Erik Slater Articles - Page 5

A consistent theme emerged from the Brooklyn Nets’ 2025 NBA Draft. Aside from the historic volume of picks, the team targeted ball-handlers known for their playmaking ability. The Nets’ lone deviation from that philosophy came at the No. 22 pick, where they selected North Carolina wing Drake Powell. Powell has arguably the best athletic profile […]

The Brooklyn Nets are facing a roster crunch after making an NBA-record five first-round picks in the 2025 NBA draft. They took their first step towards addressing it on Friday, waiving forward Maxwell Lewis. Lewis, the 40th pick in the 2023 draft, was on a non-guaranteed contract after joining the team alongside D’Angelo Russell in […]

After selecting Egor Demin with the No. 8 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Brooklyn Nets took a swing on another point guard. Sean Marks and co. took French floor general Nolan Traore with the No. 19 pick. Traore was widely considered a top-five prospect in the class at this time last year. However, […]

The Brooklyn Nets aren’t done adding to their roster after making an NBA-record five first-round picks in the 2025 NBA draft. After going undrafted, Alabama big man Grant Nelson is signing a contract with Brooklyn and will compete for a two-way contract in training camp, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. Nelson was the No. 62 […]

The 2025 NBA Draft was among the most anticipated in Brooklyn Nets history. Much of the excitement surrounding the day was tied to the team’s first lottery pick in 15 years. The Nets shocked the draft community, selecting BYU point guard Egor Demin at No. 8. General manager Sean Marks revealed what led Brooklyn to […]

Many NBA scouts, executives and analysts believed the Brooklyn Nets would be the biggest movers during Wednesday’s NBA draft. Armed with five first-round picks (Nos. 8, 19, 22, 26, 27), general manager Sean Marks had the assets to make a trade up the board. Instead, the Nets stood pat, becoming the first team in draft […]

The Brooklyn Nets were the first major surprise of the 2025 NBA Draft, selecting BYU point guard Egor Demin with the No. 8 pick. A 19-year-old floor general from Moscow, Russia, Demin represents the franchise’s first lottery pick since 2010. At 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Demin boasts incredible size for a lead ball-handler. The […]

Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving made headlines on Tuesday, declining his player option and signing a three-year, $119 million extension. The deal not only locks in the Mavericks’ star long-term, but it could also pave the way for the team to make a run at free agent point guard D’Angelo Russell, according to Marc […]

The Brooklyn Nets will have no shortage of opportunities to find future contributors in Wednesday’s NBA Draft. Following Tuesday’s trade with the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics, the rebuilding squad has five first-round selections (Nos. 8, 19, 22, 26, 27). Michigan center Danny Wolf is among the center prospects Brooklyn could target. The Nets hosted […]

The Brooklyn Nets are eyeing a move up the board in Wednesday’s NBA Draft. Armed with five first-round picks (Nos. 8, 19, 22, 26, 27), the team has inquired with several teams in the top five — including the San Antonio Spurs (No. 2), Philadelphia 76ers (No. 3) and Charlotte Hornets (No. 4) — about […]

French phenom Noa Essengue will be among the Toronto Raptors’ top realistic options with the No. 9 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. On Tuesday, ClutchPoints asked the projected lottery pick which NBA players he models his game after. “I’d say guys like Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, Kawhi [Leonard]. They can really do everything on […]

The Brooklyn Nets joined the NBA’s trade frenzy on Tuesday, acquiring Terance Mann and the No. 22 pick in a three-team trade with the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics. Mann, who grew up in Brooklyn before moving to Massachusetts at the age of 10, reacted to the deal in real-time. “I was born in Brooklyn […]

Much of the focus on the Brooklyn Nets’ 2025 NBA Draft has centered on the No. 8 pick. However, the team has three other first-round picks (19, 26, 27) in a class featuring several enticing mid-round prospects. Cedric Coward is among the players general manager Sean Marks is eyeing after his first selection. The Washington […]

One of the Brooklyn Nets’ potential international NBA draft targets will be at Barclays Center for Wednesday’s festivities. Noa Essengue will miss the remainder of the German league finals to attend the draft in Brooklyn, according to BasketNews’ Donatas Urbonas. The 18-year-old French forward has had a productive season for Ratiopharm Ulm in the BBL, […]

Former Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant was back in New York City this weekend, appearing at the Fanatics Fest. Naturally, the 15-time All-Star, who chose the Nets over the New York Knicks in free agency in 2019, received some jeers. One Knicks fan yelled that Durant wished he had joined the Knicks. However, Durant quickly […]

The 2025 NBA Draft is less than three days away. This year’s class has the potential to make history in numerous areas. Among those is the number of freshmen selected in the top 10. The first eight picks in ESPN’s latest mock draft are projected to be freshmen: Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, Kon […]

The Brooklyn Nets will be among the busiest teams in this year’s NBA Draft. With picks Nos. 8, 19, 26, 27 and 36, the rebuilding squad will be in play to select prospects at every juncture. That wide range has led them to bring in the majority of the draft’s prospects for workouts, according to […]

The Brooklyn Nets are uniquely positioned in this year’s NBA draft. With five selections in the top 36 (8, 19, 26, 27, 36) and in the early stages of a rebuild, the team can offer prospects immediate playing time in the league’s top market. Those factors have reportedly led Ace Bailey to pinpoint the Nets […]

With the Oklahoma City Thunder crowned as the 2024-25 NBA champion on Sunday, the offseason is officially underway. Among the first order of business for the Brooklyn Nets and other teams will be deciding the fates of their free agents. NBA teams will have an exclusive negotiating period with their free agents starting Monday morning […]

