2 The Nets are trading acquisitions who can earn new contracts during the second half of the season

ByNBAUSA


Sean Marks is looking for “the next Brooklyn Nets” as his team moves forward in a rebuild.While several familiar faces will battle to secure long-term roles during the second half of the season, two new faces — Josh Minot and Despair Agbadji — have entered the mix.

The Nets bought Minott and Broken from the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptorsthat is, within the trade deadline. While the pair of salary acquisitions flew under the radar, Brooklyn brought in both players for a reason.

“We know they are very good players. That’s why they are here,” Jordi Fernandez said. “Show me what you can bring to the group, and if you can be a part of this group, you can be the net of the future. … Ball pressure is our first base. Any time you can apply pressure on the ball — full court or half court — you can create turnovers and deflections and make the other team uncomfortable late in the clock. We believe those guys can do it, and I watch them do it.”

The Nets acquired Minott as a salary dump from the Celticswho had to terminate his minimum contract to fall below the luxury tax. Brooklyn sent $110,000 in cash to Boston and did not receive a draft pick in exchange for taking on the forward’s contract, indicating the team sees value in his skill set.

Minott has a non-guaranteed contract of $2.58 million for 2026-27.

Josh Minott, Ochai Agbaji audition for Nets after joining team at trade deadline

Boston Celtics forward Josh Minot (8) rebounds against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second quarter at TD Garden.
© David Butler II – Imagn Images

Brooklyn’s intrigue in Minot shouldn’t be surprising given his performance early this season. The 23-year-old is average 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 18.5 minutes per game over his first 27 appearances before falling out of Boston’s rotation. He was very efficient offensively during that span, shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three on 7.1 attempts per 100 possessions.

“For me, it’s about staying true to the values ​​that I’ve learned in my three and a half years in the league, especially the work ethic. I’ve been in some winning organizations. Understanding what we’ve done right and what it takes to make those playoff runs, it’s about carrying that over,” Minot said. “Defensively, I fit the core values ​​here: pressure and disruption. My shooting has come a long way, too. I can safely say that’s a strength and I believe in straight, open shots.”

At 6-foot-8 with a seven-foot wingspan and above-average athleticism, Minot fits the Nets’ defensive vision. His offensive development early this season turned heads around the league.

“I played because of hunger,” Minot said of his improved play with Boston. “That’s something I definitely bring here (to Brooklyn), hunger and desperation. I know this organization values ​​that mindset about upsets. I’ve seen us near the top of the league in scoring, so it’s not just talk. I bring that drive and determination.”

meanwhile, The Nets acquired the Raptors’ 2032 second-round pick in exchange for taking on Agbadji’s $6.4 million expiring contract. The 6-foot-5 guard fell out of Toronto’s rotation this season due to the worst shooting slump of his career.

However, he averaged 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 50/40/71 shooting in 64 appearances (45 starts) last season.

“For me, it’s getting back to myself and who I know I can be,” Agbaji said. “That’s very important in this league, and that’s what I work for and what I’m trying to show again. First, my defense and the intensity that I play with every night. I always try to win every possession. That’s who I am as a player. I know I still have a lot to show. I had a great season last year and I’m trying to build on a great time, but to be able to do what I can do here.





2026-02-18 20:50:00

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