Noah Clowney and Josh Minott lead a high-stakes competition for minutes within Brooklyn’s crowded, young rotation this season.
Brooklyn Nets training camp is several days away, and the forward position will be the most intriguing position to watch before the preseason begins.
Julius Randle and Michael Porter Jr. are locked in as the starters. Brian Lewis of the New York Post believes the backup competition is between Josh Minott, Danny Wolf, Noah Clowney and Joshua Jefferson.
Three of the four have something to prove next season. Jefferson has some leeway as a rookie who will likely play most of his first year with the G League affiliate Long Island Nets.
Minott was a midseason acquisition and nursed an ailing ankle injury that led to a rough start to his Brooklyn tenure. He bounced back with two 20-plus-point performances and averaged 10.8 points in 16 games, earning high praise from general manager Sean Marks in his exit interview.
The Nets extended Minott, signing him to a two-year, $9 million contract. His 39.5% three-point shooting and 1.3 steals per game give the team a two-way wing on a cost-controlled deal.
Wolf is entering his second year as part of the Flatbush Five. Egor Dëmin was the best player of the bunch and improved as a downhill scorer.
His growth puts pressure on the other four to become contributors on a young, crowded roster.
Wolf needs to improve as an interior scorer, much like Dëmin. He recorded more rim attempts than 66% of the league, but shot better than 17% of players.
His shot diet is similar to a center's, and at 6-foot-11, efficiency shouldn't be a concern when in the restricted area.
Clowney is the most interesting player in this battle. He's entering the final year of his rookie deal and is eligible for an extension.
The 22-year-old started a career-high 60 games last season, and Randle's introduction has moved him back to the bench. Clowney will have to prove he can be effective in a limited role, spacing the floor and getting to the free-throw line.
He had the highest foul-drawing frequency at 18.5%, leading over stars like the New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns (16.4%), the Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards (15.2%) and the Orlando Magic's Paolo Banchero (13.8%).
Clowney is the most proven player ready to start the season as the backup power forward behind Randle. Jefferson is a rookie, and Danny Wolf still has strides to make in his second season.
Coach Jordi Fernández has choices to make at the backup forward positions. Brooklyn has the roster to be competitive next season, and Fernández will choose the forwards who fit his philosophy.
