Category: Brooklyn Nets Blog

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In G League, Long Island Nets name Bret Brielmaier as head coach

The Long Island Nets, the NBA G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, have named Bret Brielmaier as the team’s head coach. Brielmaier becomes the fourth head coach in Long Island history after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets.

“Bret has been an integral part of the Nets family for the past four seasons, and we are thrilled that he’ll be coaching the Long Island Nets,” said Long Island Nets General Manager Matt Riccardi. “His experience and vision are a perfect fit for leading the development of emerging players on Long Island, and we are eager to see the growth he inspires in our next generation of Nets talent.”

Prior to joining the Nets organization in 2016, Brielmaier spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers and was a member of the coaching staff when Cleveland won its 2016 NBA championship. The Mankato, Minn., native also spent four seasons (2009-13) with the San Antonio Spurs, beginning his career as a player development assistant before becoming the team’s video coordinator for his final three seasons.

Brielmaier played four collegiate seasons (2004-08) at the University of Arizona under the direction of Hall of Fame head coach Lute Olson. He was a member of four NCAA Tournament teams before earning his first coaching job as an undergraduate assistant coach under Arizona interim head coach Russ Pennell during the 2008-09 season.

Nets sign Jordan Bowden and Nate Sestina

The Brooklyn Nets announced their training camp roster of 20 players today with the signings of guard Jordan Bowden and forward Nate Sestina.

Bowden (6’5”, 193) joins the Nets after a four-year collegiate career (2016-20) at the University of Tennessee. In 132 games (99 starts) for the Volunteers, Bowden recorded averages of 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 28.3 minutes per contest. As a senior last season, Bowden averaged 13.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 34.4 minutes per game, which all marked career highs. The Tennessee native finished his career tied for fifth in school history in games played and ranked seventh in 3-pointers made (186). He also became one of just four Vols all-time to total 1,000 points, 450 rebounds and 250 assists.

Sestina (6’9”, 234) joins Brooklyn from the University of Kentucky, where he spent the 2019-20 season as a graduate student-athlete. In 28 games (seven starts) for the Wildcats last season, Sestina recorded averages of 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per contest. He previously played four collegiate seasons (2015-19) at Bucknell, recording averages of 8.8 points and 5.2 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per contest while shooting .537 from the field in 100 games (31 starts). As a senior in the 2018-19 season, the Emporium, Pa., native averaged career highs across the board with 15.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 blocks in 27.7 minutes per game en route to Second Team All-Patriot League honors.

Nets re-sign guard Chris Chiozza

The Brooklyn Nets re-signed guard Chris Chiozza today.

Chiozza (5’11”, 176) returns to the Nets after originally signing a two-way contract with the team on Jan. 4. He appeared in 28 games last season split between Brooklyn and Washington, recording averages of 5.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 14.3 minutes per game. In 18 games with the Nets, Chiozza posted averages of 6.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 15.5 minutes per contest. The Memphis, Tenn., native has seen action in 35 games across two NBA seasons with Brooklyn (2020), Washington (2019) and Houston (2019), averaging 4.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 12.4 minutes per game. Chiozza also appeared in and started 10 games last season with Brooklyn’s NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, registering averages of 13.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.8 steals in 31.8 minutes per game.

The 25-year-old went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft after spending four years (2014-18) at the University of Florida. Following his senior season, the Gators’ all-time assists leader (571) was named to the All-SEC First Team.

Nets re-sign guard Tyler Johnson

The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed free agent guard Tyler Johnson.

Johnson (6’4”, 190) most recently signed with Brooklyn on June 24, appearing in eight seeding games (four starts) for the Nets in the NBA’s restart in Orlando and recording averages of 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 24.2 minutes per contest. In the 2020 NBA Playoffs, the six-year NBA veteran appeared in four games (two starts) for Brooklyn, averaging 13.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 23.2 minutes per contest.

Prior to signing with the Nets last summer, Johnson appeared in 31 games (three starts) during the 2019-20 season with the Phoenix Suns, recording averages of 5.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 16.6 minutes per game.

The Grand Forks, N.D., native went undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft, beginning his first professional season with the NBA G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce. Johnson played in 15 games with the Skyforce before signing two 10-day contracts and a multi-year deal with Miami in early 2015.

Prior to beginning his professional career, Johnson spent four years (2010-14) at Fresno State, earning All-Mountain West Conference Second Team honors as a senior.

Nets sign Jeff Green

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent forward Jeff Green.

Per multiple reports, Green’s contract is for one year, $2.56 million.

