, Sports Illustrated, Fansided, Just Women’s Sports, Winsidr, Her Hoop Stats, CBS Sports, and The Next

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/all-women...w-alyssa-thomas-breanna-stewart-jonquel-jones

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Deadlines and Commitments – Preseason has arrived edition

Since we last left this feature, a month ago, a lot has happened, the biggest being Cam Thomas decision to exercise his qualifying offer of $6.0 million. Sean Marks ran two mods salary dumps acquiring Haywood Highsmith, a second round Heat pick and Kobe Bufkin. Nets also waived Keon Johnson and, it’s been reported and confirmed by his camp, agreed to sign 6’11” Chinese star Fanbo Zeng. Busy times! Exciting? We’ll know it soon enough. The week ahead is particularly busy.

Oh yeah, the New York Liberty season ended prematurely.

—September 21: Long Island Nets open tryouts at Queens College, the ultimate treasure hunt. Nets GM Matt MacDonalx and head coach Mfon Udofia will pan for gold among 100 hopefuls, one or two of whom will get camp invites to Long Island’s training camp. The others? A t-shirt.

—September 23: Both Media Day and Sean Marks/Jordi Fernandez annual presser. Busy day. Not to mention announcement of 21-man camp roster. It’s an early start for teams for the Nets and four other teams who play overseas in preseason. Brooklyn is playing in China of course.

—September 24: First day of practice for those five teams.

—September 25: Grand Opening of Brooklyn Basketball Center in old Modell’s. Multiple practice courts and state-of-the-art equipment for youth basketball programs. Ceremonies begin 5:30 pm and runs till 8:30.

—September 27: Practice in the Park at the Potomac Playground in Bed-Stuy. Expect 2,500 fans at the playground
Festivities start at 12 noon.

—October 4: Only home game of Nets international-oriented preseason and it’s against Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli League. Will there be protests outside or inside Barclays?
Nets expected to leave for China.

—October 8: Opening of NBA House in Macao where the league will run a four-day “immersive” fan experience featuring former NBA stars including ex-Nets Stephon Marbury, a legend in China, and Deron Williams.

—October 10: First of two NBA China Games vs. Phoenix Suns at the sold-out 14,000 capacity Venetian in Macao. Fanbo Zeng makes his NBA debut?

—October 12: Second of two NBA China Games. Same opponent, same venue. Will David Muoka, a Hong Kong native and likely Long Island Net by then, be on hand?

—October 17: Another international preseason jaunt, this time to Toronto for final preseason game vs. Raptors. No info yet on YES preseason coverage.

—October 20: 5:00 pm ET. Teams have to get down to 15 standard roster spots and three two-ways. Big deadline for remaining players on non- or partially guaranteed contracts: Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Martin, Drew Timme and Ricky Council IV. Might know sooner as roster gets settled.

—October 21: Teams must get to their salary cap floor by the start of regular season. Nets are close after being under much of the summer. If a team doesn’t reach the salary floor before the season starts, the difference gets distributed among all the teams in the league who are above it.

—October 22: Opening night for the Nets vs. the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte: 7:00 p.m. ET

—October 24: Opening Night at Barclays Center vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: 7:30 p.m. ET

—October 31: Traditional date for G League training camps to opens.

—October 31: Deadline for 2026-27 team options on Kobe Bufkin, Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead.

—October 31: Emirates NBA Cup 2025 – Group Play tips off. Nets in group. They will compete in East Group B in-season tournament along with the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers.

—November 3: First of Nets two nationally televised games this season, barring changes. Nets will host the Minnesota Timberwolves at Barclays Center on Peacock.

—November 7: Long Island Nets opening night at Nassau Coliseum. Vs. Capital City Go-Go. How many of Flatbushof Fl 5 will be on hand? How many of three two-ways?

—November 9: First of four New York Knick games, at Madison Square Garden. Others will be played November 24 at Barclays Center, January 21 at MSG and March 20 at Barclays.

—December 10: Jontay Porter sentencing at U.S. Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn on sports gambling charges. Expect Michael Porter Jr. to attend.

—December 16: Emirates Cup Championship, Las Vegas.

—January 1: Kevin Durant returns to Barclays Center with the Houston Rockets.

—January 5: 10-day contracts may now be signed.

—January 10: All NBA contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season.

—January 16: Nets second national TV game, vs. the Chicago Bulls on ESPN.

—January 29: Michael Porter Jr. returns to Denver, the only team he played with before being traded to the Nets

—January 30: Egor Demin returns to Utah where he played college ball at BYU.

—February 5: NBA Trade Deadline (3:00 pm ET)

—February 13-15: 2026 NBA All-Star in Los Angeles, CA

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/longislan...and-commitments-preseason-has-arrived-edition

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Vecenie: Kobe Bufkin could be ‘home run’ …‘worth a flyer’

Kobe Bufkin turns 22 Sunday, making him the eighth youngest Net going into 2025-26. Only the Flatbush 5, Dariq Whitehead and Noah Clowney are younger. He was also the product of the fourth (and final?) Sean Marks summer salary dumps last week, having been secured for the minimum cost of the $110,000 in cash considerations. There were no picks attached unlike the three other dumps.

Primarily seen as a point guard but capable of playing off the ball as well, the 15th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft has little resume to base any rational prediction. He’s only played 27 games in two years, the result of injuries in both of his first two seasons.

But Sam Vecenie, veteran Draft analyst for The Athletic thinks Brooklyn got a bargain and even a “home run” in the Michigan product (who was schooled by Juwan Howard, then Wolverines head coach and now a Nets assistant.)

“This is a home run for the Nets. You absolutely take on Kobe Bufkin’s $4.5 million this year, and I think you opt into the option at $6.9 [million] next year, and you just say, ‘Hey, let’s see what it looks like,’” Vecenie said on The Game Theory Podcast, as first reported by Erik Slater of Clutch Points Saturday.

“In terms of his game, I really like the feel for the game. I buy him as a shooter long-term. I think he plays a very direct game, makes very quick decisions, likes to drive in straight lines. I think he’s one of those dudes that always profiled to me as somebody who plays really well both on and off the ball.

“That ability to shift where you can be the 6’4” point guard next to a star or you can be the off-guard playing next to a primary point guard. That was kind of my vision for him as a player, and I thought he would play really well next to stars because of how well-rounded that game was. Whether or not that bears itself out, we’ll find out. But home run for the Nets to go for it. I think that he’s worth a flier for them.”

Indeed, despite his relative youth and inexperience, the 6’4” guard is likely to get his chances in Brooklyn which currently have only three 19-year-olds who play the point: Egor Demin, Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf.

Also, Marks and co. will a maximum of nine games – four preseason and five in regular season – to gauge long-term value. Brooklyn must decide by October 31 whether to extend him (as well as Dariq Whitehead and Noah Clowney) through 2026-27, the $6.9 million investment that Vecenie mentioned.

He played well this Summer in Las Vegas for the Hawks in his first fully healthy tour with Atlanta.

Bufkin averaged 19.5 points – with a high game of 29; 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and a steal for Atlanta across four appearances. That 19.5 point scoring average was eighth in Summer League. He still has work to do on his 3-point shooting, never hitting 30% in either his limited time in RJ’s NBA or Summer League.

The Nets have not said anything about how they see his told but it certainly appears that they have plans.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-free...e-kobe-bufkin-could-be-home-run-worth-a-flyer

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

New York Liberty eliminated by Phoenix Mercury, 79-73

Aryanna Frank/Getty Images

It started with an injury. Of course it did.

In their do-or-die Game 3 against the Phoenix Mercury, the New York Liberty came out swinging. Breanna Stewart, playing on a sprained MCL, forced a turnover, then took it coast-to-coast but missed a layup. No matter; the Liberty forced another turnover on the next possession, leading to a 3-pointer for Stewart. Leonie Fiebich’s three next time down rimmed out.

And then, hustling back on defense, Fiebich waited at the rim for a sprawling Kahleah Copper, who took off from outside the paint looking to finish over the lanky German. She didn’t, but Copper’s knee connected flush with Fiebich’s mid-section. THOOMP

Leonie Fiebich took a knee from Kahleah Copper to the ribs and slowly walked off the court with help.

Not a good start for the defending champs pic.twitter.com/DWjRLkVDoF

— AK (@Sudharsan_AK10) September 20, 2025

Fiebich stayed down until the training staff walked over and escorted her off the court following a New York timeout. It’s been an injury-filled season for the Liberty, but this was the first one straight out of an MMA match.

Fiebich later returned to the game, but as a shell of her already-exhausted self. She did hit a 3-pointer, but otherwise played like you’d expect someone with a hole in their torso to play, unable to put her body in any truly strenuous position. This was not a development New York could afford; Emma Meesseman and Kennedy Burke, again, struggled to provide neutral value.

Meesseman couldn’t defend in space, and once again, missed all the jumpers, floaters, and layups she chased during the regular season. With the defense already under the microscope, her scoreless performance (including two missed free-throws) made her unplayable. Burke did score eight points on 3-of-9 shooting, but missed all six 3-point attempts — many of them badly — and made head-scratching plays on both ends. The Liberty lost her 21 minutes by 17 points.

New York has been through a season from hell, injury after injury amid the most condensed second-half schedule in the league. A higher power is cursing them. And yet, the Liberty did their best to erase any sympathy. Staring at elimination, they missed free-throws, showed little urgency on the defensive glass (ultimately out-rebounded by 16), threw lazy passes. Basketball is hard, but it can also be infuriating…

the missed free-throws, NYL just looking at this mismatch Tash, not particularly eager to offer any help…

not good: pic.twitter.com/oCPD5vE9Sz

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) September 20, 2025

Watching their miscues made it hard not to look ahead to the offseason. Somehow, the scoreboard suggested otherwise, as they shaved a dozen-point deficit to just four by halftime. Sabrina Ionescu opened the second half with a 3-pointer and a layup, and by the grace of God, New York held a one-point lead.

A Natasha Cloud layup here, some more Ionescu finishes there, and suddenly New York and Phoenix were engaged in a — well, not exactly a heavyweight fight. But it was definitely a fight, as Phoenix took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Sabrina Ionescu had scored 22 points through three quarters, though Alyssa Thomas and her plethora of inverted ball-screens were again aimed directly at her the whole night…

pic.twitter.com/NrYpk5vPkd

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) September 20, 2025

Thomas posted a triple-double, Satou Sabally’s fearlessness occasionally crossed the line, but was largely necessary in the do-or-die contest; she led Phoenix with 23 points. Ex-Lib Sami Whitcomb chipped in 13, while Kahleah Copper finished with 12 after a strong first half.

The Liberty could only dream of such wide-ranging contributions. Cloud scored seven points with four assists and four turnovers. She played admirable defense on Copper, but was largely invisible on the offensive end.

Sigh, Jonquel Jones. Jones is the only Finals MVP in New York’s 29-year history. Jones will forever be a legend in this basketball-crazed city for that alone. Maybe she was determined to see how much goodwill she could lose in a year. My biggest question for the Liberty entering the series was which version of Jones would show up. Turns out, I should’ve been asking if she’d show up at all.

