Time is running out on the Nets‘ 2024-25 season.
While Brooklyn technically hasn’t been eliminated from Play-In Tournament contention, sitting eight games behind Miami Heat for 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings with 10 games left, the team would essentially have to win out to get there.
The team has a 3-15 record since the All-Star break, and with a 23-49 overall record, is tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for the fifth best NBA Draft lottery odds. There are only four teams worse than them at this point in the season: The New Orleans Pelicans (20-53), Charlotte Hornets (18-54), Utah Jazz (16-57) and Washington Wizards (15-56).
With four straight losses entering Wednesday’s game against the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center, the Nets are currently tied with the Sacramento Kings for the second-longest active losing streak in the league.
The writing is on the wall. Perhaps Brooklyn should consider shutting down some of its veterans down the stretch, such as Cam Johnson, D’Angelo Russell and Nic Claxton, and prioritize minutes for its young developing talent. After all, ahead of the season, general manager Sean Marks made it clear that 2024-25 was supposed to be about identifying who the “next Nets” are.
Unsung pieces like Tosan Evbuomwan and Tyrese Martin were handed opportunities and exceeded expectations. Maxwell Lewis has certainly surprised in extended minutes down the stretch. It’s time to determine if Brooklyn has any other diamonds hidden in the rough.
“The approach is the same: get one percent better and go out there and compete and fight for the game no matter who’s out there,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “I think we’ve done that the whole year… Our main purpose is to get better and see who’s the next Net and who’s worthy of being here for the long run.”
With Johnson (rest) and Day’Ron Sharpe (right knee sprain) slated to miss Wednesday’s game against Toronto, second-year guard Dariq Whitehead — who’s appeared in just 10 games this season and none since March 4 — was recalled from G League affiliate Long Island.
Maybe the Nets should take a look at Long Island forward Drew Timme, who was named G League Player of the Week after averaging 35.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, two steals and shooting 63.6% from 3-point range.
Brooklyn still has an open roster spot and could call up the former Gonzaga standout if it chose to. Killian Hayes has also strung together strong performances since returning to Long Island and could be worthy of consideration.
“Obviously we have a job to do and evaluate,” Fernandez said. “It’s good to see all these guys who haven’t played as much, like Max for instance. He’s done a good job. So, that’s going to be our goal, is to keep doing what we’re doing and do it in this way. But obviously those minutes have to be played extremely hard, in the right way, and competing. Whoever, whatever lineups we’ve had out there throughout the year, moving forward, they will go out there and try to compete.”
