Nets Notes: MPJ, Claxton, Traore, Fernandez, Losing Streak
Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. said a few days ago that he was still dealing with the lingering effects of an MCL sprain in his knee, which he suffered on January 7 against Orlando, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscriber link). Porter, who has been a popular name in trade rumors this season, also acknowledged that opposing defenses are making things more difficult for him.
“Yeah, as the season has gone on, teams are more and more just glued to me and willing to bring a second and third defender on some of the actions, into the vicinity,” Porter said. “But I can do a better job of getting good setups and figuring out how to get easier looks; that’s really on me.
“And I actually was dealing with a MCL, a little sprain against Orlando. I got tangled up with Wendell Carter [Jr.] and my knee has been a little sore, so I feel like I haven’t been as explosive on some of my movements to get myself open. And that’s kind of getting better. So hopefully, as that heals up all the way, I can get back to creating some good separation.”
Porter has been rested twice over the past two-plus weeks on the front end of back-to-backs, Lewis observes, but head coach Jordi Fernandez downplayed the severity of the sprain, noting that the 27-year-old has been otherwise able to play through the knee issue. Like Porter, Fernandez said he’s working on ways to find the team’s leading scorer easier looks.
“Obviously teams game-plan for him,” said Fernandez. “I can help him a little bit more, set him up in different ways that he can free himself up a little bit.
“I’ve just got to keep helping him a little bit more with setups how defenses are guarding him; they’re switching out. He’s going to have to slip earlier screens and finish cuts and get the shot on the second side, instead of chasing all the time … [But] yeah, happy with him. He’s [been] impressive; and we need him, because he creates a lot of attention.”
Here’s more from Brooklyn:
- Starting center Nic Claxton underwent an MRI on his right pinkie finger on Saturday, but evidently the scans didn’t reveal anything serious, as he isn’t listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday’s game at the Clippers, as Dan Martin of The New York Post relays. While Claxton is expected to be active, fellow starter Noah Clowney is doubtful due to back soreness, and Cam Thomas (left ankle sprain) and Nolan Traore (illness) have been ruled out. Rookie Traore, still just 19, had the best game of his young NBA career in Friday’s double-overtime loss to Boston, Martin notes, finishing with career highs of 21 points and 37 minutes. “You can show him that he belongs here,” Claxton said of the French guard. “I remember when I first started getting those clutch-time minutes. It is a good feeling and being able to impact the game. … He did a lot of good things for us: Getting downhill and getting in the paint, spraying it out, making some good plays… Going forward, we’re definitely going to need that level of play from him.”
- The Nets were eviscerated by the Knicks on Wednesday, per Lewis, losing by 54 points while managing just 66 of their own, the lowest total in the league this season. While Fernandez took accountability for the team’s recent stretch of poor play — Brooklyn has lost nine of its past 10 games, including four straight — the players disagreed that the coaching staff was responsible for Wednesday’s drubbing, according to Peter Botte of The New York Post. “I mean, we’ve got to be better on our own, too,” Clowney said. “I’m not getting into the politics of what I think about this or that. As far as coaching goes, for me I felt like the little stuff that we said we wanted to do, we didn’t do.”
- There was speculation that the Nets might’ve been playing themselves out of a top pick in the 2026 draft after they went 6-4 in December, but they’ve been sliding down the standings ever since and things won’t get any easier during their five-game road trip, Martin writes. In addition to the surging Clippers, Brooklyn plays at Phoenix, Denver, Utah and Detroit, with four of those teams at least in play-in territory.
Nets Notes: Thomas, Porter, Fernandez, Traore
The Nets are pleased with Cam Thomas‘ performance off the bench since he returned from a hamstring injury roughly three weeks ago, but his role isn’t likely to expand, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Thomas was mainly a facilitator in Sunday’s loss to Chicago, contributing three points and 10 assists in 24 minutes.
“Yeah, right now we’re happy where he is, with the minutes he’s playing with the production, being that willing play-maker; because we know how good he is scoring the basketball, and taking those steps defensively,” coach Jordi Fernandez told reporters before the game. “Right now we’re happy where he is. We need him to stay in those minutes a little longer because I, we, just believe what’s most important right now is his body, and (how) his body reacts. And we’re gonna be cautious with that.”