Green (6’8”, 235) has appeared in 908 career games (546 starts) across 12 NBA seasons with Houston (2020), Utah (2019), Washington (2018-19), Cleveland (2017-18), Orlando (2016-17), Los Angeles Clippers (2016), Memphis (2015-16), Boston (2011-15) and Oklahoma City/Seattle (2007-11), registering averages of 13.0 points on 44.2 percent shooting from the field, 33.4 percent from 3-point range and 80.5 percent from the free-throw line, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 29.5 minutes per game.

He split the 2019-20 season between the Jazz and Rockets, appearing in 48 games and averaging 9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 20.0 minutes per game. Most recently, Green finished the 2019-20 campaign with Houston, recording averages of 12.2 points on 56.4 percent shooting from the field, 35.4 percent from 3-point range and 85.7 percent from the free-throw line, 2.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 22.6 minutes per contest in 18 games. The Maryland native has made seven playoff appearances in his career, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2018 with the Cavaliers, and has averaged 10.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 27.4 minutes per game in 72 playoff contests.

Per the New York Post, “finding a seasoned power forward backup for Durant and replacement for Wilson Chandler has been on general manager Sean Marks’ to-do list. He got a solid one on a team-friendly contract, using the lure of a star-laden contender to get the 34-year-old to take less for a chance at a championship.”

Green was originally selected with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft by Boston before being traded on draft night to Seattle. In his rookie season with the SuperSonics, Green earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors after posting averages of 10.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 28.2 minutes per game in 80 games. The 34-year-old spent three years (2004-07) at Georgetown, garnering All-Big East honors twice and securing the Big East Player of the Year award in his third and final collegiate season.

Nets and Jeff Green reportedly agree to a contract

The Nets roster for the 2020-21 NBA season is packed with talent, and veteran forward Jeff Green will reportedly be joining the mix. Via the New York Daily News:

The Nets continue to build a roster in Kevin Durant’s vision, agreeing to terms with veteran forward Jeff Green. Durant and Green have a relationship dating back to their days as teammates on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Nets’ acquisition of Green addresses a key need for a floor-spacing, versatile two-way player at the four. He has played this role on a number of potential contenders, including last season’s Houston Rockets and the 2017-18 Cleveland Cavaliers…

In 18 games with the Rockets last season, Green averaged 12 points and shot 56% from the field and 35% from three.

Nets and Joe Harris reportedly agree to deal

The Nets have a heck of a roster heading into 2020-21. On paper, they should be one of the best teams in the Eastern conference. Today, as free agency began, they reportedly retained the services of a player with a very important jumpshot. Here’s the New York Post:

Nets general manager Sean Marks had called re-signing Joe Harris offseason priority No. 1. Mission accomplished.

Harris agreed to a four-year, $75 million contract to stay in Brooklyn on Friday, the very first night of free agency. The deal was first reported by ESPN, confirmed by The Post and celebrated by Nets owner Joe Tsai in a humorous tweet that included former presidential candidate — and Nets fan — Andrew Yang…

An unrestricted free agent, Harris had steadfastly expressed a desire to stay in Brooklyn, where he had developed from a waiver-wire pickup to an NBA 3-point shooting champion. The idea of contending for a championship this season with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving returning from injury made him want to come back even more.

Three-team NBA trade sends Landry Shamet and Bruce Brown to Nets, Luke Kennard to Clippers, Saddiq Bey to Pistons

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired guard Landry Shamet and the draft rights to forward Reggie Perry, the 57th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft, from the Los Angeles Clippers and guard Bruce Brown from the Detroit Pistons in a three-team trade.

The Nets traded the draft rights to Saddiq Bey, the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft, guard Dzanan Musa, the draft rights to guard Jaylen Hands and Toronto’s 2021 second round draft pick to Detroit, and the draft rights to guard/forward Jay Scrubb, the 55th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft, to the Clippers.

To complete the deal, the Pistons traded forward Luke Kennard, center Justin Patton, Portland’s 2023 second round draft pick and Detroit’s second round draft picks in 2024, 2025 and 2026 to the Clippers. And the Clippers dealt guard Rodney McGruder and cash considerations to the Pistons.

Shamet (6’4”, 190) has appeared in 132 games (57 starts) across two seasons with Philadelphia (2018-19) and the Clippers (2019-20), recording averages of 9.2 points on 42.0 percent shooting from the field and 40.2 percent from 3-point range, 1.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24.7 minutes per game. In the 2019-20 season, the Kansas City, Mo., native saw action in 53 games (30 starts), averaging 9.3 points on 40.4 percent shooting from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range, 1.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 27.4 minutes per contest. As a rookie, Shamet split the season between the Sixers and Clippers, registering averages of 9.1 points on 43.1 percent shooting from the field and 42.2 percent from distance, 1.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22.8 minutes per game in 79 games (27 starts) en route to NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors. Shamet was originally selected with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft by Philadelphia after spending three years (2015-18) at Wichita State, where he earned All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team honors in 2017, All-American Athletic Conference First Team honors in 2018 and honorable mention All-America honors from the Associated Press in 2018.

