Nets’ Jalen Wilson making mark at NBA Summer League
LAS VEGAS — Jalen Wilson is just entering his second NBA season, but he’s beginning to look like a veteran with twice as much experience. The Nets wing has always been physical, but his improved jumping ability makes the second-round pick a viable option for Brooklyn. “Exactly. He’s very calm, he never gets excited or […]
Nets exhibit Summer League fight in comeback win over Knicks
LAS VEGAS — Scores don’t mean much in summer league. But the Nets are hopeful that with courage and mental fortitude they can do it. The Nets have demonstrated a penchant for digging deep holes for themselves and then crawling out of them. Jalen Wilson Bill Streicher – USA TODAY Sports The most recent was […]
Nets’ Cam Johnson facing strange reality without Mikal Bridges as teammate
LAS VEGAS — The twins have split up. Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges were so close, first in Phoenix and then in Brooklyn, that they were given the nickname “The Twins.” Johnson played five seasons in the NBA. He played in 283 games, including 38 in the playoffs. He’s never done that without Bridges. Cam […]
Keon Johnson’s ‘maturing as player’ evident to Nets in summer league
LAS VEGAS — To earn his contract, Keon Johnson had to get out of his earn-a-contract mindset. The young winger has developed since his rookie season in Portland, where current Brooklyn assistant Steve Hetzel first coached him. He spent most of last season in the G League and has only improved since playing with the […]
Nets’ Dariq Whitehead finally healthy at NBA Summer League
LAS VEGAS — It was a sweet comeback for the Nets from a big fourth-quarter deficit on Friday. For Darrik Whitehead, it’s been a welcome return after two injury-plagued years. The Nets overcame a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit on Keon Johnson’s Elam-ending game-winning basket to beat Indiana 97-95 in overtime in the opening game of the […]
Nets reveal lofty goals for Nic Claxton after $97 million contract
LAS VEGAS — As the Nets move away from their star player and pivot toward a rebuilding process, discovering and developing homegrown talent will become even more important. That’s why keeping Nic Claxton this summer wasn’t just important, it was essential. The Nets are banking on the 25-year-old Claxton as not only a key starter […]
Trendon Watford went from waivers to Nets ‘stability’
LAS VEGAS — This time last year, Trendon Watford didn’t have a job. Now, the Nets have a team on the wing — even if it’s a struggling team. Watford signed a qualifying offer to secure a return to Brooklyn. Their offseason moves may signal a rebuild, but they also signal opportunity. “Yeah, it’s great. […]
Steve Hetzel will unveil glimpse at Nets’ new-look philosophy
LAS VEGAS — The Nets’ summer league team will have a different roster and coaching staff than Brooklyn’s regular-season squad. But their spirit? Their foundation? It should be more of the same and will provide a window into how the new, rebuilding Nets will play. Or at least try to. That makes sense. Steve Hetzel […]
Jordi Fernandez not at all shocked by Nets’ rebuild
LAS VEGAS — Months before the Nets decided to rebuild, Jordi Fernandez knew there was a chance Brooklyn would trade Mikal Bridges, even as he and general manager Sean Marks were interviewing for the head coaching job. And if that was the path to sustainable success, he was all for it. “Like Sean said, I’m […]
Nets bring back veteran guard Trendon Watford as expected
As expected, the Nets brought back restricted free agent Trendon Watford. After The Post reported on June 29 that Brooklyn had made Watford a qualifying offer, the 23-year-old agreed to it on Tuesday, ensuring his return. Watford, a teammate of Cam Thomas at Louisiana State, signed a one-year, $2.7 million contract this season and is […]