Thomas was hoping for a strong season heading into free agency this summer, but he has continued to be hampered by the same hamstring issues that limited him to 25 games last season. He’s averaging 12 PPG since returning while shooting 40.8% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc, and Lewis notes that Brooklyn is just 4-16 in the games he’s played.
“He’s been sticking with it. He’s had a little bit of a stretch. But like you said just him staying engaged, staying sticking through it with us,” Nic Claxton said. “And if it’s his process as well, you know he’ll start knocking down those shots.”
There’s more on the Nets:
- The team remains winless without Michael Porter Jr., who was held out of Sunday’s game for rest, Lewis states in a separate story. The Nets are 0-8 without their leading scorer and have been outscored in those games by an average of 16.1 points. “Everything has to be done with purpose,” Fernandez said. “You cannot just run around crazy and that’s it. So, that’s very important. No matter who we have out there … I believe we can go out, compete and win. And (Sunday) we didn’t compete to the best of our ability. So, I’m the first one to blame. Watch film (Monday), try to compete better.”
- After watching his team give up 70 points in the first half, Fernandez tried to send a message by pulling four starters for the beginning of the third quarter, replacing Danny Wolf, Terance Mann, Egor Demin and Noah Clowney with Thomas, Nolan Traore, Jalen Wilson and Tyrese Martin, Lewis adds. The changes didn’t spark a rally as Chicago maintained a comfortable lead the rest of the way. “Yeah, it can be rough, but it’s a part of the game. You’ve got to be able to adjust. That’s what we’re dealing with this year. You’ve got to be ready for whatever lineups and our energy needs to be consistent,” Claxton said.
- Traore finished with a career-high 16 points on Sunday after posting a career-best seven assists in Friday’s meeting between the two teams. The rookie point guard has been earning the trust of the coaching staff and his teammates throughout the season, notes C.J. Holmes of The New York Daily News (subscription required). “His superpower is obviously his speed, his foot speed,” Porter said. “And he’s been utilizing that, getting downhill, getting in the lane, finding guys, and he’s a great passer. So, he’s going to be really good … and I’m looking forward to seeing how he develops, him and Egor at that point guard position.”
Atlantic Notes: Shead, Nets Streak, Traore, Shamet
The Raptors‘ Jamal Shead has emerged as one of the top backup point guards in the league and he could be deserving of even more playing time, Michael Grange of Sportsnet writes. Shead finished with 15 points and a career-best 13 assists in a loss to the Clippers on Friday.
“He’s amazing, he wants everyone to succeed,” fellow guard Gradey Dick said. “And he has our backs. He has my back and I have his. And I feel like when you have a point guard like that, it’s super motivational … and I feel like what people don’t talk about enough is just the selflessness. He wants everyone to win. I had just missed a shot right there and he’s one of the first guys to come up and say, ‘Stay right there. The way they’re playing their defense, you’re going to be open for another one,’ and that was one of the next plays.”
Shead is also a bargain. The club holds a $2,296,271 option on his contract for next season, which will undoubtedly be exercised.
Here’s more on the Atlantic Division:
- The Nets snapped a five-game losing streak on Friday but it didn’t come easy. They blew a 20-point, fourth-quarter lead before a late Michael Porter Jr. basket put away the Bulls. “The lesson is that there’s no safe lead in the NBA. Teams will always punch back,” coach Jordi Fernandez said, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “Give them credit. But at the end of the day, responding is important because when things go against you and then the other team takes the lead, it may seem like a big mountain in front of you. And the guys kept composure, scored when we needed to. Mike with a big bucket and then the stop.”
- Fernandez made an interesting personnel decision on Friday, riding Nolan Traore instead of lottery pick Egor Demin at the point during crunch time, Lewis notes. Traore finished with seven assists. “I’m very happy with both. I’m very happy with how they play, how selfless they play, their intentions,” Fernandez said. “That’s how you learn and get better. I know (Demin’s) not happy if I take him out of the game. That’s what I hope. And then from there, I know he can bring that level of physicality to guard, to switch, to guard bigger guys, to get into the paint. And then everything else that his superpowers are shooting the ball and finding the 3-point line. I know that that’s there.”
