Even an injured Josh Minott shined for the Brooklyn Nets. The team awaits his healthy return, anticipating an impactful summer.
Josh Minott maximized his extended opportunities with the Brooklyn Nets, even while injured, and general manager Sean Marks is looking forward to seeing the young forward healthy in the summer.
"He was playing on one leg with us for most of the time here," Marks told reporters in Monday's exit interview. "So it's nice to get that ankle taken care of, and then again, have another big summer for a young man like that."
Brooklyn acquired Minott for cash considerations on Feb. 5, according to an NBA report at the time. Minott started the season with the Boston Celtics, and his short tenure there likely came to an end when he missed 12 games in January because of an ankle injury.
Traded to the Nets, the 6-foot-8 forward played 19 games with his new team and received more opportunities than he did in Boston.
Coach Jordi Fernández played Minott 19.3 minutes per game and he averaged 10.8 points and 2.5 rebounds. The ex-Celtic instantly became one of Brooklyn's top 3-point shooters, hitting 39.5 percent on 4.8 attempts.
His efficiency from beyond the arc fueled two performances of 20 points or more for a new career-high.
Minott's 24 points in the Nets' loss to the Atlanta Hawks on March 12 became his new career high; his previous best was 21 points against the Washington Wizards on Nov. 5.
He shot 6-for-9 from the field, 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, and went 8-for-10 from the free-throw line.
Minott's quick-trigger jumper punished the Hawks' defense when they helped off him to pressure the ball handler. He was aggressive, attacking the rim and using his length to finish over defenders.
His length also proved troublesome for Atlanta on the defensive end, as he recorded three blocks and three steals. Minott disrupted the passing lanes, which allowed him to get steals and push the pace for Brooklyn.
Minott's blocks came from weakside help when his teammates forced their matchup into a tough shot, allowing him to rush over and block the shot.
He credited his teammates, including veterans Terrance Mann and Nic Claxton, for helping him acclimate to the team's style after losing to the Hawks.
"I'm coming into a situation halfway through the season," Minott said. "So I have to make a crazy mental switch. For them to really help speed things along and help me to understand who we are as a team, our plays, values, [and] how we play. I say that's everything."
Three games later, Minott dropped 22 points against the New York Knicks, despite the Nets' 93-92 loss. Much like his performance against Atlanta, he shot 8-for-13 from the field and 6-for-9 from three.
He added five rebounds, two blocks and a steal to his stat line. In 19 games with Brooklyn, Minott proved to be a valuable three-and-D wing on a relatively affordable contract.
Minott signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Celtics in free agency last year, and his second year is a club option.
Despite nursing an ankle injury he suffered in January, Minott produced for the Nets, at least enough to earn Marks' praise, which could signify Brooklyn picking up his team option before or on the July 15 deadline.
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