Jones scored three points in Game 3. She shot 1-of-10 from the floor. She fouled five times, many of them terrible plays. It was Jonquel Jones at her worst, in the biggest game of the season, even picking up this technical foul…

Did Jonquel Jones deserve this technical foul?

Via showcaseshabazz on X pic.twitter.com/uoEqr6RtVf

— WNBA Got Game (@wnbagotgame) September 20, 2025

As I’ve written many times, Jonquel Jones possesses otherworldly talent at her size. She, as much if not more than Ionescu and Stewart, has transformed the Liberty into a contender. Finals MVP. But games like this make it hard to believe she’s ever reached such heights. Hell, she scored just 17 points in the series.

The Liberty did not have enough to get it done. They made one of their final 18 3-pointers. All that they’ve been through, getting eliminated in the first round may feel like a natural outcome.

“It was hard to get any kind of rhythm for us,” said Sandy Brondello postgame. “I think we faced so much adversity. I’ve never been on a team — I’ve had injuries with players before, but not quite like this year.”

And yet, it’s hard to blame anything but their own poor performance.

Except for Breanna Stewart. Here is where we talk about Breanna Stewart, though it’s unfortunate that we are confined to this medium, given words are not enough for this all-time great. She scored all 14 of New York’s points in the fourth quarter, the cap to an absurd 30/9/3/2/2 line. Stewie simply took over, taking on the Alyssa Thomas assignment on defense, and on the other end, she didn’t have to demand the ball because her teammates knew there was no sense in doing anything else…

CLOCK IT FOR STEW YORK pic.twitter.com/v06aH8KnfI

— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 20, 2025

It was everything you’d hope to see from a star player in a do-or-die game. Stewie put the team on her back, blowing to smithereens the knowledge that even if New York won, they’d be in no shape to challenge Minnesota. Somehow, she made this hellish game, this hellish season, enjoyable, if just for her transcendent moments. Liberty fans, through nauseous rage, could appreciate that perhaps the greatest to ever touch a ball is on their team.

Stewie led one last mad dash for New York, who trailed 72-64 late in the fourth. But after a couple buckets and stops, DeWanna Bonner got a lucky bounce at the end of the shot clock and Copper hit a flying layup. Ionescu missed a desperate three, and that was it. Offseason time.

Postgame, Stewie committed to staying in New York for the long haul, as did Ionescu…

Stewie/Sabrina were asked how they feel about the future of the team Do they want to run it back? They at first responded with some confused silence.

Stewie: "Well, I'm coming back."

Sabrina: "Yeah."

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) September 20, 2025

They also firmly rebuffed any notion that Brondello’s job should be in danger. We’ll see. We’ll see about all of it, if the Liberty retool or simply run it back. If they even do exit interviews, which at the time of the postgame presser, seemed like a no-go.

So end the 2025 New York Liberty. It’s probably better this way, given the most likely alternative was a demolition at the hands of the Minnesota Lynx, a series that probably would’ve ended at the Barclays Center, with Cheryl Reeve, Courtney Williams, and Napheesa Collier talking a WHOLE bunch of mess after those bitter WNBA Finals a year ago.

It was never the New York Liberty’s year. We knew this, whether deep down or explicitly, since the All-Star break. What championship team plays a 5.5 woman rotation in the opening game of the playoffs? What championship team is nearly the league’s worst rebounding squad? What championship team plays like that in an elimination game? So on and so forth.

Admit it. You’re just a little relieved that it’s over.

Final Score: Phoenix Mercury 79, New York Liberty 73

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nyliberty/99055/liberty-vs-mercury-79-73-breanna-stewart-jonquel-jones

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

NetsDaily Off-Season Report – No. 22

It’s not quite over. It isn’t over till it’s over, as Yogi Berra once said, and Media Day is 10:00 a.m. ET at HSS Training Center . That’s when the Brooklyn Nets off-season will be over. So this is the final edition of this feature. We thank the basketball gods for that if not for the results. It’ll be a while before we know just how good or bad they are, no matter what pundits say.

So where do things stand? After waiving Yuri Collins, the G League assist leader last year on Sunday, the Nets roster stands at 20 players, one short of the maximum allowed for the start of training camp which coincides with Media Day. We expect to see Brooklyn sign Fanbo Zeng. the 6’11” Chinese small forward, to an Exhibit 10 deal (not a two-way) which will bring the number to the maximum. And that will be it for now: 19 standard deals of various types and lengths and two two-ways.

There are a couple of housekeeping, items, however. Ricky Council IV, who reports had the Nets signing, will not be joining the team, according to a league source. A second league source says the former Sixer is injured. That’s one fewer wing on a wing-heavy team. Where he’s headed is uncertain. Also, 6’11” Alabama big Grant Nelson won’t be signed before camp but there’s a chance he might during camp. Nelson had been rumored to be an Exhibit 10.

Brooklyn like other teams will have to get down to 18 — 15 standards and three two-ways — by October 21. In the meantime, it’s 21 with no restrictions on the breakdown.

As for the roster math, it will work like this after the Fanbo signing:

*15 standard guaranteed deals: Nic Claxton, Michael Porter Jr., Terance Mann, Haywood Highsmith, Cam Thomas, Day’Ron Sharpe, Ziaire Williams, Dariq Whitehead, Noah Clowney, Kobe Bufkin, Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf.

*three standard non-guaranteed deals: Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Martin and Drew Timme.

*one Exhibit 10: Fanbo Zeng

*two two-ways: Tyson Etienne, E.J. Liddell

Only seven of the 21 are 25 or older 25 while three remain teenagers. Not a roster to scare the Thunder, but perhaps the youngest roster in NBA history and one that could make a strong play for a top pick at the Draft.

JfromBK, the Nets (annoying) superfan and bane of the front office, asked Jordi Fernandez for his opinion on how many games the Nets will win this season . It went as well as you’d expect…

#NetsWorld Live with Coach Jordi pic.twitter.com/GoFNrXcTZe

— J from BK (@JfromBk) September 19, 2025

Yes, they are still a bit over the salary cap floor — about $2 million — but they have until October 21 to finalize the roster and get to the floor. Brooklyn intends to get right up to the floor — 90% of the cap — and not one penny more — to avoid CBA sanctions. That will give them about $15.5 million to take into the season and likely right up to the February trade deadline. That should be enough to have more cap space at the deadline than any other NBA club. While $15 million is not $60 million, it should be able to help Nets facilitate some deals at the deadline when fewer big deals take place.

So since the end of 2024-25 season, the Nets have picked up 11 new players, including six rookies and moved or didn’t renew seven, the most significant being Cam Johnson and D’Angelo Russell.

How’d they do? That’s currently TBA although the general consensus around the league would tell you not as well as some, including fans, expected. The argument is they could have gotten more for their assets and wealth of cap space. They also think the Nets shouldn’t have used all five of their firsts and for the most part don’t like the individual picks either, noting that with the exception of Danny Wolf all were taken higher, in a couple of places much higher than projected by mock draft. And they point out, the Nets didn’t add any first rounders in 2026.

Bill Simmons called the Denver Nuggets trade “one of the worst trades of the decade, ”but on the other hand, one of his employees at The Ringer, Michael Pina, called the Nets summer “rational if not shrewd” and John Hollinger of the Athletic called the Denver trade “beautiful” for the Nets. A high-ranking source we trust told ND that he has high hopes in particular for Egor Demin and Drake Powell, suggesting both could be very good NBA players.

Who knows at this point. None of the punditry will matter soon enough. It’s why they play the games. By the time of the opener vs. the Cavaliers on October, we’ll have all of our ND staffers look at the final roster and assign grades. Till then, we are all that we have.

Congratulations to Forrest Weber!

We started watching the new Netflix drama, “Black Rabbit,” starring Jude Law and Jason Bateman, the other night for a couple of reasons.

We needed a new series to binge and Irina Pavlova, former CEO of ONEXIM Sports & Entertainment, Michael Prokhorov’s parent company, tweeted out an intriguing Nets connection…

Pretty cool to see some love for the @BrooklynNets and @barclayscenter in the very first episode of #BlackRabbit pic.twitter.com/PaVb8sxbUi

— Irina Pavlova (@TheRealPavlova) September 20, 2025

The clip Pavlova referenced showed Jake Friedken, the Jude Law character explaining to his son, adorned in a KD jersey, the difference between his dad,, and his uncle, Jake’s brother Vince. Jake, a successful restauranteur, broke it down by noting their fandom. Vince, a degenerate gambler and loser, was a Knicks fan while they “love the Nets.”

But that wasn’t the only connection. Vince has literally bet his life on the Knicks, losing hundreds of thousands on the denizens of MSG. At one point, Jake confronts Vince that goes something like this:

JAKE: “You bet Mom’s money on the KNICKS?!?”

VINCE: “F*cking Julius Randle.”

Yes, we laughed. And that brings us to Forrest Weber, a long time (11 years) member of the Nets’ equipment staff, working behind the scenes at Barclays as he rose through his acting career which has now hit new heights. Here’s an IG post from a couple of years ago on how much he loves working for the Nets…

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Forrest Weber (@forrforr)

Weber plays “Junior”, the son of a local mob boss and one of the two enforcers following, threatening and demanding by less than half-measures, the $140,000 Vince still owes on his Knicks wagers. He’s the younger of the two enforcers you see in the series trailer following Bateman .

We’re not TV critics, but we found Weber’s portrayal quite convincing. A scene where Junior asks his deaf mob boss father’s permission to kill Vince, using sign language, is quite riveting.

So congratulations to Weber. Now we have to wonder if he’ll be seated on celebrity row the next time we see him at Barclays.

Final Note

Thanks for reading another year of the Off-Season Report, our 18th. We hope you found it as convincing at Forrest Weber’s performance.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/off-season-report/99101/netsdaily-off-season-report-no-22

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Brooklyn Nets sign Fanbo Zeng to Exhibit 10

Fanbo Zeng, a 6’11” 22-year-old with 3-and-D potential, is joining the Brooklyn Nets on an Exhibit 10 contract. The signing is expected to announced if not Monday then before Media Day Tuesday

Fanbo is the 21st and final player on the Nets roster as the team heads into Media Day on Tuesday. He is the ninth Chinese player in the NBA and the third to play for the Nets either in New Jersey or Brooklyn, a record for any franchise. The Nets, of course, are co-owned by Joe and Clara Wu Tsai who are of Chinese heritage. Fanbo will be the second Chinese player in the league this season, joining Hansen Yang, the 7-foot teenager who the Trail Blazers surprisingly took at No. 16 in June’s draft.

The signing comes a little less than three weeks before the Nets and Suns will play two games in Macao on October 10 and 12, part of the NBA China Games. The games are the first time NBA teams will play in China since 2019 when a tweet by then Rockets GM Daryl Morey encouraging demonstrations against Beijing derailed the league’s relationship with its second biggest market. The game have been preceded by a steady stream of visits to the people’s republic by NBA stars including LeBron James, Steph Curry, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Anthony Edwards, Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell.