- Landry Shamet returned from a 25-game absence and scored six points in 16 minutes for the Knicks in their loss to the Warriors on Thursday night. Shamet, who is on a one-year, minimum salary contract, was sidelined with a shoulder injury. “He worked his tail off. Landry, he’s a worker, man,” Knicks coach Mike Brown told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “He was getting after it. It means a lot for him to play. He was in a great rhythm before he (got hurt). He’s been out a while. It’s going to take some time for him to get back. But it’s exciting for him to be back and we’re going to be patient with him while he’s fighting to get back to where he was.”
Nets Notes: Thomas, Porter Jr., Claxton, Sharpe, Traore
When Cam Thomas signed his qualifying offer with the Nets in early September, it guaranteed that he would become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Rockets star Kevin Durant believes whichever team signs him this offseason will get a superior talent, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets.
“I feel like Cam has a bright future. It just takes somebody to believe in his talent and his skill,” Durant said. “Scorers and guys that score the basketball at a high rate, they get taken for granted in this league a bit. We’re so used to loving defenders, play-makers, and guys that can be connectors. Sometimes scorers get taken for granted.
“Hopefully, somebody takes a chance on Cam and gives him what he deserves and puts the ball in his hands and builds around him and lets him grow into a player. What is he, 24? He’s still got a lot of time in this league to keep getting better. Hopefully a team puts some trust in him.”
Thomas, who was rested against the Wizards on Friday, is averaging 21.4 points per game in 11 appearances this season.
Here’s more on the Nets:
- Brooklyn fell to 0-6 this season when Michael Porter Jr. doesn’t play. The Nets’ leading scorer sat out the second game of a back-to-back due to an illness as Washington blew them out by 20 points. They shot just 39.5% overall and 6-of-29 from three-point range while dropping their third straight. Dan Devine of Yahoo Sports takes a closer look at whether the Nets should deal Porter for assets prior to the trade deadline.
- Nic Claxton also didn’t suit up on Friday due to personal reasons and that led to expanded minutes for Day’Ron Sharpe. The latter was one of the few bright spots on Friday as he contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks in his first start this season. “One thing we know is Day’Ron is going to play extremely hard,” coach Jordi Fernandez said, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “And going from the minutes he’s played to pretty much 30 minutes, your body has to adjust to that. So it’s a great opportunity for him… but also being careful with that.” The Nets hold a $6.25MM club option on Sharpe’s contract for next season.
- Fernandez wasn’t happy with rookie Nolan Traore‘s shot selection on Thursday against the Rockets. Traore took five three-pointers and made one. He finished 1-for-8 from the field. “I need him to use his superpowers and touch the paint. And it felt like he got caught shooting the unders. And a lot of times it didn’t go … because that’s what they want you to do,” Fernández said. “And if you keep shooting and missing, then sometimes, if you keep doing the same thing and seeing the same results, that’s the definition of insanity. And I know how good he is.” Traore didn’t attempt a three on Friday while scoring 12 points in 26 minutes.
Nets Notes: Thomas, Winning Streak, Bench, Demin
Nets guard Cam Thomas admitted a couple days ago that there would likely be an adjustment period when he returned to action on Saturday, per Brian Lewis of The New York Post. After a terrible 0-7 start to the season with Thomas in the lineup, Brooklyn had been playing better in the 24-year-old’s absence, going 9-12 over the past several weeks, including the November 5 win over Indiana in which Thomas was limited to just six minutes after straining his left hamstring.
“Every team adjusts when a certain player goes out,” said Thomas. “We’ll figure it out. Just go out there and play ball. It’s not rocket science. We just go out there, figure out who’s out there together and figure out how to play amongst each other.
“It’s been a while. … Obviously, it’s going to be a learning curve for a few games, but we’ll figure it out quick. We’re pros, we’ll figure it out. So, just going to make it back on the court and play, figure it out and just try to keep stacking wins.”
