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This season, the Nets embarked on a dual mission:
To ensure their rookies received ample playing time for growth, while strategically positioning themselves for a favorable draft pick by increasing their lottery odds for June’s draft.
They succeeded on both fronts. Boasting the NBA’s youngest roster, the Nets led the league in rookie minutes. Their 20-62 record secured them third place in the lottery standings, with the top three teams sharing equal chances.
“The minutes these players have accumulated are incredibly important,” remarked coach Jordi Fernández. “Every participant, from those on two-way contracts to the 10-day players and all the young talent, has gained valuable experience.”
“Every single game has significance. NBA minutes are challenging to earn; with only 30 teams, it’s the premier league globally. It’s been an opportunity for these players to demonstrate their abilities, and I’m pleased with the positive strides they’ve made,” Fernández added.
The Nets ended the season with a 136-101 loss in Toronto.
Two-way Tyson Etienne led them with 20 points, four assists and two steals, while undrafted rookie Chaney Johnson added 16 points and 13 rebounds. First-round pick Ben Saraf fouled out with 15 points, four assists and two steals.
“I’m obviously happy with the development of our young guys,” GM Sean Marks told YES Network.
“Knowing that our objective this year was to have the young guys play and play real NBA minutes. That was the No. 1 priority in between the G-League and the development there and also here. We now lead the league in rookie minutes the whole year, so that’s exactly what we wanted to do.”
The Nets are one of three teams with the maximum 14 percent odds at winning the lottery, and a 40.1 percent chance at a top three draft pick.
Their most likely draft slots are sixth (26.0) or fifth (14.8). They can’t fall below seventh, and the draft is regarded as falling off after the top seven prospects.
The Nets have won the lottery in 1990 (Derrick Coleman), 2000 (Kenyon Martin) and 2017, but they had traded the latter pick away to Boston (who used it to trade down for Jayson Tatum).
Meanwhile, the No. 3 lottery spot has been lucky of late. Minnesota won the lottery in 2020 (Anthony Edwards) and San Antonio three years later (Victor Wembanyama). Last year, Charlotte actually fell to draft fourth, but Kon Knueppel had a historic season and is the Rookie of the Year front-runner.
The Nets should be so lucky.
Trevon Scott started after being signed Sunday morning.
His 10-day contract expired, but the Nets inked him on what a source told The Post was a hardship deal that only covered Sunday’s game against Toronto.