Nets Rule Out Rookie Pair Brown, Jefferson For Preseason Opener

The NBA kicked off training camp around the league this past week, with the Brooklyn Nets getting together for their first few official practice sessions as a full team.

But, some players remain sidelined due to injury, including the rookie duo of Mikel Brown Jr. and Joshua Jefferson.

Brown is dealing with an ankle injury that limited him dating back to the NBA Summer League, while Jefferson is dealing with lower back tightness.

For Brown, the Nets' top selection from this past year's draft, missing Game 1 of the preseason is not surprising, as he has not yet been cleared for full contact.

Over the weekend, the New York Post's Brian Lewis released a more in-depth update about Brown's status.

"Yeah, as of right now they’re just telling me you could get back moving a little bit, really just trying to get the strengthening it up back,” Brown said about his injury. “I mean, I am back on the court moving. That’s all I’m really worried about right now. I’m just taking it one step at a time.” 

There is no rush for Brown to get back and play in the preseason, but getting him some reps alongside players like Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle would be beneficial.

On Monday, head coach Jordi Fernández didn't rule out his rookie guard, saying that the plan is for him to play later in the schedule.

One of Brown's top attributes is his playmaking, which he demonstrated during his limited tenure in Las Vegas.

Having capable scorers like Randle and Porter to defer too is a huge benefit for Brown as he enters his first NBA season.

Jefferson, the latter Nets' first rounder, is also being given the leeway to get healthy, as the team continues to take a conservative approach with it's rookies.

Last season at Iowa State, Jefferson was a consensus Second Team All-American, averaging 16.4 points per game, while leading the Cyclones in rebounding (7.4) and finishing just shy of the team-lead for assists (4.8).

At the end of June, Jefferson added another honor to his name, earning the Gary Thompson Iowa State Male Athlete of the Year from his former university.

"Jefferson is the 18th Iowa State Men's Basketball player to earn the award, which started in 1947," Iowa State athletics wrote. "The last men's basketball player to earn the award was Monté Morris in 2017, as the program completed a run of having three in four years with Melvin Ejim (2014) and Georges Niang (2016) also winning."

For Brooklyn, Jefferson will provide Fernández with versatility in the front court, as the 6-foot-9 big man can play spurts at the center position.

With center being the main question mark remaining on Brooklyn's roster, using Jefferson as a small-ball five could be intriguing.

Jefferson's passing ability allows him to play from the perimeter and initiate offense with the opposing team's center dragged out of the paint.

Getting Jefferson NBA reps in the preseason should be a priority, as he struggled from the field in his limited opportunities at the Summer League.

The Nets kick off their preseason slate Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. against the Charlotte Hornets.