However, Thomas showed zero signs of rust — or trouble fitting in — as he lit up the Timberwolves for 30 points in 20 minutes off the bench in Saturday’s win at Minnesota, Lewis writes in another story. The impending free agent shot 9-of-15 from the floor and was 9-for-9 at three throw line while chipping in four assists (against zero turnovers) and three rebounds.
Thomas, who was a game-high plus-27, said he was happy to be playing again and to help the team get a win, Lewis notes. Head coach Jordi Fernandez praised Thomas’ performance.
“[I liked] his mindset. He let the game come to him. He assisted, zero turnovers being a simple play every time. And I’m pretty sure the potential assists were high because he made the right play over and over and over,” Fernandez said. “Sometimes you cannot control if those are going to be assists, but you just play the right way. And going to the free throw line, and as efficient as it was, it was just really impressive.
“We have to be careful with the amount of minutes we play him. And knowing that he had a short amount of minutes and using them efficiently, efficiently for the team. He just played, once again, the right play every time: whether it was to score against the line or pass waters. So, very clean game, very connected to his teammates, talking to them, telling them what to do. That’s it.”
We have more from Brooklyn:
- The Nets have now won a season-high three straight games and seven of their past 10 after picking up a road victory against a Minnesota team that had gone 10-3 in its last 13 contests, according to Lewis. The Nets surprisingly have the league’s top-ranked defense in December, Lewis notes. “When you’ve got Mike [Michael Porter Jr.] playing the level he’s playing out right now, throwing a Cam Thomas in the fold, and you have us defending the way that we are, we’re extremely [tough],” Nic Claxton said. “We’re going to be an extremely tough team to beat every night. We’re gonna compete, because those are two extremely gifted scores. And we’ve got shooters around. We’ve got me, Day’Ron [Sharpe] at the rim. So we’ve got a lot of different options, a lot to build off of.”
- While Thomas was the top performer, Brooklyn’s bench also received solid contributions from first-round picks Nolan Traore, Drake Powell and Danny Wolf as well as fifth-year center Sharpe in outscoring Minnesota’s second unit 62-33, as C.J. Holmes of The New York Daily News relays.
- Fernandez has been pleased with the lottery pick Egor Demin‘s progress so far this season, but he’s constantly pushing the 19-year-old to keep improving, per Holmes. “I think he’s more comfortable,” Fernandez said. “I think he always played like he belongs, and that’s been great. I remember since that preseason game in Toronto. He played and showed right away why we were so high on him and how he handled himself. It’s not just about the shot making but also seeing the floor and his ability to get deflections and rebounds and all those things. We’ve seen how much better he’s gotten from Day 1… We still want to see more and better. And that goes not just for him, but everybody else on the roster.”
Nets Notes: Porter, Trade Possibilities, Demin, Traore
Michael Porter Jr. might be too good to keep on the roster if the Nets intend to tank, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Porter, who has been an offensive force since he was acquired in an offseason trade with Denver, poured in 28 points in Tuesday’s win at Philadelphia.
It was the latest in a string of impressive performances by Porter, but it’s not what Brooklyn needs if it intends to maximize the value of its first-round pick as owner Joe Tsai suggested early in the season. Sources told Lewis that philosophy hasn’t changed, so Porter may have to be dealt or shut down at some point.
Porter has a long medical history that includes herniated discs, three back surgeries, a damaged peroneal nerve and “foot drop,” which requires him to wear a brace while playing. He’s under contract for one more season at $40.8MM, and Lewis suggests he might have more value to a contender than he would as a long-term piece for the Nets to build around.
Lewis cites the Pistons and Bucks as potential trade partners. Detroit can offer a first-round pick, Tobias Harris‘ $26.6MM expiring contract and another piece such as Caris LeVert, Ron Holland or Jaden Ivey, while Milwaukee could trade its first-rounder in 2031 or 2032, along with Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis.