While Fanbo is expected to be a big draw in China both at the NBA China Games and in Nets marketing, whether in Brooklyn or Beijing, he’s made it clear that he hopes this contract is his first stop on the road to a more permanent place in the NBA.

Zeng was born in Harbin in China’s far north but spent much of his youth in the U.S., first as a four-star recruit at a Florida high school, where he was named All-State in his sophomore year, then with G League Ignite. He even had a Summer League stint with the Pacers as a 19-year-old before returning to China in 2022 where he played with the Beijing Ducks. This past season, he won the Chinese Basketball Association’s Most Improved Player award and being named first team All-CBA.

As China Daily noted when word of the Nets interest was first reported nearly two months ago:

Representing Beijing Ducks in the CBA’s 2024-25 campaign, Zeng averaged a career-high 14.7 points, shooting 41 percent from 3-pointers, 4.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 blocks in 37 regular-season games, marking his best year in the domestic league since joining Beijing in 2022.

The 6-foot-10 (2.08-meter) forward contributed 15 points to go with 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per night in five playoffs appearances, helping the Ducks reach the semifinals, where he hurt his back in a hard Game 2 fall against the Shanxi Loongs, ending his best season prematurely.

At virtually every stop in his career, Fanbo has shown particular skill at deep shooting and shot-blocking. Here’s some recent Chinese Basketball Association highlights:

His role on the Nets is to be determined. As an Exhibit 10, he will have an opportunity to compete for a standard deal or more likely the open two-way, but the most likely outcome is that he will waived and join the Long Island Nets. On Sunday, ND’s Scott Mitchell talked with Long Island’s head coach, Mfon Udofia, about his impressions of Fanbo who he’s already spent time with in Brooklyn.

“Fanbo, first of all, is a really good human being,” Udofia told Mitchell. “High character individual. Then, from the basketball side, he has a really good skill set, can shoot the ball, and his athleticism is good. I’m excited to coach him, excited to have him, and I think he’ll play very well for both teams.”

Long Island is expected to an incubator for Fanbo and the so-called Flatbush 5, the Nets five first round picks in the 2025 Draft. He is, at 22, the ninth youngest player on the roster.

China is pushing its best to join NBA and top European clubs, hoping the experience will help them develop and the national team win games. Both Hansen Yang and Zeng passed on playing for Team China in FIBA Asia Cup … with the Chinese federation’s blessing. Yao Ming, himself a product of the NBA, is president of the federation.

It’s part of a People’s Republic plan to resurrect its basketball program which has fallen on hard times in recent years. Joe Tsai has been part of the effort, setting up the Joe Tsai Scholarship Fund for promising Chinese teenagers who come to the U.S. for training, much as Fanbo did at Windemere Academy in Florida. Tsai also is financing a first-of-its-kind 12-team, three-nation Asian University Basketball League which opened play with a tournament last month and will field a complete schedule next season.

Now, his team is for the second straight year offering a Chinese player a chance to get NBA experience. A year ago, 6’8” wing Jacky Cui was signed to a two-way deal but tore his ACL in December and was waived after being declared out for the season. Cui has returned to China.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-free...6/brooklyn-nets-sign-fanbo-zeng-to-exhibit-10

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Long Island Nets anticipating arrival of Flatbush 5 and Fanbo Zheng

The Long Island Nets are gearing up for the chance to develop the Flatbush 5 — the Brooklyn Nets record haul of five first round picks as well as their sixth rookie Fanbo Zheng, the Chinese big man expected to be signed Monday.

That anticipation was something that was on full display at the Local Player Tryouts Sunday at Queens College where more than 100 hopefuls vied for a chance to fill out the Long Island roster in front of head coach Mfon Udofia. GM Matt MacDonald and the rest of the coaching staff and front office. While the day’s main work was putting the prospects through their paces, the excitement was focused on the development challenge of the Brooklyn picks.

Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf, and Danny Wolf each have made their mark in college or international basketball. The Brooklyn Nets scouts saw something in each of them and made sure to bring them to the team in the 2025 NBA Draft. Now, fans and coaches alike are awaiting their debuts whether in the NBA or G League.

Sean Marks told NetsDaily the day after the Draft that the picks will spend some time on Long Island. “I assume some of these guys will definitely spend some time in Long Island,” he said. “We’ll have to see how the season sort of plays out and what minutes are there for everybody, but at the same time, as Jordi mentioned, it’s an environment of competitive nature out here. So that’s what we want to see. These guys go compete. There are no promises given to anybody, let alone the draft picks.”

On Sunday, Udofia was even more specific…

Long Island Nets head coach, Mfon Udofia, speaks on the Flatbush 5, developing them, Fanbo Zheng, Canada, and more!@NetsDaily #StrongIsland #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/CgaTj2Pnl1

— Scott Mitchell (@Scott44Mitchell) September 21, 2025

Specifically, Udofia noted that Long Island has used the last several weeks to acquire veteran G League talent to work with the rookies. Probably the most important: Yuri Collins the 24-year-old point guard who led the G League in assists last season.

“The guys that we acquired for this year are more veteran guys,” said Udofia. “Yuri is going into year three or four. Guys like (25-year-old shooting guard) Malachi Smith, who we got his rights, (24-year-old big) David Muoka, and we’re looking to bring back Terry Roberts and Tre Scott. Those guys add to the mix, who will be down on Long Island, and get them (the rookies) up to speed as much as possible.” Brooklyn also signed 24-year-old wing E.J. Liddell from the Windy City Bulls on a two-way.

While Udofia said that they didn’t add any new resources, per se, to help develop the rookies, but noted that the Brooklyn and Long Island staffs work together.

“Our staff is an extension of the Brooklyn Nets staff,” said Udofia, now in his third year on Long Island. “So, we’re there all summer, all training camp. Since our season ended, their season ended, we’ve been there. It’s a culture that Jordi and the staff set, and we’re just here to mimic that in the G-League. We do a really good job at communicating between both staffs, so it should be a seamless process when those guys (the entire Flatbush 5) come down.”

Long Island did announce two interesting additions Sunday, naming of two new assistant GMs, both from Brooklyn’s player development and operations staff. Kyle Hines, the Euroleague legend and player development coach, and Kory Jones, the manager of basketball operations, were at the tryouts. Both played a role in Brooklyn’s scouting operations and Hines was even given the privilege of calling in one of Brooklyn’s picks on Draft Night. They’ll work with GM Macdonald, who played a pivotal role in the NBA Draft process. He also serves as a scout for the Brooklyn team.

“It’s always exciting whenever you can add new talent and new players to the organization. I’m super excited for each of those guys and the work and journey that lies ahead. Everything we do is a collaborative process. I’m a part of that process. I think it’s exciting. I think we have a terrific group, obviously with Sean (Marks) and Jordi (Fernandez.) Just to be a part of that and all the work that goes into it throughout the year, it’s exciting. A lot of behind-the-scenes, a lot of travel, but to see it all pay off on draft night …”

Another veteran presence that Long Island will have on hand is Tyson Etienne, the Nets’ 26-year-old two-way. Etienne kept turning it up to end the season and got a two-way deal. Udofia believes Etienne can make a difference for the rookies.

“It doesn’t get any better (than Tyson Etienne), and that’s what this league is about,” says Udofia. “Last year, he started the year as a regular G League player and ended the season with a two-way contract. He’s been with Brooklyn all summer and had a really good summer league. I just love his progression. He just continues to grow. It’s the way he works. He’s a really good example to have in our gym, both on the Brooklyn Nets and the Long Island Nets.”

Another name who has been linked to Brooklyn is Fanbo, the Chinese Basketball Association’s Most Improved Player. a 6’11” small forward with 3-and-D potential. Udofia said he has already had the opportunity to work alongside of Zheng and train with him. He spoke very highly of Fanbo at the local player tryout day.

“Fanbo, first of all, is a really good human being,” Udofia told ND. “High character individual. Then, from the basketball side, he has a really good skill set, can shoot the ball, and his athleticism is good. I’m excited to coach him, excited to have him, and I think he’ll play very well for both teams.”

In addition all of this, the Long Island team is still hoping to find its diamond in the rough at their annual local player tryouts . Close to 150 people, split between two sessions, hoped to find their spot on the roster. This is something that has spelled success for Long Island in the past, most recently with Jordan Minor and Frankie Policelli last year and Terry Roberts the year before. Macdonald knows how important the tryout day i….

Long Island Nets general manager, Matt Macdonald, on the draft process, the Flatbush 5, Canada, the Local Player Tryout, and more! @NetsDaily #StrongIsland #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/NaWjNbzngM

— Scott Mitchell (@Scott44Mitchell) September 21, 2025

“This is a huge step for us in our process. Arguably, it’s step one of our season. We’ve had a lot of success here, going back to the last few years. It’s not just guys that make our team and have a great story; no, these guys have helped us win games,” said MacDonald now in his second year as GM. “They helped themselves and their professional careers, and this has been a stepping stone for a lot of these guys, and it starts here. Coach Moo and the staff do a great job. This is a practice-like environment, it’s a lot of the same drills, points of emphasis, and the overall competitiveness we want and we expect as a part of our organization.”

Among those trying out was Romani Hansen. Hansen is a former captain of the United States Virgin Islands Men’s National Team who grew up in the Bronx.. He stands at 6’9” and has a pretty lengthy resume. He played college ball at Pensacola State, Independence CC, Savannah State, and Albany from 2016 through 2020, before going overseas to play some more in Portugal, Finland, Luxembourg, Lebanon and most recently, Venezuela

“I’ve been chasing the basketball dream for as long as I can remember,” Hansen said. “I’ve been playing since I was a young kid in the Virgin Islands. It’s a great opportunity to try and come out and compete for a spot on a G-League team. The ultimate goal is to get into the NBA, but we have to work our way to it. I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”

Hansen is coming off his fifth year overseas. “Right now, I’m hoping to try to get in the G-League door. However, if that doesn’t happen, I’ll take my talents back overseas. I’m just hoping for the best right now.” Hansen was not alone in that sentiment, however, as another local tryout player, from Long Island, hoped to represent his team.

Kyle Harding, who grew up in Roosevelt, Long Island, played his college career most notably at Prairie View A&M. “To play for the Nets that would be big time. I’m home, I get to play in front of my family, and they’d finally get to see me play. In college, I was in California and Texas, so to play in New York would be a dream come true.”

Another player seeking a chance, in his case, a second chance in Long Island was, Josh Alexander. He’ redemption from last year’s tryout. “I’m just happy for another opportunity. I don’t take it for granted,” Alexander says. “I’m just happy to be here and show my agility. I left it all on the court and that’s all I can ask for.”

Long Island training camp opens at the end of October with the season opener November 7 at Nassau Coliseum vs. the Capital City Go-Go.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/longislan...ipating-arrival-of-flatbush-5-and-fanbo-zheng

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Sandy Brondello out as NY Liberty head coach

After four seasons and one WNBA championship, the New York Liberty will be looking for a new head coach.

