Ochai Agbaji is getting a fresh start with the Brooklyn Nets. Traded by the Toronto Raptors at the deadline, the former lottery pick has an opportunity to regain his form in Brooklyn during the second half of the season.
Agbaji took a step in the right direction during his first extended action in net. The 25-year-old was one of Brooklyn's only bright spots during Thursday's 112-84 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He posted 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and one block on 5 of 8 shooting from the field and 3 of 6 from three.
Agbaji finished with a team-best minus-four in 28 minutes.
"[Ochai] Very good job,” Jordi Fernandez said after the game. “He was ready to shoot. He still has to get used to the spacing, the rules, certain plays and defensive concepts. But I think he was great. He was ready; he fought. Physically and mentally, he was ready to go. Nice to see this.”
Agbaji had the best season of his career in 2024–25, averaging 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 50/40/71 shooting splits in 64 appearances. However, he fell out of the Raptors' rotation this year due to a career-worst shooting slump (12 of 65 from three in 42 games with Toronto).
Ochai Agbaji struggling to secure long-term role after trade with Nets
While the Nets received a second-round pick in exchange for Agbaji's contract, Fernandez praised the guard's skills upon his arrival. With a 6-foot-5 wingspan, a 6-foot-10 frame and above-average athleticism, the former Kansas star has the tools to be an impact guard.
that athleticism was on display On Thursday.
Agbaji got Uttar Pradesh for this rejection
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His ability to put together a positive shooting night will go a long way in earning an expanded role.
"It felt good. It felt good to see the ball go in and get some rhythm with my guys and score some runs," Agbaji said after the game. “Obviously, that was one game before the All-Star break, but [it was] Little minutes here and there. Saw this for the first time [extended] A few minutes to really get my form and go with them, and I'm excited. I'm excited about what we can do. The style we play is very unselfish and I'm that type of player. So I fit in.”
Agbaji will be a free agent when his rookie contract expires this summer. He is one of several players — including Ziaire Williams, Jalen Wilson and Josh Minott — fighting to secure a new deal on the back-end of Brooklyn's roster.