A source tells Lewis that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is determined to turn around the season after a slow start and is “not interested in rebuilding in any form or fashion.” Lewis proposes a deal sending Porter and Cam Thomas to L.A. in exchange for an unprotected 2032 first-rounder, John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
There’s more from Brooklyn:
- Rookie guard Egor Demin continues to respond well to challenges from coach Jordi Fernandez, Lewis states in a separate story. Demin turned in one of his best games with 20 points, five assists and two rebounds in Tuesday’s win, and he ranks second among rookies by hitting at least four three-pointers in six games, answering pre-draft concerns about his outside shot. “Egor is a kid that cares so much about doing the right thing the whole time. Obviously it stands out, his size for his position and ability to shoot the ball and share the ball,” Fernandez said. “He does a great job finding the three-point line for his teammates and shooting the three himself, but he’s done a much better job being aggressive getting into the paint. When he’s finished aggressive at the rim, he’s done a great job.”
- In another piece, Lewis examines how the Nets were able to turn around a defense that was headed toward being the worst in NBA history.
- Nolan Traore may get more NBA opportunities after scoring eight points in Sunday’s win over Toronto, per Howie Kussoy of The New York Post. The Nets have brought the 19-year-old French point guard along slowly, playing him mostly in the G League so far. “He did a great job overall. (It) looked like all the minutes he’s played (on) Long Island right now are paying off,” Fernandez said. “And now he came here with a lot of confidence, and this is what it’s all about. Minutes are the best coach to develop you. And he took advantage of those minutes (on) Long Island, and now he’s taking advantage of his minutes here, and he was a big part of us winning this game.”
Nets Notes: Porter Jr., Trade Talk, Traore, 20-Game Outlook
Michael Porter Jr. was traded by a former champion to a rebuilding club. The former Nuggets forward doesn’t mind playing for the Nets. In fact, Porter would prefer to stick around Brooklyn rather than be on the move again, he told Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
“Yeah, I love it here,” Porter said. “I love the staff, I love the energy of practice. Everyone gets along and has great vibes and great energy around the facility. So whatever team wants and appreciates what I bring to the table, then that’s where I want to be. And I feel like they do here.
“I don’t know their long-term plans; that’s above my pay grade,” he added. “But any good, successful team, you need a mix of young, developing guys with unlimited energy, and you need some older guys that have been there and done that and can hand it down and teach the young guys. So any team that thinks they’re going to win at a high level with only young players, it doesn’t really happen. But like I said, if they want me here, I’d love to be here.”
Porter Jr. has one season remaining on his contract after this one — he’s owed a guaranteed $40.8MM salary for 2026/27. He’s averaging a career-high 25.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
Here’s more on the Nets:
- As the NBA’s trade season approaches, head coach Jordi Fernandez hopes his players can block out the noise and worry about winning games and improving their skills. “It’s that part of the year and we all have to deal with it. It’s not the most enjoyable part of the year, but we love our guys,” Fernandez told Dan Martin of the New York Post. “We’re gonna keep focusing on working and getting better and competing. We cannot control anything on the outside, even though we know things may happen. … We’re not the ones thinking or talking [about trades]. We want work, we want accountability [and] we want competitiveness. That’s what we focus on.”
- The Nets recalled this year’s No. 19 pick from their G League affiliate in Long Island on Thursday and Nolan Traore could jump right into the rotation. Traore posted averages of 18.8 points and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 43.1% from three-point range in 13 G League outings. “His superpower is speed,” Fernandez said of Traore, per C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News. “He’s been shooting the ball very well and confidently, which I loved. He’s been trying to be more vocal, that’s what you want your point guards to be… And then the assist-to-turnover [ratio]. I think he struggled a little bit with the turnovers at times and how he reacted to those turnovers, which turnovers will happen, and I don’t care as long as you move on to the next play, and he’s had impressive numbers, assist-to-turnover ratio over his past three, four games, so, very happy with where he’s at.”
- The Nets have won three of their last four games heading into their road matchup against Dallas on Friday. “We’re 23 games in and we’re looking at the next 20 games,’’ Fernández said, per Martin. “Can we sustain [it]? Can we get better? Then we look at the next 20. The process is the most important thing for us and the development of the group, not just one player.”