On September 23, the team announced that they will not be renewing the contract of head coach Sandy Brondello. In a statement, Liberty General Manager Jonathan Kolb announced the decision:

“We would like to thank Sandy Brondello for her everlasting impact on the New York Liberty,” said Jonathan Kolb, General Manager, New York Liberty. “Sandy finishes her tenure in New York as the winningest coach in franchise history, and she took us to never-before-seen heights as the first head coach to lead the Liberty to a championship. We wish Sandy the very best in her next chapter.”

The move certainly comes as a surprise in many circles. After the season ending loss to the Phoenix Mercury in the first round of the playoffs, Breanna Stewart was directly asked about the prospect of Brondello no longer being the team’s coach, and well…

Q: "What would you say to those who question whether Sandy should be here next year to coach you guys again?"

Breanna Stewart: "What the f**…To anybody that questions Sandy…She has our back and we have hers…" pic.twitter.com/2b4lEbZcYf

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) September 20, 2025

Following the game, Natasha Cloud told the New York Post’s Madeline Kenney:

“Sandy did an amazing job this year of getting us through injuries, keeping us together, staying optimistic and positive. Sandy is one of the winningest coaches in this f–ing league… She’s been able to coach amazing players from [Diana Taurasi] to [Brittney Griner] to [DeWanna Bonner] to Stewie to Sab and every player loves her. So I’m holding Sandy’s back. She has my back. She has every one of our backs. There’s a lot of good things that she’s done. There’s a lot of things that we could have done better as a team. But there will never be any finger pointing in this locker room. We’re going to have each other’s back.”

And here we are.

Brondello finishes her time in New York as the greatest and most successful coach in franchise history. In four seasons, Brondello went 107-53 with four playoff appearances, a Commissioner’s Cup championship in 2023 and WNBA championship in 2024.

When it comes to next steps, we’ll look to see what Kolb prioritizes and looks for in Brondello’s replacement. On the Gotta Get Up podcast, I dove into what Kolb and the coaching staff would be looking for on offense in 2026

There will be much for to uncover and discuss when it comes to this decision and what the Liberty plan to do next. This story is FAR from over and we’ll have you covered here at NetsDaily.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nyliberty...ndy-brondello-head-coach-jonathan-kolb-search

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Killian Hayes finds his next stop on path back to NBA, the Cleveland Charge

On Tuesday afternoon, the Long Island Nets traded returning player rights for Killian Hayes to the Cleveland Charge in exchange for a first and a second round pick of the 2026 NBA G League Draft. Hayes was a pivotal member of the Long Island roster in the 2024-25 season, and now his path back to the NBA finds itself in his next stop, Cleveland.

The trade was needed before Hayes was signed to a two-way or Exhibit 10.

Hayes appeared in 33 NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament and regular-season games for Long Island last season. He averaged 17.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2.0 steals in 32.9 minutes per contest. The French native was selected seventh overall by Detroit in the 2020 NBA Draft and was originally acquired by Long Island as an affiliate player from the Brooklyn Nets ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Hayes came into the 2024-25 season with a story that was similar to Dariq Whitehead’s. Hayes was battling injuries and looking for his redemption after being unceremoniously dumped by the Detroit Pistons the year prior. Hayes was horrific at 3-point shooting. He finished last in effective shooting during his first three years in the NBA.

Despite all of that, the Nets gave him a chance, and by the end of his first season in the G-League, he became a very solid shooter. He landed 37.1% of his 3-pointers on Long Island and 38.1% in his short time with Brooklyn. This was a number he had never hit in his three and a half years with Detroit.

Perhaps Hayes’ best showing with the Long Island team came in their final home game in Montreal when he notched a career-high 38 points. This included another personal best of eight three-pointers, something unimaginable in Detroit. It was a clear sign that Hayes was developing well with Long Island, fixing his shot in the process.

“Putting in the work,” Hayes told ND about how his shot has been developing. “Just being confident at the end of the day. I like how my shot is feeling. I like my chances when I shoot the ball. That’s one of the reasons I started going in, just to have that intent whenever I shoot.”

Hayes set out to fix his shot during his short time on Long Island, and he did just that. Mfon Udofia, the Long Island Nets coach does have a knack for developing talents like Noah Clowney, Drew Timme, Jalen Wilson, and others. It was no different with Hayes.

“It’s part of his development,” said Udofia of Hayes’ shooting improvement. “Of course, when you come to the G-League, you have things you’d like to work on, and you want to be selfish about. It’s what we’re here for.”

“Our coaching staff has been doing a really good job with Killian; he’s been putting the work in each and every day, and you can see it paying off. To see him have success has been great because he puts so much work in, and he’s been working really hard.”

While it remains to be seen how Hayes does in Cleveland, he told ND that getting back to the league was still his “ultimate goal.” Hayes was one of Long Island’s best players of the season, and it’s very easy to see why. Not only was he a scoring machine, but he was able to get his teammates involved and be a fantastic playmaker. Now, he finds himself in Cleveland as he looks to get another shot at redemption in the NBA. Indeed, he passed up on a number of Euroleague offers.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/longislan...stop-on-path-back-to-nba-the-cleveland-charge

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

The Nic Claxton hype train is now leaving the station

Evan Bernstein/Getty Images

There’s a sucker born every minute.

After Brooklyn Nets Media Day and one singular post-practice scrum session, I am 100% committed to the belief that Nic Claxton will be great once again during the 2025-26 season. What that looks like on a tanking team, well, I haven’t figured that part out yet.

Claxton spoke on Tuesday and Wednesday about his back, which he injured last summer. The injury required intense management throughout last season, and he even received an epidural injection in the fall, calling it a long-term issue. While his back was little excuse to crash out — as he often did last season in the form of three ejections and four flagrant fouls — the injury visibly hampered him in 2024-25. Occasionally, he didn’t have the lift to touch the top of the square.

But at Media Day, he said the back felt great. And after Wednesday practice, when asked if his health is in a different spot than last season, he didn’t even let the New York Post’s Brian Lewis finish the question: “Absolutely. Y’all will see it.”

Clax, who has transformed from a cherubic rookie to a hardened, seven-year veteran before Brooklyn’s eyes, has been open about his struggles in year six: “Last year was frustrating for the team, frustrating for myself. I didn’t perform how I wanted to. I really just flushed that out and just focused back on the work, like I said, just consistence, being in the gym every day, being around family. It was really good. It was healing. I’m excited for this season. I’ve had a really good, really good offseason.”

Nic Claxton, who suggested he may need to speak to a therapist after getting ejected from a game last season, is not dishonest with the media. He is private, but not cagey. His “really good” offseason included the birth of his first child, a daughter, a fact only discoverable through his girlfriend’s Instagram account.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mariah Castro (@mariahcastro__)

“It changes everything,” said Claxton of fatherhood. “It changes the way you look at life. It changes the way you love, the way you love people, the way you appreciate life. And it gives you even more of a purpose to go out and be the best version of yourself.”

None of these quotes sound particularly fresh or insightful. Claxton isn’t one for an ornate metaphor, but he truthfully analyzes every situation, good or bad, basketball or personal, with such calm conviction. It inspires belief, though I might feel this way solely because I have enjoyed watching him play basketball for the Nets. Still, I believe that his back feels great. That he will recapture his 2022-23 form any day now.

Head Coach Jordi Fernández believes it too: “Nic has had a great summer, and he’s in a great place. I think that it tells you, like, how much he holds himself accountable to a high standard. And it’s great to hear that he feels that way. I do believe he can be way better than than he was last year and right now, since we have this relationship, I think we can even help him more.”

For Clax to do that, he’ll have to play with the motor and physicality he did in 2023, and he’ll have to make more free-throws. But he’ll also have to excel in a pick-and-roll/dribble-handoff heavy offense, and last season it wasn’t always easier. Claxton has never been the most natural screen-setter, and his decision-making as a high-post hub hasn’t come naturally either. (Day’Ron Sharpe is much better in these areas.)

This limits his ability to pressure the rim, which Fernández called his “superpower” on Wednesday. When healthy, Clax cuts through defenses with long strides and high jumps. He can fake dribble handoffs, simply drive to the rim, or roll and dunk on somebody. It’s about setting the right screens, hitting the right cutters, and driving at the right times to maximize these opportunities.

Maybe we’re grasping at straws here, but he did have average 2.1 assists and 1.2 turnovers per game in Brooklyn’s first 41 games last season. He averaged 2.4 assists and 1.3 turnovers in the final 41, and anecdotally, made some better decisions. What does he need to hone in on to be the savvy-yet-dynamic hub that the Nets want him to be?

“I think it’s everything. It’s, like you said, it’s angles. It’s communicating with the coaches what I see, what I felt last year, maybe watching some film, but then breaking some stuff down. And then just consistency, consistently just being myself but getting outside of my comfort zone a little bit.”

Claxton should also benefit from playing more games with Cam Thomas, whose hamstring limited him to 25 appearances last season. No matter where you fall on the CT continuum, he is Brooklyn’s most dynamic scorer, and has showed great progress in pick-and-roll passing…

fantastic early plays from Cam Thomas: pic.twitter.com/2BWA8FwkmT

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) March 14, 2025

“People say a lot. You can say empty calories, whatever. He made the game a lot easier for myself,” said Claxton of Thomas on Wednesday.

“The thing about CT, like, he’s one of the best scorers that I’ve ever played with, and I’ve played with some of the best scorers. Just his ability to put the ball in the basket — and he has to grow, obviously, as a player. He’s still super, super young, and I think this year, he’s gonna continue to show it, continue to get better, continue to get everybody else better.”

With Thomas improving and the Nets drafting a stable of ball-handlers, Claxton should have plenty of opportunity to eat this season. Jordi Fernández thinks so too: “I’m pretty sure Nic will have a career year.”

Ohhh man, don’t tell me that.

Objectively, Nic Claxton does not make a ton of sense on this Brooklyn Nets team. They will not win many games, and the seven-year veteran is playing in front of Day’Ron Sharpe, who returned to Brooklyn in free agency after the best year of his career. Clax, making $75 million over the next three years, is likely still a Net because his play declined as he starting making real money, deterring contenders from exchanging draft picks for him. These inconvenient truths look like broken railroad tracks from my perch atop the 2025-26 Clax hype train.

I get it, he is not the player many Brooklyn Nets fans want to hear about to start training camp. There are rookies, there’s CT and his qualifying offer, there’s new arrival Michael Porter Jr., there’s Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead facing a pivotal year.

And yet, Nic Claxton is still here. He might as well make the most of it.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-anal...pe-train-is-leaving-the-station-brooklyn-nets

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Sandy Brondello ran out of time

Aryanna Frank/Getty Images

This post will be updated on Thursday afternoon with comments from New York Liberty General Manager Jonathan Kolb, who is speaking to a group of reporters in the morning. I’ll also be live Thursday night at 9:30 p.m. ET at this link, talking about Sandy Brondello’s termination and everything else New York Liberty, perhaps some Brooklyn Nets stuff too, but mainly anything that people ask me.

