The Nets have exercised their fourth-year team option on big man Noah Clowney for the 2026/27 season, the team announced today (Twitter link via Adam Zagoria of NJ.com).
Clowney, who is earning roughly $3.4MM in 2025/26, will now have his $5,414,034 salary for next season guaranteed as well. He’ll be eligible for a rookie scale extension during the 2026 offseason and would reach potential restricted free agency in 2027 if he doesn’t sign a new contract before that point.
The 21st overall pick in the 2023 draft, Clowney didn’t play much at the NBA level as a rookie, appearing in just 23 games. He earned more regular minutes in 2024/25, but was limited to 46 outings due to various injuries, including sprains affecting both ankles.
In those 46 games, Clowney averaged 9.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 22.7 minutes per contest, shooting just 35.8% from the floor, including 33.3% on three-pointers. Although he’s a 6’10” forward/center, the 21-year-old attempted 261 shots from beyond the arc last season, compared to 111 two-point tries.
[RELATED: Decisions On 2026/27 Rookie Scale Team Options]
The Nets also would have had decisions to make on 2026/27 rookie scale team options for Kobe Bufkin and Dariq Whitehead, but they waived both players, automatically declining those options in the process.
I really hope the Nets can surprise some people and put up at least a record matching last year to shut people like that blowhard Chris Russo up.
They need to tank. They need a top 3 pick in the upcoming draft. They lack a star prospect. Utah, Brooklyn and Chicago or Miami need those top 3 picks
Nah. They’re built to lose. They need to punt on this season. The more losses, the better. Will suck for they’re fans tho.