Brown (6’4”, 202) has seen action in 132 games (99 starts) in the past two seasons with the Pistons, registering averages of 6.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 23.4 minutes per game. As a rookie in the 2018-19 season, Brown registered averages of 4.3 points on 39.8 percent shooting from the field and 25.8 percent from 3-point range, 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 19.6 minutes per game across 74 games (56 starts). In the 2019-20 campaign, Brown appeared in 58 games (43 starts) and improved his statistics across the board, averaging 8.9 points on 44.3 percent shooting from the field and 34.4 percent from 3-point range, 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 28.2 minutes per contest. The 24-year-old Boston native was originally selected with the 42nd overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft by Detroit after spending two years (2016-18) at the University of Miami.

Perry (6’10”, 250) played two collegiate seasons (2018-20) at Mississippi State, recording averages of 13.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 27.3 minutes per contest in 65 games (49 starts). As a sophomore last season, Perry appeared in 31 games (all starts) and averaged 17.4 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 31.1 minutes per game en route to earning consensus All-SEC First Team honors from coaches and media and being named the SEC’s Co-Player of the Year by the Associated Press. The Thomasville, Ga., native also earned All-SEC Freshman Team honors for his play during the 2018-19 season, when he averaged 9.7 points and 7.2 rebounds in 23.9 minutes per game in 34 contests (18 starts). In addition to his time with the Bulldogs, Perry competed on USA Basketball’s team in the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, where he won a gold medal, was named Most Valuable Player and was selected to the All-Tournament Team.

Musa appeared in 49 games in two seasons with the Nets, posting averages of 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10.7 minutes per game. In 40 games during the 2019-20 campaign, Musa recorded averages of 4.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 12.2 minutes per contest. A native of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Musa was originally selected with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft by Brooklyn.

Bey, 6-8, 215, was taken with the 19th selection of the 2020 NBA Draft after playing for Villanova for two seasons. Bey finished his sophomore campaign with averages of 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 33.9 minutes through 31 games. He shot .477 from the floor and .451 from distance a season ago, marking the fourth-highest 3-point shooting percentage in the nation. Bey finished with a .418 clip from 3-point range for his collegiate career. He was named a 2019-20 Honorable Mention AP All-American and unanimous All-Big East First Team selection. He was a Top-15 finalist for the 2019-20 John Wooden Award and was the winner of the 2019-20 Julius Erving Award, recognizing the nation’s top small forward. The Charlotte, N.C. native was also selected to the 2018-19 Big East All-Freshman team.

Hands, 6-3, 180, played for the Long Island Nets in the NBA G League in 2019-20. He averaged 11.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 22.6 minutes in 41 games. Hands was drafted 56th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the L.A. Clippers and played two seasons at UCLA from 2017-19.

McGruder, 6-4, 205, played for the L.A. Clippers in 2019-20 after spending three years with the Miami Heat. McGruder holds career averages of 5.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 218 NBA games (116 starts). The Kansas State product has played in nine NBA Playoff games in two playoff appearances, one with each of his former teams.

Rockets superstar James Harden reportedly seeks trade to Nets

Now this is big. James Harden, one of the best players in the NBA, and one of the league’s most potent offensive superstars in many years, is reportedly ready to move on from the Houston Rockets. Where would Harden like to be traded? Brooklyn, reportedly. Here’s the Houston Chronicle:

James Harden on Monday went from interested to determined in regard to making the career- and franchise-changing move of leaving the Rockets for the Brooklyn Nets. And he took an unprecedented step to prove it.

Harden turned down the Rockets’ offer of a two-year, $103 million contract extension, two individuals with knowledge of the offer confirmed. ESPN was the first to report the offer that would have had Harden, 31, under contract, for five more seasons.

The extension would have put Harden in line to become the highest-paid player in NBA history.

Harden made it clear that rather than finish his career with the Rockets, he wants to be dealt to the Nets to play with Kevin Durant, his former Oklahoma City teammate, and Kyrie Irving. He also indicated he has no interest in going anywhere besides Brooklyn and believes the Rockets should make the best deal with the Nets that they can, even if they do not consider it satisfactory.

Harden, the NBA’s leading scorer the past three seasons, has three seasons, worth $133 million, remaining on his contract, the last season at a player option.

Harden and Kyrie Irving aren’t necessarily a perfect backcourt match, but their individual talent is undeniable, and their potential, along with Durant in the frontcourt, would make for an incredibly powerful NBA trio.

For now, this just remains Harden’s alleged wish. By no means does this appear to be a trade in motion just yet.