Erik Slater Articles - Page 4

The Brooklyn Nets were seconds away from picking up their best win of the season on Friday. Days after the second-worst loss in franchise history, Jordi Fernandez’s squad overcame several late deficits to take a three-point lead over the Boston Celtics with 2.5 seconds left in overtime. However, a head-scratching blunder cost the Nets during […]

The Boston Celtics have exceeded expectations this season thanks to the contributions of several proven veterans. However, rookie Hugo Gonzalez’s play hasn’t gone unnoticed among those with an eye on the future. The No. 28 pick has looked the part during his minutes, turning heads with his two-way capabilities. “He plays hard. For a young […]

Michael Porter Jr.’s stock is rising. Porter has put together an All-Star-caliber season as the Brooklyn Nets’ No. 1 option. The forward’s production in his new role is changing the narrative surrounding his place in the NBA hierarchy. For the first time in his career, Porter cracked the top 50 on an NBA top 100 […]

Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton is among the top big men on the trade market ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline. The Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers are among the teams to register interest in the 26-year-old, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. “A couple of teams that have had some interest. You look at […]

The Brooklyn Nets had an opportunity to drive a stake into the heart of their crosstown rival on Wednesday. Instead, they wound up on the wrong side of history, losing 120-66 to a New York Knicks squad that had dropped nine of its previous 11 games. The 54-point massacre at Madison Square Garden marked the […]

Michael Porter Jr. revealed he’s been playing through a knee injury amid a dip in production over the last two weeks. The Brooklyn Nets forward said he suffered an MCL sprain during a Jan. 7 loss to the Orlando Magic. “I actually was dealing with an MCL, a little sprain against Orlando… My knee has […]

Three years removed from his NCAA Tournament heroics, Drew Timme is finally back on the big stage. Following a short stint with the Brooklyn Nets late last season, Timme is making the most of a new opportunity with the Los Angeles Lakers. The ex-Gonzaga star has made an immediate impact after joining the Lakers’ rotation […]

The NBA trade deadline is two weeks away, and the Brooklyn Nets will be at the center of numerous conversations. With several veterans in their rotation and an NBA-high $15 million in cap space, the rebuilding squad is positioned to be a seller and facilitator for larger deals. With that, we outline the three most […]

Dillon Brooks’ technical foul problem has reached a new level. The Suns forward picked up his NBA-leading 14th technical on Monday during the Phoenix Suns’ win over the Brooklyn Nets. He’s now two technicals away from a one-game suspension. Brooks’ latest technical came with the Suns leading the Nets 121-114 with 3:28 remaining. He had […]

Dillon Brooks continued a career-best campaign on Monday, powering the Phoenix Suns to a 126-117 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Brooks posted a game-high 27 points while draining 6-of-9 three-point attempts. Following the performance, Nets forward Ziaire Williams, who was teammates with Brooks with the Memphis Grizzlies, had a blunt declaration about the Suns forward’s […]

Cam Thomas doesn’t appear to be re-entering the Brooklyn Nets’ starting lineup anytime soon. After leading the Nets in scoring through their first seven games, Thomas has come off the bench following his return from a hamstring injury, averaging 22.5 minutes over nine appearances. While the fifth-year guard is nearly three months removed from his […]

Matas Buzelis is among the most promising young pieces on a Chicago Bulls team searching for its future core. Yet, Buzelis’ high standing in the organization didn’t stop Billy Donovan from benching him during the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s win over the Utah Jazz. When asked about Buzelis’ benching, Donovan revealed the area the 21-year-old […]

The Chicago Bulls are treading water with Josh Giddey sidelined by a hamstring injury. Losers of four of their last six games, the Bulls sit in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. They could receive a significant boost with Giddey’s return. With Giddey’s absence approaching three weeks, Billy Donovan said the team hopes to have […]

The Milwaukee Bucks will be among the NBA’s most active teams in conversations at this year’s trade deadline. While a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade has been the talk of the NBA for over a year, league executives expect the Bucks to be a buyer ahead of Feb. 5 as they aim to surround their franchise player […]

The Brooklyn Nets are in New Orleans ahead of Wednesday’s matchup with the Pelicans. With the Denver Nuggets also in town to face the Pelicans on Tuesday, Michael Porter Jr. stopped by Smoothie King Center to watch his former team. Porter had a front-row seat as Peyton Watson led the Nuggets to a 122-116 victory. […]

Michael Porter Jr. had lofty expectations for himself entering the NBA. Porter didn’t only expect to be an All-Star, but the best player in the league. While injuries slowed him down earlier in his career, he’s making up for lost time with the Brooklyn Nets. Porter has planted himself firmly in the All-Star conversation while […]

Michael Porter Jr.’s breakout has made him the hottest commodity on the market leading up to this year’s NBA trade deadline. The Brooklyn Nets forward’s outside shooting, off-ball movement and secondary shot-creation would offer a significant upgrade for several contenders ahead of the playoffs. Porter has averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists on […]

The Milwaukee Bucks have spent the last year maneuvering to rebuild their roster to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s liking. Despite numerous reports painting a picture of Antetokounmpo’s wandering eye, the team remains steadfast in its attempt to convince the superstar to stick around. The Bucks’ desire for win-now upgrades opens the door for an aggressive move ahead […]

The Brooklyn Nets will welcome Michael Porter Jr. back to their lineup on Monday vs. the Dallas Mavericks. Porter missed Sunday’s 103-98 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies for rest. The absence prompted some fans to speculate on a potential trade amid several reports of teams’ interest in the forward. However, Porter had sat during Brooklyn’s […]