Anyways, Sandy Brondello. Sigh. I wrote this long post about her after the news dropped, and to paraphrase it: I loved covering her. She is is warm, she jokes around, she says what she’s thinking, and this is all true whether the recorders are on or not. I will miss her a ton.

From an outsider’s perspective, I understand why it may seem shocking that the New York Liberty declined to renew her contract for 2026, just one year after she led the team to the first title in franchise history. But here’s something very telling: Nobody on the beat is surprised by the news. Many fans aren’t either. If you are in close enough orbit to the Liberty, this move may not have seemed inevitable, but you damn sure knew it was likely.

Perhaps the New York Post’s Madeline Kenney shouldn’t have caught so much flack for this question (especially given that New York declined to hold exit interviews) after all…

Q: "What would you say to those who question whether Sandy should be here next year to coach you guys again?"

Breanna Stewart: "What the f**…To anybody that questions Sandy…She has our back and we have hers…" pic.twitter.com/2b4lEbZcYf

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) September 20, 2025

I wrote this piece after New York won the 2024 WNBA Finals; although the Libs had climbed the mountaintop, they did so without overcoming their flaws. It was narratively unsatisfying They let less talented teams stick around, they have never fully figured out how to utilize Jonquel Jones, and: “too often, they revert to their worst selves in big moments.”

The simple act of winning did not erase those habits: “They beat themselves. They just so happened to also beat the Lynx.”

I expected major pushback from members of the organization for expressing that sentiment in the wake of a championship. Instead, the couple employees who reached out did so with a tone of acceptance: Well, yeah.

Close your eyes (after reading this parapgraph) and picture this scenario: Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones are all still in New York, as is Leonie Fiebich. Not everybody else is back, but many are. In short, it’s a natural continuation of this era of Liberty basketball. And they are absolutely cooking. They don’t go undefeated, but they bury bad teams when they’re supposed to. They rise to the occasion at pivotal junctures in tight games, Stewie doesn’t have to carry the team for long stretches, and they find the right balance with Jonquel Jones, who in turn is consistently engaged. All in all, the 2026 Liberty are the best version of this team yet, and they win another title. It’s not that unlikely, right?

Now, who’s manning the sidelines? Do you really think that, given the last three seasons, the absolute best version of the 2026 New York Liberty is a team coached by Sandy Brondello? I don’t. And GM Jonathan Kolb doesn’t either. This is how he’s operated over his tenure as New York Liberty GM, exploring every possible avenue to improvement, even if they seem ruthless.

But even this is not particularly ruthless. A colleague pointed out to me that over on the NBA side, Frank Vogel (2020 champion), Mike Budenholzer (2021 champion) and Michael Malone (2023 champion) all lost their jobs two seasons or fewer after winning a title. Kolb and the New York Liberty do not view themselves as a great WNBA team, but a standard-bearing sporting club. And they know a roster this talented doesn’t come around too often.

The WNBA is booming; not only is the talent improving, especially with more international players in the league, but teams are getting smarter. More resources are being poured into women’s basketball than ever, and in this expansion era of the W, new owners will pony up for expansive scouting and analytics departments. To once again be on the cutting edge, the Liberty have to make changes.

This isn’t some nebulous cliché. Per PBP Stats, the Liberty took just over 70% of their shots either from three or at the rim in 2023, which ranked first in the league by a mile. In 2024, that number fell to 65%, still good for second in the W. In 2025, it stayed at 65%, fifth in the league. Pledging allegiance to the 3-point line doesn’t qualify as an analytical achievement anymore.

As a head coach, Sandy Brondello has earned a reputation as a fantastic personality manager, well-equipped to lead star players but perhaps lacking in tactics. That’s a little reductive, maybe a little disrespectful to Brondello’s basketball mind. Still, when you watch former MVP Jonquel Jones play the second half of the season like her mind is somewhere else…

NYL will not repeat unless JJ finds a higher level than she's shown since returning from injury pic.twitter.com/4CbLbX3VGp

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) September 12, 2025

…scoring just 17 points TOTAL in the three-game series loss to the Phoenix Mercury, you can’t help but question Brondello. Isn’t this why she’s here?

Now, Jones and and her teammates bear responsibility for their disappointing season, just as much if not more than Brondello. But with a roster this talented, the head coach is always the first to pay for any underachieving. If Kolb can trot out the big three with a healthy Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Leonie Fiebich in 2026, his team becomes the title favorite once again.

The Liberty now have to figure out who will lead that team. My unsourced but informed guess is that they will hire a first-time WNBA head coach. No retreads. Think someone like Nate Tibbetts, who coached in the G League and was an assistant on two NBA benches over two decades, even interviewing for NBA head coaching positions throughout his career, but ultimately landing on the Phoenix Mercury.

There were questions about how Tibbetts’ hire would go over with Mercury players, but he has endeared himself both to the franchise and to the fans while becoming one of the most respected coaches in the W. The Liberty, an incredibly attractive franchise to work for, view themselves as capable of making that sort of hire. The team’s head coach in 2026 may be new to women’s basketball, but if they are a basketball lifer with innovative ideas and strong communication skills, that’ll do the trick.

Sandy Brondello’s players loved her to the bitter end. She was spotted in photos of the team’s final, celebratory dinner after flying back home from their Game 3 defeat in Phoenix. After news dropped of her termination, many players sent her their love on social media. Brondello is also a New York Liberty legend. Banners hang forever.

Thank you Coach Sandy, for bringing the Liberty its first championship and leaving an everlasting impact on the franchise. pic.twitter.com/cpf0pUGuuo

— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 23, 2025

But every good thing must come to an end. The New York Liberty can proudly hug her goodbye, but they should be excited about where they go from here.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nyliberty/99253/new-york-liberty-sandy-brondello-ran-out-of-time

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Jordi Fernandes provides update on rookies’ health

The Brooklyn Nets hope to field a full roster by Opening Night, still nearly a month away. Haywood Highsmith wasn’t expected to be ready vs. the Charlotte Hornets on October 22, following off-season surgery. But at Media Day Tuesday, he said that’s indeed the plan.

Which leaves only two question marks: rookies Egor Demin who suffered a plantar faschia tear after Summer League in July and Drake Powell who missed all of Summer League with left knee tendinopathy. Powell, it turns out, is close to contact work at HSS Training Center, while Demin is a bit behind. Fernandez promised an update on him “at some point” but the Nets are notoriously conservative both on getting players back on court… and it providing timelines.

“He’s been doing the non-contact part of practice,” said Fernandez of Powell “The next step is to do the contact. It’s gonna come soon. We’re excited because we see how he impacts the game and how good he can be in the NBA. I’m not gonna tell you all the secrets until you see it, but we’re very happy with where he is right now and how much work he’s put into it.”

Indeed in video of the first day of practice Wednesday, Powell could be seen near the end active in defensive drills…

gone campin' pic.twitter.com/EDwggWHr6w

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) September 25, 2025

And Demin?

“Yeah, probably not as close as Drake is. But same thing, they’re following the proper steps, taking care of something that we don’t want it to linger. He’s doing a great job, and we’ll see him sooner than later. We’ll give you an appropriate timetable at some point.”

The 6’9” Demin has been seen shooting around during first practices.

Demin when asked about the injury at Media Day dismissed it as “not a big deal” and Nets insiders say they’re not worried in the least about how the injuries will affect their play.

Fernandez was also asked about another member of the Flatbush 5 — Ben Saraf — who’s gotten a lot of praise for his early play, particularly from team veterans.

“He’s always under control. He’s never too high, never too low. And you can tell, his positional size and his playmaking are unbelievable,” said the coach o f the Nets 26th pick. “His size helps him also defensively. So he can do all those things. And like I said yesterday, he’s played against grown men in professional leagues for three years already, I believe, and last year played at a very, very high level in the German league with Ulm and in the Euro Cup, which is the second tier there.

“ I was obviously able to watch it because I follow those leagues, and he was impressive then at the age of 18. And now being 19, this is obviously the next step, but that’s why you can see his composure.”

Otherwise, the Nets coach said so far, so good on what he’s seen so far after the first two days of practice.

“I think their commitment to get on percent better every day, you can see it,” Ferandez said. “The practice today, it was not just that we had great energy and intensity, but also the quality of play was a little bit better. And that’s what you want to see. You want to see what you can control, keep bring it, but then the proper steps, right? And the focus and the purpose. Because sometimes you’re gonna be in camp and you’re gonna be exhausted, but if you focus and you can do everything you have to do with purpose, it’s right there where we’re gonna keep getting better and take the next step. So very how practice went.”

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-news/99267/jordi-fernandes-provides-update-on-rookies-health

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Brooklyn Basketball gets an assist from Nets and Liberty

Presence matters. When you’re present in someone’s lives, you have a chance to be a force for good. By being present, you can provide support, guide someone through troubled waters, and be a source of consistency in an inconsistent time. That presence goes a long way and allows for you to have the room you need to be at your best. For the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty, they hope their presence allows the next generation of children the chance to achieve their hoop dreams.

On September 25, the long awaited Brooklyn Basketball Training Center opened its doors. Located at the former Modell’s site on Flatbush Avenue and right across the street from Barclays Center, the the center will serve as an afternoon programming site for kids aged 6-17 in both free and fee-based private training sessions.

Although no one is putting a price tag on what the renovation cost, the final product rivals top-of-the-line programs seen at some colleges and universities.

For Opening Day, the community got to spend time with members of both teams as they welcomed them in to their new space.

And it wasn’t just players who showed up for the big day. Cutting the ribbon were the team’s owners … all of them: Joe and Clara Wu Tsai as well as Julia Koch and her son, David who doubles as a Nets basketball operations assistant, a first, along with Sam Zussman, the CEO of Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment and driving force behind the center.

“I really want to say that this is extremely inspiring,” Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart told the assembled crowd. “To kind of reminisce and think about what it will be for a young kid, young boy or young girl to come in here and dream to be it and literally look across the street at Barclays Center and know that that’s their goal. And i feel like as a kid, I’m dreaming of things, and my goal is to play in the WNBA or my goal is to play in the NBA, but how do you do it? And now here having this facility, it’ll show them how they can reach these goals. And with all the technology, between shoot360 and the coaches involved in this, I think it’s gonna be something that everybody wants to be a part of.”

After the initial pomp and circumstance, everyone got down to business. Throughout the afternoon and early evening, the attendees at the Center got hands on coaching from Brooklyn Basketball coaches and staff. Via shooting drills, individual instruction, and teamwork, we got to see the professionals guide youngsters looking to go on a basketball adventure.

Building a bridge in Brooklyn​

At 18,600 square feet, the Center has plenty of room for people to practice, play, and have fun.

“One of the greatest barriers to success is access,” said Brooklyn Deputy Borough President Kim Council who was also on hand. “Our children need to see and they need to be able to visualize themselves in certain spaces. So I’m incredibly thankful to Joe and Clara Tsai for their investment, not just in this facility but in Brooklyn and the larger community. To BSE Global for all the work that you are doing in order to be a bridge to access in communities.”

