標籤: Acquisition

Josh Minott is attempting to carve out a consistent role during his fourth NBA season. The former Boston Celtics forward is making a strong case for an extended opportunity following a trade for the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets.

Minot had the best performance of his career during Brooklyn’s 108-97 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. The 6-foot-8 wing kept the Nets, who were down more than half their rotation, competitive for most of the game. He made a post A career-high 24 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, 4-of-7 from three and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line with three steals and three blocks in 24 minutes.

When Minot was asked what led to the best inning of his career, he said, “I would just say my teammates.” “They were finding me at their cuts when I was open. I mean, I basically owe them everything. I didn’t really do anything that didn’t involve them finding me… I’m coming into a situation in the middle of the season. So I have to make a crazy mental shift. So for them to really help speed things up and help me understand who we are as a team — just our game, values, how we play — I mean, I would say that.” That’s everything. They definitely help guide me, and I’m looking forward to what else they have to teach me.”

https://t.co/fqqnByahKa pic.twitter.com/x6GBVVDoBo

– Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) 13 March 2026

Minot joined the Nets at the trade deadline from the Boston Celtics, who dropped his minimum salary below the luxury tax. The 23-year-old has performed well for Boston earlier this season.

Josh Minott’s heads turned during the Nets’ rebuilding audition

Minot averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 18.5 minutes per game in his first 27 appearances this season. He shot 50.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three on 7.1 attempts per 100 possessions during the stretch.

The 6-foot-8 Memphis product, with a seven-foot wingspan and above-average athleticism, has impressed as a defensive playmaker. His promising three-point shooting and drive length at the rim offer an interesting two-way upside for the Nets team that acquired him at no cost.

Minot’s four made threes and six steals (steals + blocks) on Thursday were both career highs.

“I was looking forward to it,” he said of his performance. “But at the end of the day, I wouldn’t call it futile, but there is a goal. So overall, I don’t want to say I’m satisfied, but I’m quite happy with my performance… I’m just trying to keep that momentum going. I understand that they had a momentum before me, and I’m not trying to ruin that. I’m just trying to find a way to come in and impact the game. Just keep the team up, elevate the team and its values.” “I’m trying.”

Minot should have ample opportunity to prove his worth as the Nets increase their offensive aggression to close out the season. Brooklyn recently shut down Igor Demin and Deron Sharp for the season. Michael Porter Jr. (right ankle sprain), Nolan Traore (rest) and Zaire Williams (illness) also were ruled out against Atlanta.

The Nets have a $2.58 million team option on Minot for next season.

Will the Phoenix Suns’ newest acquisition, Haywood Highsmith, make his season debut on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings? The 6-foot-5 forward is unsure himself.

He was given a timetable of two to three weeks to return from knee surgery in August 2025. From the moment he arrived at the Valley of the Sun, Highsmith was committed to being ready for the final stages of the season.

“Doing a lot of work. Making good progress. Making progress faster than they thought and getting more comfortable every time working with rehab and stuff. Just looking good and feeling good,” Highsmith said during Tuesday’s shootaround, via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin on Ax (formerly Twitter).

The former Miami Heat forward has defensive ability, which Phoenix was very interested in acquiring. After the Suns executed at the NBA trade deadline, they vacated a roster spot.

The signing of Highsmith was a bit of a surprise, given how he fits into Miami’s culture. But he fits seamlessly into Phoenix head coach Jordan Ott’s defensive scheme of players who can switch and be versatile on that end.

What can Haywood Highsmith bring to the Suns?

Defense, defense, and more defense. Despite not being the best offensive player, this was his calling card. However, Highsmith developed into a good 3-point shooter, getting 42 starts last season.

The 3-and-D philosophy will never go away in the NBA, and as long as a player can be effective on both sides, it’s usually a recipe for success.

And with Jordan Goodwin scheduled to be evaluated in about a week or two, Highsmith’s appearance comes at a critical time. Like Goodwin, the newest addition to the team will bring his own calling card.

“Defensively, that’s what I do. Pressing. Picking up, being that dog defensively. Crashing the glass, being a good shooter, playing off guys like (Jalen Green and Devin Booker) as a spot up shooter and just bringing that energy,” Highsmith said via Rankin.

“Just being a tough, solid guy and doing the intangibles and doing whatever it takes to win.”

No-ego is an automatic green flag for Suns, and they may find themselves a perennial lockdown savior. Now it remains to be seen whether he is fit on Tuesday despite no injury report.

Josh Minot played extended minutes for the first time with the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. While the Nets were thoroughly embarrassed during their 148-111 blowout loss to the Boston Celtics, Minot surprised everyone with his play against his former team.

The trade deadline acquisition was one of Brooklyn’s only bright spots, posting nine points and two rebounds on 4-of-7 shooting in 16 minutes off the bench.

“It’s just me trying to play basketball to the best of my ability,” Minot said after the game. “Being here I know a little bit about the enemy’s tactics, but overall I’m just trying to play as hard as I can for my team, my coaches and trying to play the Brooklyn way.”

Minot showcased his athletic talent and two-way versatility against his former teammates. The 6-foot-8 forward was comfortable making plays off the dribble, breaking down Boston’s defense on two possessions, leading to easy Brooklyn buckets. He also threw down a poster dunk over Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez early in the game.

Josh Minot looks very comfortable creating bounces. pic.twitter.com/WiPrHfWV3B

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 28 February 2026

Josh Minot looks very comfortable creating bounces. pic.twitter.com/WiPrHfWV3B

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 28 February 2026

Minot has impressed for the Celtics early this season.

Josh Minot impresses during first extended minutes with Nets after trade from Celtics

The 23-year-old averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 18.5 minutes per game in his first 27 appearances with Boston. He shot 50.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three on 7.1 attempts per 100 possessions during that span.

However, he fell out of Boston’s rotation as the team got healthy. The Celtics salary-dumped Minot to the Nets in exchange for $110,000 at the deadline to get out of the luxury tax.

Minot played three games with Brooklyn’s G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, before being called up Thursday. Jordi Fernandez hinted that the fourth-year forward could be in line for an extended NBA audition.

Fernandez said, “He played in Long Island, did a great job. We needed him to be in game shape and I think he took advantage of those minutes and now he’s ready to play here. So, very happy with him and trying to help him develop and see what we got.” “[Josh is a] Great personality. You can tell he’s been a teammate in the group for a long time, the way he’s blended in right away. He knew what we were about. I sat down with them in my office, and sometimes you feel like it’s going to be a quick conversation, and all of a sudden, we’re talking for about 20-30 minutes, and it was cool getting to know these guys. The reality of the NBA, sometimes trades happen, and it can be weird, but it’s part of it. And he’s done a great job of trying to be a part of it [here] right away.”

With the Nets tanking, Minot should continue to see heavy minutes as the season progresses. He has a $2.6 million team option for 2026–27.

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

➡️ Watch Live on YES & THE @gothamsports App: https://t.co/sWMqNZ0hci pic.twitter.com/sqneGAEdL6

– Yes Network (@YESNetwork) 20 February 2026

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.