The NBA trade deadline is less than a month away, and Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. is the name drawing the most buzz. With the Nets in the early stages of a rebuild and Porter in the midst of a breakout campaign, several contenders are interested in Porter’s services. That is, if the Nets […]

The Brooklyn Nets will be without leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. when they travel to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. Porter Jr. will miss the game for rest on the front end of a back-to-back. With trade speculation surrounding Porter Jr. growing, some fans have suggested that the breakout forward’s absence could signal a […]

The Brooklyn Nets will look to rebound from a heartbreaking loss when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. They may be without their top player, Michael Porter Jr., as they attempt to do so. Porter Jr. was a late addition to Brooklyn’s injury report due to right knee soreness. The Nets listed him […]

Paolo Banchero’s game-winner crushed the Brooklyn Nets’ hearts during Wednesday’s 104-103 overtime loss to the Orlando Magic. However, for Nets fans, Egor Demin was the story of the night. Demin was an afterthought for the first 44 minutes of the game. Then, he flipped a switch, nearly propelling Brooklyn to an improbable comeback victory. After […]

Four years removed from their time together with the Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Durant and Ime Udoka have reunited with the Houston Rockets. Udoka coached Durant in Brooklyn as an assistant under Steve Nash in 2020-21. The duo is attempting to lead the Rockets to their first championship since 1995. Udoka revealed Durant’s most significant change since […]

After eight years together, the Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young are working together to find the star guard a new home. While Young reportedly has several destinations in mind, his desired landing spots don’t appear to be in the cards. Young’s camp has suggested the Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves to the Hawks’ brass as […]

Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr.’s All-Star case continues to gain momentum ahead of this year’s festivities. Porter Jr. jumped from 10th to ninth in the second return of the All-Star fan voting results. Michael Porter Jr. moves up to 9th in the second round of All-Star fan voting. pic.twitter.com/011rCq53f0 — Erik Slater (@erikslater_) January […]

Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe made a strong case for an expanded role during his first extended opportunity of the season. With Nic Claxton sidelined for the last two games due to personal reasons, Sharpe showcased his potential in a starting role. The fifth-year center averaged 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals and […]

Michael Porter Jr. had superstar expectations for himself when he entered the NBA. While he never reached those heights during his injury-riddled Denver Nuggets tenure, he’s making up for lost time with the Brooklyn Nets. Porter Jr. has planted himself firmly in the All-Star conversation amid a breakout season as Brooklyn’s No. 1 option. After […]

Michael Porter Jr. is spreading his wings as an NBA centerpiece. Following years in a complementary role with the Denver Nuggets, Porter Jr. has emerged as an All-Star candidate following his trade to the Brooklyn Nets. Despite this, Nuggets head coach David Adelman has no regrets about how the team used the forward during his […]

Following a failed contract negotiation with the Brooklyn Nets last summer, Cam Thomas is searching for a long-term NBA home. The 24-year-old is headed for unrestricted free agency and faces an uncertain future with the Brooklyn Nets. Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant implored an NBA team to build around his polarizing former teammate. “I feel […]

The Brooklyn Nets will be severely shorthanded on Friday against the Washington Wizards in a game with significant tank implications. Michael Porter Jr. will be sidelined for his second consecutive game after missing Thursday’s 120-96 loss to the Houston Rockets with an illness. The Nets also ruled Nic Claxton (personal reasons) and Cam Thomas (left […]

The Brooklyn Nets will be shorthanded when they host the Houston Rockets on Thursday. Egor Demin was ruled out for the matchup, the first of a back-to-back, due to lower back soreness. Thursday’s game will mark Demin’s third absence of the season. The rookie point guard also sat out a pair of back-to-backs earlier in […]

The Brooklyn Nets’ front office was lambasted following a historic 2025 draft. Fast forward six months, and the team is in the midst of the NBA’s most dramatic turnaround, with several rookies playing critical roles. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is among those taking notice of the Nets’ promising early draft returns. “It looks like […]

Draymond Green has had numerous battles with Michael Porter Jr. over the years. However, Monday’s Golden State Warriors-Brooklyn Nets matchup had a different feel. Following his trade from the Denver Nuggets, Porter Jr. has excelled while making the jump to a lead offensive role with the rebuilding Nets. Green is the latest NBA star to […]

The Brooklyn Nets have pulled off the NBA’s most shocking turnaround early this season. A defensive resurgence has been at the center of their success. After posting a league-worst 128.5 defense rating during a 0-7 start, the Nets hold the NBA’s best defensive rating (105.4) in December while posting a 7-4 record. After Cam Thomas […]

Brooklyn Nets superfan Mr. Whammy has been taunting opposing free-throw shooters for decades. He received some pushback from one of the NBA’s most fiery trash-talkers during the Nets’ 120-107 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Monday. Draymond Green had words for Mr. Whammy after making a free throw during the third quarter. “I told […]

It’s been three years since the Brooklyn Nets have had an All-Star. Michael Porter Jr. is threatening to end that drought amid a breakout start following his trade from the Denver Nuggets. Porter Jr, who has never made an All-Star team, ranked 10th in the Eastern Conference in the first round of this year’s fan […]

The Brooklyn Nets faced the toughest test of their recent hot streak on Saturday. They passed with flying colors, dominating the Minnesota Timberwolves, 123-107, before a sellout crowd at Target Center. The win marked Brooklyn’s seventh in its last 10 games. While many teams have taken the supposedly tanking Nets lightly during that stretch, Anthony […]

The Brooklyn Nets filled their last open two-way spot on Friday, signing rookie Chaney Johnson. A 6-foot-7 wing, Johnson spent his first three college seasons at Division 2 Alabama Huntsville before transferring to Auburn for the last two seasons. During his two seasons with the Tigers, Johnson helped lead them to the 2024 SEC Tournament […]