That theme of accessibility is something we’ve seen throughout the work of the Nets and Liberty. Over the years, we’ve seen the organizations invest in various parts of Brooklyn and make their presence felt. They’ve talked in the past about generational fandom – essentially getting fans at a young age … and keeping them, and when you’re trying to become a positive and prominent presence, you have to meet the community where they are and build that bridge across generations.

“It’s right on point,” Zussman told NetsDaily said of the center’s role, “because if you think about what generational fandom is, you take your kid to something that one of your parents took you to. We are, on the Brooklyn Nets side, 13 years old in the borough. On the Liberty side, we are six or seven years in the borough. That’s young…

“And so, we have to start somewhere. And I believe that this is an incredible way to start because you start right at the beginning of someone’s fandom career if you will. And you would hope that they would also influence and draw their parents with it. I certainly wouldn’t want to tell my kid to go someplace else then where they want. We think it fits. We are planting roots in this community. It does take generations, and I think this is a fantastic way to get ingrained. I can’t think of a more organic way.”

For the Nets and Liberty, community presence has gone a long way in helping them connect with the fans. Although the Liberty fell short of going back-to-back, they saw their attendance increase for the fourth consecutive season and are now firmly entrenched as one of the WNBA league leaders. The combination of success and focus on and off-the court has helped the Liberty be a staple here in Brooklyn and beyond.

And the Nets despite being deep in a multi-year rebuild sold out nearly 99 percent of the seats at Barclays Center last season. Between the two teams, BSE’s two teams put an average of nearly 17,000 fans in the arena on more than 60 dates.

The center will be the hub of the larger Brooklyn youth program which includes free training at the borough’s schools and fee-based training at the center. Indeed, as Norman Oder of Atlantic Yards Report noted this week, the fee-based programs will be pricey. When the eight-week after-school programs start next month, the hour-long sessions will be either $520 for eight hours, or $1,000 for 16 hours. Beyond individualized training, the participants will have access to technology like Shoot 360 a proprietary software tracks and analyzes skill development in ball handling, passing, and shooting before giving instant feedback on performance. Applicants for the program are encouraged to inquire about financial aid, Oder noted.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-feat...-breanna-stewart-natasha-cloud-joe-clara-tsai

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Noah Clowney and the Brooklyn Nets, getting one percent better

Evan Bernstein/Getty Images

It’s easy to doubt the Brooklyn Nets right now. This is true if you, like me, live and die with this team. The start of this rebuild was an odd 2025 NBA Draft that’s been dissed by both national pundits who cover the whole league at a surface level and scouting enthusiasts for whom the whole year is #DraftSZN. Everybody is wrong all the time, and we should be excited for the Flatbush 5, as they are yet to step foot on an NBA floor. Still, on that night, I could only feel disappointment.

Those who couldn’t care less about the Nets (or basketball, really), dying to repurpose low-hanging, engagement-baiting fruit as “original content,” can also turn their nose up at this team. Brooklyn’s most popular offseason addition spent the summer churning out embarrassing quotes. After Media Day, the most popular refrain about the Nets was just how aura-less their five first-round picks. Maybe a valid sentiment, maybe not … either way, the jokes are already six feet deep…

The Nets look like a bunch of actors playing basketball players in a Disney movie

— BetMGM (@BetMGM) September 23, 2025

Good one, online sportsbook!

Meanwhile, inside HSS Training Center, the 2025-26 Brooklyn Nets are off to a steady start. Through three days of training camp, every player has chuckled about the cardiovascular intensity of a Jordi Fernández-led training camp, just as they did last year.

“I’m glad I was in shape when I came. If I wasn’t in shape, I’d be in trouble,” laughed Kobe Bufkin.

All the buzzwords are buzzing: physicality, ball-pressure, communication. Only time will tell if they are actual tenets of this year’s Brooklyn Nets team. Last year, Fernández did implement an aggressive defense that, for long stretches, caused turnovers and havoc last season; should would we expect anything different now?

“A lot of teams want to do it but a lot don’t practice it,” said Bufkin. “We have specific drills and things that we actually do, and it’s constantly talked about, that we want to do it. A lot of people do press conferences about it, but they don’t really preach about it. Our coaching staff preaches about that.”

Of course, this type of training camp analysis won’t garner much attention. Nor will Day’Ron Sharpe living up to his stated offseason goal of working on his body; he looks noticeably trimmer in camp…

Day’Ron Sharpe slimmed down over the offseason. He’s listed at 265-pounds on the Nets’ camp roster. pic.twitter.com/skCIB0MI9i

— C.J. Holmes (@HolmesScribe) September 25, 2025

Don’t fret. When asked if the suddenly slim Day’Ron was still the strongest guy on the court, Noah Clowney could only smirk. Speaking of Noah, he too looks like a changed man. At Media Day, his coach mentioned that the 21-year-old now looks like a “grown man,” after an offseason spent eating and lifting weights; he sure does. His shoulders, arms, and chest are obviously bigger this season, noticeable even to the casual observer. It seems Noah isn’t quite yet sick of the compliments…

A beefed up Noah Clowney couldn’t help but crack a smile when asked about his new physique:

“Just been eating and staying in the weight room… I just turned 21, so I don't really have the grown man weight yet. So everything I got right now, I've been forcing it." pic.twitter.com/59bDtsi1BL

— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) September 26, 2025

We all know why Clowney packed on the muscle: “Being a better driver, I have to get stronger, I have to be able to drive through contact and be able to still be able to explode.”

This season, Clowney shot just 58% at the rim, per Cleaning the Glass. Among players listed at 6’9” or taller (min. 10 attempts), only a handful of very green or very gray dudes did worse than that: Matas Buzelis, Taj Gibson, Kevin Love, and Quinten Post … Expand the query to any shot inside the free-throw line, and Clowney shot just 41% in total.

I wrote that at the end of last season, and while Clowney’s 3-point percentage will always draw the eyes first, it’s tough to imagine him being a positive offensive player if he can’t make anything shake inside the paint. The third-year pro, though, has been lauded as a ‘sponge’ since the day he arrived in Brooklyn. And in typical Clowney fashion, he’s spoken about his strengths and weakness with great clarity so far in training camp.

When asked about what he wants his offensive decision-making to look like this year, he kept it simple: “I think in transition it will be downhill. It’s easy because everyone is not loaded and it’s the easiest way you can get there and just being able to play off two [feet]. I don’t know what’s behind me. If somebody’s trailing, pull-behinds are usually open playing off two. I did a lot of bump euros off of one. You know, you got a [seven-]footer in front, and you have to make a decision and not turn it over.”

Noah was a poor driver last season, but every so often, you saw flashes. It’s not that he doesn’t know how to play the game…

Noah Clowney DHO to the lob okay?? pic.twitter.com/7g1Q6P3VSU

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) March 19, 2025

…just that his body hasn’t caught up to his mind.

At Friday’s practice, Jordi Fernández said he is “excited to watch [Clowney] play real games. And obviously, you’ve got to go through training camp and the preseason games, but he’s done a great job. His ability to shoot, his size and getting better at playing off two feet in the paint, limiting turnovers and fishing better at the rim.”

Then, I followed up with a question about getting young player to slow down in the lane, to get to two feet: “If you think about it, a lot of our players have been, you know, top athletes all their lives. And when they get to this level, a lot of them, they just think they’re gonna go to the rim, jump and finish, and a lot of times, they’ve never had to figure it out that way. Challenging centers in the best league in the world is not necessarily a good thing, and learning how to do it … a lot of times, the best finishers are guys that have never been that gifted early on in their careers, and they had to find a way to play off two, to be a better decision-maker, and finish when you have the advantage. So I think it’s part of the process. As coaches, we need to figure it out. So it’s a good challenge for us. Our players are buying into it, and we want to be a better fishing team, because last year we were a poor finishing team.”

If there’s one complaint, albeit an inconsequential, to have for this Nets team through three days of training, it’s that it’s been tough to find a good quote. But there was a detailed, insightful answer to cap the week. And not just because it gets into the nitty-gritty of NBA skill development, but because it may reveal something about the head coach and this Nets culture.

It’d be easy to chalk the Brooklyn Nets being a poor finishing team in 2024-25 up to the personnel: They didn’t have good finishers. Isn’t the only way to fix that to acquire better ones? Well, that’s not Jordi Fernández’s M.O., and it extends past rookies and young players, though in Clowney’s case, he is just 21 years old in his third year. Natural improvement is to be expected.

But Fernández would say this about every player on the roster. When he talks about Michael Porter Jr. or Nic Claxton having a career year, you believe it’s sincere. He doesn’t view these veterans as finished products, not just in the way he’ll use them, but even in their own personal skill development. Getting “one percent better each day” may be a cliché in Brooklyn by now, but that doesn’t mean it’s hollow.

“Jordi does a great job of making us work but also keeping us levelheaded,” says Clowney. “You still need to enjoy your job. You’re going to come in and you’re going to work, but like, we’re going to have some sections here when we’re going to have some fun. So, people are happy to come into the gym.”

There’s never as much real insight to take away from training camp media availability as the hype around the start of the NBA season would suggest. Rookies Drake Powell and Egor Dëmin working back from injuries, Ben Saraf is impressing folks (we’ll have more on that soon), and of course, there are some #WeightRoom sightings.

So much is riding on the rookies. Their early play, in many minds, will determine if the Brooklyn Nets rebuild is off to a nice start or if it’s a disaster waiting to happen at launch. But there just might be a budding culture, Noah Clowney just might be improving, players just might believe in the coaching staff in Brooklyn.

We can only learn all this during the regular season, still nearly a month away. Even after one rebuilding season, after plenty of aspersions cast from the outside, this era of Brooklyn Nets basketball has barely begun. And there is life inside HSS.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-news...-the-brooklyn-nets-getting-one-percent-better

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

What if Cam Thomas is who he thinks he is?

(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Cam Thomas believes he’s a star. And there’s no telling him otherwise.

Not Sean Marks, other NBA GMs and certainly not Zach Lowe, etc. Not any of the fans or pundits who felt whatever they did about him amid contract negotiations. The Nets chose to take a different route, drafting several guards while ultimately reaching a stalemate with Thomas. And so, he goes into 2025-26 on a $5.99 million qualifying offer, a free man at season’s end.

It’ll be a year of limbo between Brooklyn’s rebuild and a fifth-year guard, which Marks rightfully said Thomas has a “chip on his shoulder.”

Here’s where things can get funky for the homegrown-lovin’ Nets: What if Thomas is the star he believes he is?

That’s not a declaration, it’s a legitimate question: What if the 23-year-old homegrown Net exceeds all expectations and becomes a flourishing star in the NBA? The measure of success ultimately comes down to results — can he erase the noise and buy into something that might not include him beyond 2025-26? Could it potentially derail tanking plans?

The Nets gambled with Thomas. They conditioned their flexibility with him specifically, thus Thomas gained control of his own destiny in the offseason. He gambled on himself, too. Thomas is ultimately expecting to be paid more next year based on his personal expectations that he can be a star on a good team. Next year will likely give him more opportunities for a long-term deal: At least 10 teams and possibly more will have cap space. This year, Brooklyn had a monopoly.

