Brooklyn Nets’ youngsters prepare for grueling rebuild

While many projects end in failure, the young Brooklyn Nets see an opportunity.

According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, Noah Clowney, Jalen Wilson and Keon Johnson all spoke about how they found themselves facing an organizational overhaul.

“I look at it positively. I look for the best in every situation,” Clowney said. “We’re young, so you know, we look at our roster and people think we can’t compete. That doesn’t mean we have to go out there and lay down.”

From a glass-half-full perspective, entering a complete rebuild puts less pressure on Brooklyn’s young core to become overnight stars. The bar will be set low from the get-go, giving room for both growth and mistakes.

“So I think we’re young, we can grow together, and we can build something. And that’s the goal.”

Wilson proved to be the Nets’ greatest asset in the NBA 2K25 Summer League, ultimately winning the Summer League MVP award.

“I just take every day and every opportunity that I get as a blessing and I want to attack everything,” Wilson said. “I started with Summer League and now it’s going to be in the summer, training camp and stuff like that. So it’s taking advantage of the opportunity. That’s all you ask for as a young guy in the NBA is an opportunity to play and show what you can do.”

While Wilson’s accomplishment became the dominant headline for Brooklyn after the Mikal Bridges trade, Johnson’s re-signing was somewhat lost in the news. During Wilson’s summer league, Johnson managed to land a two-year, $4.5 million contract.

“I feel like it’s a foundation of the work I’ve been doing the last few years,” Johnson said. “I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs, basically since I got drafted, and I’ve just held on to my hat, just kept doing the work, and hopefully one day my number will be called and I’ll have the opportunity I have now.”

The Brooklyn Nets’ losses will likely continue to mount in the 2024-25 season, but it’s clear that the early stages of a rebuild won’t discourage future players.

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