Nets Notes: Clowney, Williams, Traore, Martin
Nets forward Noah Clowney continues to show signs that his third season in the NBA could be a breakout year. In his 11th consecutive game as a starter on Monday, Clowney scored a career-high 31 points against New York, knocking down 7-of-13 three-pointers. Although Brooklyn lost the game by 13 points, the team was a +1 in Clowney’s 39 minutes on the floor.
Much of the focus in Brooklyn this season has been on the team’s five first-round picks, but Brian Lewis of The New York Post suggests no young player on the roster has developed more this fall than Clowney. According to Lewis, Clowney is playing with more confidence and attacking close-outs with more intent.
“Trying to be aggressive helps my teammates. Yeah, it’s really it,” Clowney said.
Clowney is still just 21 years old, making him younger than many members of the 2025 draft class, including rookie teammate Danny Wolf. He has averaged 16.5 points per game and shot 36.8% on three-pointers since entering the Nets’ starting five and will be eligible for a rookie scale extension during the 2026 offseason.
Here’s more on Brooklyn:
- Ziaire Williams, who re-signed with the Nets on a short-term deal over the summer, played a major role off the bench during the first month of the season, averaging 23.1 minutes per contest in 14 appearances. However, he was a DNP-CD on Monday, according to Lewis, who notes that head coach Jordi Fernandez provided an explanation after the game. “It was just my decision. I wanted to challenge him with his defense,” Fernandez said. “Last year, he was elite in a lot of the things that we care defensively, from ball pressure to deflections to pick-and-roll defense to defending isolations, and he was huge and I haven’t felt that energy. And then, I can go through the numbers, and they were not there. So I challenge him to do that.”
- Rookie guard Nolan Traore hasn’t seen much action at the NBA level yet, but he’s starting to turn in some promising performances in the G League, Lewis notes. In back-to-back games against the Greensboro Swarm, Traore racked up 43 points and 18 assists while making 50.0% of his three-pointers (9-of-18) and turning the ball over just four times. The Long Island Nets outscored Greensboro by 25 points during his 68 minutes across those two games. “We want to play a competitive and winning game of basketball. It starts with the habits,” Fernandez said. “I know he saw the ball go in, which are things you can’t always control, but you can control taking the right shots, make the right play. He had a very good assist-to-turnover ratio. So all those things are positive.”
- One of two Nets players on a non-guaranteed contract, Tyrese Martin is making a strong case to stick around for the rest of the season, writes C.J. Holmes of The New York Daily News (subscription required). Martin has been asked to take more on-ball responsibilities this fall and after struggling early in the season, he’s averaging 13.6 PPG and 3.6 APG on .500/.440/.786 shooting over the past five games. Fernandez referred to the third-year guard as a “star in his role” and said he’s someone who leads by example. “I think he’s just a mature, steady person,” the Nets’ coach said. “You see it in the day-to-day and it reflects on the court. All his teammates trust him. We trust him. And he’s been part of our success as far as competing every time we give ourselves a chance to compete.”
Nets Notes: Sharpe, Powell, Rookies, Clowney
Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe experienced left hamstring tightness in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Knicks, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Sharpe exited the game at the conclusion of the third quarter and didn’t return, finishing with 10 points and six rebounds in 12 minutes.
“No, there’s not been any testing. It’s just tightness. So we’ll do our evaluation and whatever we have to do,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “So, we’ll see. But he played extremely hard.”
Sharpe, who re-signed with Brooklyn on a two-year, $12.5MM deal over the offseason, could hit free agency again next summer if the Nets decline the $6.25MM team option on his contract for 2026/27. The 24-year-old is questionable for Tuesday’s game against Toronto, Lewis tweets, so the injury appears to be relatively minor.
We have more from Brooklyn:
- Rookie Drake Powell had the best game of his young career on Sunday, notching 15 points (on 5-of-8 shooting), three assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block in 23 minutes, Lewis adds. The former North Carolina shooting guard has missed some time this fall due to a right ankle sprain, but he looks to be fully healthy now.