After averaging 22.5 points in 66 games in 2024-25, the 6’3” guard came back and averaged a career-high 24.5 points in his first year under Jordi Fernandez, though he only played in 25 games due to a hamstring injury. That injury history hurt him as much if not more than his deficiencies in playmaking and defense.

A lot of attention was focused on his “pushback” about narratives that he’s a “ball hog,” but Cam defended himself at Media Day in a fair manner.

“I think people just wanted something to talk about,” Thomas said Tuesday. “Last year when I was out there playing, we were the 6-7th seed in the East and everybody wanted us to lose and tank, so that’s not really a fair fact about the way I play.”

Here are the facts behind the matter.

The Brooklyn Nets were the eighth seed in the East with an 8-10 record when Thomas injured his hamstring on November 25. The tank could begin. By time he returned on December 29, the Nets were seven games below .500 and both Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith were traded during the weeks Thomas out. He played one more game on January 2 and then we didn’t see him again until February 28, when the Nets were 21-38.

He scored 30+ points (one 40+ point game— the ninth of his career) in six of the first 18 games when he was healthy and the Nets were rolling. He tweaked his game a little bit and took more threes and less mid-range jumpers, averaging 10.4 FGA within the perimeter (down from 12) and 7.8 three-point attempts (up from 6.0).

He distributed the rock more and finished with a career-high in assists (3.8) and even held the ball less if you want the nitty gritty, finishing fourth on the team for average touches per game (59.9) behind Schroder, D’Angelo Russell, and Ben Simmons. Thomas slightly improved his average seconds per touch from 4.03 in 2023-24 to 3.9 in 2024-25.

Thomas closed out his answer regarding offseason comments with this: “Being honest, I’m pretty sure not many people watched the Nets last year that was actually [able] to comment on the situation.”

That notion isn’t far fetched for a team that had virtually zero intrigue after Thomas got injured and Schroder and Finney-Smith were traded. Not to mention, they only played one game on TNT and four on NBA TV.

Small sample size or not, the Nets offense was limited with shot creators and the possession sometimes ended with a desperation attempt as the shot clock expired. They led the NBA for field goal attempts (10.7 per game) when the shot clock was at four seconds or less; second-most FGA in the NBA (9.6 per game) when the shot clock ranged from seven to four seconds.

This is not an efficient means of offense and at times, Thomas became a victim from Brooklyn’s inability to create shots quick in a half court set. The 23-year-old attempted the third-most field goals in the NBA (2.4) with the shot clock at four seconds or less, trailing only Brandon Ingram and James Harden.

Here’s Thomas’ shot volume based on time remaining on the shot clock:

• 4-0 seconds (very late): 2.4 | 3rd in the NBA
• 7-4 seconds (late): 2.1 | 11th in the NBA
• 15-7 seconds (average): 9.6 | 10th in the NBA
• 18-15 (early): 1.9 | Rank N/A
• 22-18 (very early): 2.0 | Rank N/A

All stats via NBA.com

Sure, it’s a testament that he gained trust from his counterparts on the court, but it also goes back to his point about watching Nets games and understanding the circumstances. They overachieved early, he got hurt, but they were a playoff team when he was healthy.

He’s often labeled a shot chucker, but 13% of his shots came within the final four seconds of the shot clock. Is that an indictment on him or the situations the team put him in? Maybe both?

We can pile onto his argument and mention how he’s made history, specifically his 40-point outbursts. There’s simply no need to go there. It wasn’t enough then and it isn’t now. So both sides are looking forward.

As for his defense and playmaking, he’s made improvements, but they’ll have to improve more if he’s going to get his bag because teams increasingly want complete players. The question for the Nets as well as other teams that might want to take chance on him is simple: Can he help the team win?

There is optimism on both sides at least publicly.

“We had really good conversations with Cam [Thomas] towards the end of the summer when it became pretty apparent he was coming back and we weren’t gonna find the common ground on a contract,” Sean Marks told YES. “What defined it for me was he said, ‘I’m all in. I’m all-in on Brooklyn, I want to be here.’ I think that showed maturity on his behalf… He has an elite skill and that’s a skill that any coach and any team can capitalize on.“

The last sentence is interesting. So are his comments about Thomas being “all-in” with Brooklyn, the only time that Marks gave a peak inside any conversations between the Nets and Thomas. It’s the right attitude for someone who wants more for themselves in the future. It’s a stinger for Brooklyn fans who longed for Thomas to remain a Net in the long run.

Which begs the question again: What if he blossoms into a star this year? Does that automatically mean the Nets overachieve and potentially hurt their draft odds? Could he be a trade piece? That’s not likely. He would have to approve any deal and again, at this point and likely through the deadline, only one team has cap space … his team.

We won’t know anything of course until the games begin, but this is all to say that it should be fun (if puzzling) watching a rebuilding team with minimal expectations clash with a good coach who wants to win every game and a hungry young player like Thomas who needs to change his perception around the league.

It probably won’t make or break the Nets. One player very rarely does. However, one of those very rare players was his biggest believer.

“My legacy is predicated on what Cam Thomas is learning from me and what he’ll take away to help him by the time he’s in his 10th year,“ Kevin Durant said in November 2022, in a bit of an overstatement. “That’s my legacy.”

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-analysis/99215/what-if-cam-thomas-is-who-he-thinks-he-is

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Brooklyn Nets Host Practice in the Park 2025

We talking ‘bout practice — in the park.

The Brooklyn Nets hosted their annual preseason event this afternoon at Potomac Playground in Brooklyn. Despite PITP being a longstanding tradition for the team, this year’s get-together carried a fresh energy.

With the team having all five of its rookies in attendance today, several players experienced the Bed-Stuy fan fest for the first time. Veterans Terance Mann and Michael Porter Jr., who the team acquired via trades this summer, also added to that. This is a fresh team, with a fresh season on the horizon, and it felt that way.

Egor Dëmin is here pic.twitter.com/9rUaGft2fs

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) September 27, 2025

“On behalf of the team and myself, welcome to this beautiful event,” Jordi Fernández said. “We’re excited for this 2025-26 season, these guys here, coaching staff, everybody around, support staff, medical performance, have been working really, really hard, and we’re working hard to represent our fans, support this community, and show the whole world what ‘The Brooklyn Way’ is.”

Fernandez wasn’t alone in shouting out the late great Notorious B.I.G. In fact, the coach’s words weren’t even the half of it. Perhaps the biggest story surrounding the Nets over the past week has been their decision to bring back their Coogi uniforms inspired by the rap legend’s wardrobe. The Nets had the design everywhere they could put it.

Ziaire Williams, gearing up for his second season in Brooklyn, sure as hell didn’t mind.

“We were excited,” Williams said, recalling the team’s reaction to the uniform announcement. “These are super fly. I love them. We’re gonna look fly on the court with these. I can’t wait for our first game.”

Williams and Dariq Whitehead were first out of the tunnel as the team introduced, but Cam Thomas drew the loudest cheers. Nic Claxton, however, was a close second.

Cam Thomas pulls in the loudest ovation at Potomac Park pic.twitter.com/gEHJbUq161

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) September 27, 2025

This is merely an eye-test, but attendance seemed low compared to last year. However, the crowd did include Kenny Lofton Jr., who bounced around the league on two-way contracts before playing overseas last year. Could be nothing, could be something.

Speaking of international hoops, losing the worldwide pull that Ben Simmons and Cui Yongxi carry might’ve contributed to fewer fans showing up today. Fanbo Zeng generated a decent amount of noise once being introduced, but didn’t have Chinese media hot on his tail like Yongxi did last year.

Shrunken or not, the crowd was well satisfied. The rookies were especially active signing autographs and taking pictures with fans, doing so outside the park after the event technically concluded. Kobe Bufkin even found a follower all the way from the ATL.

Kobe Bufkin meets up with a fan. Looked like he had one of his old ATL jerseys that he’d signed before. Cool moment. pic.twitter.com/ckmav3VQwu

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) September 27, 2025

Danny Wolf, who also spoke with the media during the event, shared a similar sentiment.

“I’ve done community events, but nothing has compared to this,” Wolf said. “It’s a really well put together event. It’s always cool to get involved in the community like this.”

The abundance of youth at Brooklyn’s training camp hasn’t stunted conviction or hype, even in the eyes of the team’s veterans.

“They look great man, they look confident, holding up well, and learning a lot,” Williams said of the Flatbush Five. “As a rookie, everything’s being thrown at you all at one time. They’re handling it pretty well.”

“It’s different,” Wolf added. “I mean, obviously it’s all that I know, because it’s my first year — but [the team] just has that young feel to it. Still have that veteran leadership but guys are excited to be around each other.”

Once rejoining everyone on the blacktop, Wolf, Williams, and the rest of the team played a few rounds of knockout with the kids in attendance. They also participated in a shoot around. After that, players and their younger, far shorter teammates, did a jersey giveaway.

Like last year, Nets closed things out today with a jersey giveaway pic.twitter.com/3Q3aimev05

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) September 27, 2025

Contrary to the event name, no actual practice was held today, not that anyone expected to see full speed drills or hear Fernández’s whistle. But for those wondering, Egor Dëmin and Drake Powell did move around well, even if just waltzing about and taking occasional jumpers. Both have been limited in training camp. Sean Marks revealed last week that Dëmin has a torn plantar fascia.

Other than that, all was quiet on the Brooklyn front on this warm September afternoon. Maiya the Don performed. Fans enjoyed cotton candy, popcorn, and had the chance to purchase custom graffiti-like t-shirts, which conjured up a line that could’ve stretched over to Throop Ave.

I talked to a handful of fans waiting for the subway on my way home. One father told me they went to Potomac Park “for his son,” who’s an avid Michael Porter Jr. fan. That seems to be where everyone’s head is at right now — concentrating on the kids. And while that’s led to the abundance of question marks centering around the team ahead into this pivotal season in the rebuild, it’s also what’s led to more optimism we’ve seen in some time.

Both were felt this afternoon in this intro to the 2025-26 campaign. The Nets won’t be a perfect team this year, but they are in a perfect position to inspire, amaze, or perplex further. Here’s to starting one of those, at least. Here we go.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-news/99367/brooklyn-nets-host-practice-in-the-park-2025

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Random notes from a different kind of Media Day

Back in 2013, after the Brooklyn Nets traded for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry, the court at Barclays was cordoned off and filled with journalists and TV crews from national and international media as well as the local beat reporters. WFAN went live. The owner flew in from Moscow on his Gulfstream 5 to greet his new employees.

When six years later, the Nets introduced Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving — what a thrill it was to see arguably best player in basketball in black-and-white — the scene was the main court at HSS Training Center with the spectacular view of Manhattan whose cellar-dwelling team had been eclipsed for the moment. More lights, cameras, excitement.

We all know how those worked out. In case you’re new around here: They didn’t.

