Brooklyn traded for the reserve performer. He delivered his best night yet, which could very well mean a return for 2026-27.
The Brooklyn Nets lured Josh Minott in before the NBA Trade Deadline with the thought he'd be a depth piece. And nothing more after that.
But Minott gave the Nets a huge surprise: Dropping a career-best 24 points on the Atlanta Hawks despite the 11-point loss.
Minott became the "Michael Porter Jr." for Brooklyn in establishing himself as the leading scorer. He ended up catching Atlanta off guard with his shooting touch after being labeled across the league as a defender.
Now he's likely earned a new label moving forward: Returning Nets player.
Minott is carrying a $2.58 million cap hit after his trade from the Boston Celtics. He previously signed a two-year deal with the latter. Brooklyn took on the remainder of his salary after the completed trade.
But he revealed via Erik Slater of ClutchPoints that he desired having a night like the one Minott put together Thursday.
"I've been waiting on it,” he said of his performance with the Nets insider Slater. “But at the end of the day, I'm not going to call it pointless, but there's one goal. So overall, I don't want to say I'm satisfied, but I'm pretty happy with my performance."
What's his vision moving forward after his first and long-awaited personal breakout night?
"I'm just trying to keep the same rhythm," he said. "I understand that they had a rhythm before me, and I'm just not trying to ruin that. I'm just trying to come in and find a way I can impact the game. Just trying to uphold the team, lift the team and its values."
He directed the most credit to this area of the Nets who elevated his play.
“I'd say just my teammates,” Minott said. “Them finding me on my cuts when I was open. I mean, I owe basically everything to them. I didn't really do anything that didn't involve them finding me."
Minott admits he's still trying to find his consistent footing with Brooklyn.
"I'm coming into a situation halfway through the season. So I have to make a crazy mental switch," he said. "So for them to really help speed things along and help me to understand who we are as a team — just our plays, values, how we play — I mean, I'd say that's everything. They definitely help guide me, and I'm looking forward to what more they have to teach me."
But again, Minott likely sealed a spot for next season in Brooklyn. Regardless of where the Nets pick in the upcoming NBA Draft come June. Head coach Jordi Fernandez can use veterans to show the incoming Nets pick the ropes. Minott's Hawks game should solidify a return.
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