Brooklyn trade acquisition turns heads against former team in debut

Josh Minott played extended minutes with Brooklyn Nets first time on friday. While the Nets were thoroughly embarrassed during a 148-111 loss to Boston CelticsMinott turned heads with his performance against his former team.

The trade deadline acquisition was one of Brooklyn’s lone bright spots, with nine points and two rebounds on 4-of-7 shooting in 16 minutes off the bench.

“I’m just trying to play the best basketball I can,” Minot said after the game. “I know a little bit about the enemy’s quote-unquote tactics since coming here, but overall I just try to play as hard as I can for my team, my coaches and try to play the Brooklyn way.”

Minot showed off his athleticism and two-way versatility against his former teammates. The 6-foot-8 forward was comfortable creating off the dribble, breaking down Boston’s defense on a couple of possessions that led to easy baskets for Brooklyn. He also threw down a poster dunk over Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez in transition early in the game.

Josh Minott looks very comfortable creating the rebound. pic.twitter.com/ViPrHfVV3B

— Eric Slater (@erikslater_) February 28, 2026

Josh Minott looks very comfortable creating the rebound. pic.twitter.com/ViPrHfVV3B

— Eric Slater (@erikslater_) February 28, 2026

Minot impressed with the Celtics earlier this season.

Josh Minott impresses in first extended minutes with Nets after Celtics trade

The 23-year-old averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 18.5 minutes per game over his first 27 appearances for Boston. In that span, he shot 50.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three on 7.1 attempts per 100 possessions.

However, he fell out of Boston’s rotation as the team got healthy. Minott was waived by the Celtics to the Nets in exchange for $110,000 at the deadline to duck under the luxury tax.

Minot played in three games with Brooklyn’s G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, before being called up Thursday. Jordi Fernandez hinted that the fourth-year forward could be in line for an extended NBA audition.

“He played in Long Island, did a great job. We needed him to be in shape, and I think he took advantage of those minutes, and now he’s ready to play here. So, I’m very happy with him and I’m trying to help him develop and see what we got,” Fernandez said. “(Josh is) a great personality. You could tell he’d been a teammate for a long time, the way he fit right in. He knew what we were about. I sat down with him in my office, and sometimes you feel like it’s going to be a quick conversation, and all of a sudden, we’re talking like 20-30 minutes to get to the reality show. There’s a craft, and it can be weird, but that’s part of it, and he’s done a great job just trying to be a part of it. (here) now.

With the Nets, Minot should continue to see heavy minutes as the season progresses. He has a $2.6 million team option for 2026-27.