So maybe Wednesday’s Media Day, a barebones operation in line with the team’s limited expectations, is the smart move. Media gathered in the conference room across the hall from the main court and the Great Window. No national media. No live stream. No great views of autumn in New York. No windows at all! A couple of lights, few cameras, way less excitement.

Indeed there was one fewer local media on hand than there was a year ago. Newsday had no one there and there’s no indication they will be there during the season as well. Of the six reporters lined up in the first row, one was a Nets employee, two were newspaper beat writers, three represented blogs. No disrespect. One of them was our Lucas Kaplan, as good as anyone, period.

But that’s the way it is in September 2025. The Nets are the NBA’s afterthought. ESPN ranked the roster 30th out of 30, management, aka the front office, 25th. Vegas has them at the bottom of the betting slips. They’re the youngest team in the league … maybe ever. No NBA team is irrelevant, but among the 30 teams in the NBA, the Nets are pretty close.

With that dropback, literally as well as figuratively, what to take away from Sean Marks and Jordi Fernandez’s Q-and-A, as well as the 21 players from Fanbo Zeng, Exhibit 10 just in from China, to Terance Mann, just back in Brooklyn where he grew up? Bottom line: The Brooklyn Nets look comfortable in their own skin. They’ll play to win, even if they don’t have a whole lot of talent. They’ll follow Jordi over a cliff and do what they can do, not lament what they can’t. They’re so young with nine players 22 or younger, they may not even know they’re supposed to tank! Bliss! Sure, no one is sure if Michael Porter Jr. “gets” it nor how Cam Thomas will take the challenge, but there were no surprises.

It’s the second year (okay, second and a half) of a rebuild, with the end game not yet in sight. If they get a top pick in June and Jordi continues to solidify his reputation — develops the young’uns, upsets a contender or two and above all keeps things professional, the hope is they’ll be able to attract the next superstar, the next KD? That’s a stretch, at the moment. More likely, it’ll be more of the same the next couple of years. You hear the phrase, “next two or three years” when insiders talk about the future.

In an interview with New Zealand Sport Nation, also this week, Auckland native Sean Marks put it this way: “In our market that’s the exciting thing about Brooklyn, New York . We will attract stars and hopefully the right way and do it at the right time ”… not further defined

But make no mistake, while the city and borough are the lure everyone talks about, it’s Jordi who the front office thinks will bring them what they need … the head coach as first piece, the keystone. The mantra is simple: We have Jordi, the coach who can develop homegrown stars. It was, they posit, Kenny Atkinson’s coaching and development success that attracted Kevin Durant. Yes, he said it was.

In the meantime, what you see and will see for a while is going to be dictated by the CBA with its draconian sanctions for overspending, its incentives for those who manage their wallets and develop your own.

The Nets decision to use all five of their firsts, indeed adding one hours before the draft, may have puzzled some but the decision was based on the CBA and the future as much as anything else. Controllable rookie contracts — four years, first two guaranteed — have become critical in team-building, they believe. The total bill for the Flatbush 5, if all stick around for four years, is $95.7 million. It’s the balance against what’s going to be needed to pay stars without breaking the CBA bank. If they hit the lottery next year, they’ll have yet another. (When asked why they didn’t add a 2026 first — beyond their own — with all that cap space, the answer is that the picks in a great draft have to be available first. No doubt they’ll try again at the deadline.)

At some point, as Marks told his fellow New Zealanders on Sport Nation, it will be “time to press go,” but not in the fashion they did back in 2019 and 2020 “not doing any knee-jerk reaction that would be detrimental to the future of this team.” That has to be a strong suggestion that development will be their top priority for the foreseeable future until an opportunity arises, whether in free agency or when a superstar wants to move on.

The choice to have the league’s youngest roster, maybe ever; husbanding draft picks — a league-high 32; signing young players to non-guaranteed deals or to deals that are short term is all part of that development priority. Players, Marks said, understand. Well, all but one.

“Players are playing for the jersey but also what’s my next contract look like. We’ve made it very clear that signing short term deals and by keeping short-term flexibility we’re going to be able to pay players, ‘are you going to be one of them?.’” Marks told Sport Nation, while also saying, “we’ve got to teach a little bit of patience” to fans. who understandably want “immediate results.”

In the end, he said, even when the Nets go for stars to propel them back into contention, the plan is to have a margin of flexibility left,” enough to navigate the CBA long-term, one season after another.

This year will likely included a lot of turnover, not likely as much as last year when at one point or another, a record 27 players were under contract. They know development of the younger players (and who among them doesn’t qualify as “young”) is likely to be frustrating with one step forward, two steps back regimens quite evident. Because they have the luxury, at least in their mind, of all those picks, don’t be surprised over the long term that the best player this year may not wind up to be the best player by the end of those four-year deals.

Players will be thrown into the fire early. Players will be asked to do things they haven’t done previously, play another position, sacrifice one skill for another the team needs more. Some will rise, some will fall. The Nets have already dumped two young players — Keon Johnson and Tosan Evbuomwan — and passed on a third who they had agreed to sign — Ricky Council IV — for different reasons. On the other hand, there’s positive development news about Noah Clowney, Nic Claxton, Ben Saraf among the rookies and Tyrese Martin among the vets.

There will be competition for that third and final two-way slot. The Nets have until October 21 to finalize the roster, decide which among the non-guaranteed to keep, then 10 days more to determine how many of their three extension-eligible 21-year-olds — Kobe Bufkin, Noah Clowney and Dariq White — will be around a year from now.

Don’t expect another salary dump. Marks told Sport Nation: “We haven’t used all our cap space. We don’t intend to.” Still, expect them to have a near-monopoly on cap space at the deadline and a significant number going into next season.

In the end, it’s going to be a long time before the HSS practice court is cordoned off, the shades raised on the Great Window and camera crews are escorted in for another grand celebration like those of bygone days. Have to hope the next one works better than they did, big rollout or no.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-analysis/99299/random-notes-from-a-different-kind-of-media-day

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Michael Porter Jr. talks possible retirement … ‘take it a year at a time’

Michael Porter has officially moved on from the Denver Nuggets, this week, putting his opulent city dwelling on the market for $5.25 million, three months after he was traded along with a future first for Cam Johnson. MPJ also spoke this week with Justin Laboy, a New York-based podcaster about his time in Denver, why he thought he was traded, his relationship with Nikola Jokic and of course, wound up in yet another controversy, this one a toned down version compared to some of his more recent forays. It is hard to keep up.

For Nets fans, the big news was that Porter, now 27 with two years left on his deal, said he’s taking his career ”a year at a time — and plans to go off the grid next summer to consider what’s next. “So I’m committed to basketball and putting my all into it for the next year. And then after that, I’m gonna reevaluate.”

A number of pundits have suggested that the Nets could move his contract — $38 million this season and $40 million in 2026-27 — to a contender a year from now when his deal is expiring.

He admitted his history of back injuries and how he fares this year — as well as his mental and emotional status — could have an effect.

“Because of the injuries and stuff, I don’t know how much longer I really want to play,” he told Laboy, a former professional athlete himself whose career was cut short by injury. “Like, I want to play as long as I can, but people don’t understand the things I’ve got to go through on a daily basis—just to get out on the court and play with the best athletes in the world.”

One of the best high school basketball players of the last decade, MPJ suffered back issues that required three back surgeries early in his career with the Nuggets, but in the last two years, he’s missed only six games. He did suffer a serious shoulder injury that limited him in Denver’s post-season which ended in a second round loss to the eventual champion OKC Thunder.

He explained his health issues in depth.

“My injuries were very unique because there was nerve damage, right? The nerves are what send the signal to your muscles to fire. In my situation, my nerve was compressed for a long time. So by the time I finally had some of these surgeries, the nerve had been compressed so long that my muscles stopped working,” he told Laboy. “To this day, my left leg does not work like my right leg. So I’ve got to wear a brace in the game. There’s a lot of compensation that goes on because I’m moving different from left leg to right leg. It’s really technical, but there’s a whole lot of compensation. My hips might get thrown off, my feet get to aching because I’m not distributing the weight properly because of the nerve injury.”

He also noted that ex-Net Ben Simmons, whose play was limited by two back surgeries, suffers from some of the same issues. (Indeed at one point in his recovery from his second back surgery, Simmons lost feeling in his foot, a league source told ND.)

“Yeah, after three back surgeries… You know, people say the same thing about Ben Simmons: “Oh, he doesn’t want to hoop. He’s mental.” No, he had one or two of the injuries I had. I’ve had three of them. So I know—it’s not that he doesn’t want to hoop, it’s the fact that those injuries are serious injuries.“

Porter said that he did a lot of thinking about his future after the trade when he went off the grid in Central America.

“Really, what I started doing though—earlier this summer, I went to Costa Rica, put my phone up, didn’t touch it for four days, and spent time thinking about just the next year. Let’s plan the next year. See if I even want to play basketball this next year. Let’s go deep and see: What do I want to focus on? What am I really thinking, right?,” MPJ noted.

“I put my phone up, started doing journaling, started doing reading. First time in my life I’ve done that, right? And I came to real clarity. I decided: all I’m going to do is take it a year at a time. So I’m committed to basketball and putting my all into it for the next year. And then after that, I’m gonna reevaluate. I’m gonna take a trip somewhere else, put my phone up for four or five days, and reevaluate for the next year. So that’s kind of how I want to do it moving forward. I don’t want to plan too far in the future. I just want to take it a year at a time. You feel me?”

In discussing the trade from the only team he ever played for — and won a ring with, Porter said he thought it was more about getting the Nuggets a fresh start.

“Basically, what happened was after we lost, they fired—you know—the head coach. They fired him two or three games before the playoffs. They fired the GM. So a new GM comes in, and I think he just wanted to switch stuff up. Then that deal came up with Cam,” he said. MPJ has said he was surprised by the trade but there were reports following the trade that the two sides had been talking for a while.

He dismissed Laboy’s suggestion that Nikola Jokic had anything to do with his departure.

“The thing was—me and Joker got an amazing relationship,” he argued, suggesting that it was more a corporate decision. “Joker is so laid-back—I really don’t feel like the owner and the GM had many conversations with him. I feel like Joker was just like, “Hey, it’s y’alls.” Like, Joker is so humble. He works really hard. But he’s not the type of guy to step on people’s toes or be super controlling, even though he probably could and has that power. He doesn’t really do that. So I think it was more the new GM coming in with the owner. They kind of sat down, and they just wanted to go in a different direction.“

Porter also spoke about how Jokic, like LeBron James, takes care of his body, citing the three-time MVP’s post-game workout.

But “Joker is one of the most dedicated, hardworking dudes I’ve ever been around. You hear the stories about LeBron and how he takes care of his body? Joker’s the same way. I’m talking about—he’s one of the last ones to leave after every game. After playing 40-some minutes and having the usage he does, He goes right up to the weight room to lift. Only like 3 or 4 of us did that. Every single day, on the off days—he’s in there taking care of his body.”

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/nets-news...-possible-retirement-take-it-a-year-at-a-time