- While Powell and Egor Demin appeared in Sunday’s game, fellow first-round picks Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf were playing in the G League with the Nets’ affiliate in Long Island, according to Lewis. “We’re very well connected with how we want to do things. I want to challenge these guys and develop these guys. There’s not just one avenue. There’s different ways that we can do it,” Fernandez said. “The most important thing is that they take advantage of those minutes, and from there, we’ll decide [where] all of them [play].”
- At 1-9, the Nets are currently tied for the worst record in the league, and they have largely been playing their veterans, not their rookies. Since they’re tanking anyway, C.J. Holmes of The New York Daily News argues all five of Brooklyn’s first-rounders should be learning on the fly in the NBA, not playing in Long Island.
- Lewis takes a look at how third-year forward Noah Clowney can continue to improve his game. The 2023 first-round pick has had some solid outings lately, but Fernandez wants to see improvement on the defensive end. “Yeah, I mean Noah always takes positive steps,” Fernandez said. “I need him to be better defensively. And he knows it. His voice needs to grow, and embracing the contact. [Teams are] playing with the two bigs, and whether you’re the low man, whether your communication is on or off the ball, all those things. Because he’s really smart. He’s about the right things. He knows it. And like everybody else, needs to grow into that fast. And I know he will. So, I like his aggressiveness, how he shoots the ball. And you’ve gotta keep taking positive steps.”
Nets Notes: Porter, Clowney, Powell, Wolf, Rotation
Projected to be the NBA’s very worst team a year ago, the Nets defied expectations in the season’s opening weeks, winning nine of their first 19 games. If they hope to repeat that feat this fall, Wednesday’s season opener in Charlotte didn’t represent a step in the right direction.
As Brian Lewis of The New York Post writes, Brooklyn looked very much like a tanking team in a blowout 136-117 loss to a Hornets club that won just 19 games last season.
“We weren’t good on defense at all, especially in transition,” forward Michael Porter Jr. said after the game. “Offensively we got some good looks, but we’ve got to be more organized and together as a team. We definitely need to have a sense of urgency and figure out our identity. We’ve got to figure that out as a team. It’s the first game; can’t overreact. But at the same time we saw some glaring problems, individually and collectively.”
As Porter observes, the Nets struggled badly on the defensive end in Wednesday’s loss, allowing the Hornets to make 53.3% of their shots from the field, including 47.2% of their three-pointers. Charlotte also outscored Brooklyn 23-5 in fast-break points.
“We just got to execute better from top to bottom — all five guys on the court, the bench. Our energy. We just all have to be better, for real,” starting center Nic Claxton said. “It starts on a defensive end … our energy just has to be better. And when we face adversity, we all have to be better. Everybody.”
Here’s more on the Nets:
- It was a forgettable Nets regular season debut for Porter, who struggled on both ends of the court and was a team-worst -19 in 25 minutes, Lewis writes in a separate New York Post story. While Porter has never been a lockdown defender, he’s usually a reliable source of offense. However, his shot wasn’t falling against Charlotte, as he knocked down just 5-of-15 attempts from the floor. “I just didn’t feel like I was as fresh as I needed to be,” he said. “I feel like a lot of the guys were probably a little bit more sluggish, a second too slow.”
- Nets forward/center Noah Clowney was happy that the team decided to exercise its fourth-year option on his rookie scale contract this week, guaranteeing his $5.41MM salary for 2026/27. “It feels good to know that they believe in me to do that,” Clowney told Lewis. “So for them to do that means they believe in me being some form of long-term piece. So, it feels good to know that.”
- A pair of the Nets’ first-round picks are sideliend with early-season injuries, per Lewis. Drake Powell sustained a right ankle sprain in Wednesday’s loss in Charlotte, while Danny Wolf sprained his left ankle at the team’s shootaround earlier in the day. Both rookies have been ruled out for at least the club’s Friday home opener vs. Cleveland.
- In the wake of Jordi Fernandez‘s comments about his plan to use a 10-man rotation, Lewis (subscription required) explores what the Nets’ rotation might look like, suggesting that rookies Nolan Traore and Powell could probably benefit from some time in the G League during the first half of the season.