Shake Milton is counting his blessings this season.
The veteran guard logged just 27 minutes on the court between the time the Knicks signed him in March and the end of the season before the Nets acquired him in the Mikal Bridges trade.
He played just six games and averaged just 4.5 per game.
Milton played for three teams (Timberwolves, Pistons, Knicks) in 2023-24, and his highest minutes averaged came with Detroit, at 15.8 minutes in just four games.
“I think last year was a lot tougher overall, just getting traded and seeing what NBA business is like,” Milton said after the Nets' practice Thursday. “Thankfully I didn't have to go too far. You can see it for what it is, you can see it clearly, and you know how to handle yourself a little bit more. It's a little bit on the shoulder. It’s like a chip, so that’s a good thing.”
But in recent games, Milton has returned to feeling like he did with the Nets due to Cam Thomas' hamstring injury.
The 54th overall pick in the 2018 draft has averaged 10.6 points over his past nine contests, shooting 50 percent from the field in about 25 minutes per game.
He's also shooting nearly 45 percent from beyond the arc.
SMU's production averaged 16 minutes a season, his highest since averaging 20.6 minutes last season (2022-23) with the 76ers.
His highest average minutes (23.2 minutes) came in 2020-21 with Philadelphia.
“It's kind of a blessing to be able to get the minutes,” Milton said. “Especially in this league, it's hard to get in, it's hard to get established, it's hard to make a name for yourself. So it's definitely fun to be out there. I love this game more than anything. It's always fun to be able to do what I love.”
Earlier this season, Milton was not in the Nets' rotation.
He averaged just 9.2 minutes in the first 10 games, drawing twice with DNP.
However, injuries to other players created opportunities, and Milton played more minutes than originally expected.
During those nine games, he scored a season-high 21 points against the Pacers on December 4th and a season-high 22 points in 34 minutes off the bench against the Magic on December 1st.
“Super professional. Great teammate. He just tried to do everything we asked him to do,” said head coach Jordi Fernandez. “Obviously, we want him to continue to get better. Stay ready. Shoot the ball. Shoot faster. His defensive ball pressure continues to improve. He It was wonderful.
“We've used him in a variety of ways as a second ball handler, as a primary ball handler, but he's been able to go out there and compete and help us win big games. …Whether he's on the road or at home. It doesn't matter. You just have to be ready and work every day and be a good teammate. And he's done it all. He works hard and is great, great, great. He’s a teammate.”
Milton played three years with the Sixers under coach Doc Rivers from 2020-23 and has since been on teams coached by Chris Finch, Monty Williams, Tom Thibodeau and eventually Fernandez. Fernandez has created a different environment for the Nets. Part of.
He credited his production to Fernandes' “aggressive” and “free” style, which allowed Milton to enjoy and play better when given opportunities off the bench.
“These are all things I want to play and do once I get into the league. It's great to be able to do that here,” he said. “It's fun because it brings out the best in you. It brings out the best in everyone. And when you have something like that, it's competitive and everyone cheers each other on, it's a good environment.”