Cam Thomas’ future will be among the Brooklyn Nets’ top storylines this offseason. Ahead of the first free agency of his career, the 23-year-old reaffirmed his desire to remain with Brooklyn. “I definitely, definitely want to be back in Brooklyn. It’s definitely home for me. Being drafted there you definitely build bonds with a lot […]

Brooklyn Nets fans entered this season with dreams of securing a top-three draft pick. Rutgers’ Ace Bailey was among the prospects they had their sights set on. While the Nets’ fall to the No. 8 pick appeared to crush any hopes of landing the star forward, he may not be out of their reach after […]

The Brooklyn Nets will have no shortage of directions they can take with the No. 8 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Noa Essengue has been linked to the rebuilding squad amid a recent surge up draft boards. The French Phenom received a green room invite to attend the draft at Barclays Center, according to […]

The Kevin Durant sweepstakes are heating up as the NBA draft approaches. With the Phoenix Suns determined to find a trade for the 15-time All-Star, the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat have emerged as the frontrunners, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. “At this point in these conversations, you’re looking at a piece [or] two away […]

The Brooklyn Nets are investing in youth basketball in their local community. This fall, BSE Global, parent company of the Nets and New York Liberty, will open a multi-court youth basketball training facility opposite Barclays Center on Flatbush Avenue. “I have personally witnessed the way the game of basketball enriches the lives of young people […]

Kon Kneuppel’s limited athleticism has been a frequent criticism regarding his ceiling as a top-10 NBA draft pick. The Duke forward did not test at the Draft Combine last month due to an ankle injury. However, he has since completed the required pre-draft testing, and the numbers are sure to turn heads. Kneuppel posted a […]

The Brooklyn Nets’ descent from title favorite to basement dweller has been yet another gut punch for a downtrodden fan base. However, the next calendar year will present a unique opportunity for the organization. Think about the most popular and successful franchises in the NBA: the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Golden State […]

Much of the conversation surrounding the Boston Celtics this offseason has centered on their need to cut salary. With a new ownership group taking over and Jayson Tatum sidelined for possibly the entire 2025-26 season, there’s little reason for them to remain in the second apron, which imposes harsh penalties. Despite this, Boston isn’t operating […]

The Brooklyn Nets’ trade sending Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns set them up for a promising future. Two years later, they could benefit from yet another Durant trade sweepstakes. With Giannis Antetokounmpo seemingly content to remain with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Durant trade is the most significant offseason domino waiting to fall. ESPN’s Shams […]

Much of the conversation surrounding the NBA offseason has centered on one question: Will the Milwaukee Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo? Several teams have crafted their summer plans in anticipation of the two-time MVP hitting the market. However, they may be forced to look elsewhere for their star acquisition. Up to this point, Antetokounmpo has not […]

Former Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Smith Jr. is attempting an NBA comeback. Smith Jr. worked out for the Philadelphia 76ers during a two-day veteran minicamp this week, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The seven-year NBA veteran is also scheduled to work out for his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, according to multiple […]

With the 2024-25 NBA season nearing its close, a new hierarchy is emerging amongst the league’s players. The Ringer released its updated top 100 players list on Thursday. Only one member of the Brooklyn Nets made the cut, with Cam Johnson coming in at No. 75. “Older NBA prospects—like Cam Johnson, who was 23 years […]

With the 2025 NBA Draft less than three weeks away, there is little consensus among big boards and projections beyond the first few picks. As has been the case throughout Sean Marks’ tenure, the Brooklyn Nets have kept their cards close to their vest. The No. 8 pick is the team’s first lottery selection since […]

Finding a starting-caliber center to pair with Luka Doncic will be the Los Angeles Lakers’ top priority this summer. After trading Anthony Davis, Rob Pelinka’s squad was left with a gaping hole at the position during the second half of the season. Despite this, the Lakers aren’t expected to include Austin Reaves, their top trade […]

The Brooklyn Nets are interested in acquiring a second lottery pick in this month’s NBA draft. Already in possession of No. 8, the team is exploring a trade that would send Cam Johnson and No. 19 to the Toronto Raptors for No. 9 or the Houston Rockets for No. 10, according to NetsDaily. The Nets […]

The Brooklyn Nets will get a closer look at the draft’s top international draft prospects on Wednesday. The NBA will hold pre-draft workouts in Treviso, Italy for players who were invited to the Chicago draft combine but excused from attending because they were playing with an overseas team. Noa Essengue, Joan Beringer, Nolan Traoré, Hugo […]

The Brooklyn Nets are preparing for a busy offseason as they continue their rebuild. Re-signing leading scorer Cam Thomas will be among the team’s top orders of business. ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks offered a loose prediction for Thomas’ next contract and explained why Brooklyn will hold significant leverage in negotiations. “What is his […]

A former top Brooklyn Nets assistant is close to getting his first NBA head-coaching position. Jordan Ott is one of two finalists for the Phoenix Suns’ vacancy, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Cleveland Cavaliers associate coach Johnnie Bryant joins him in the race for the job. Ott spent the bulk of his coaching career on the Nets’ […]

The Brooklyn Nets can go several directions with their first selection in next month’s draft. Their fall to the No. 8 pick put several household college names, such as Jeremiah Fears, Tre Johnson, Kon Kneuppel and Khaman Maluach, within their range. However, French phenom Noa Essengue is creeping into the conversation as he continues to […]

The Brooklyn Nets are getting an up-close look at one of the top shooters in the draft. Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier will visit the team for a predraft workout on Thursday, sources told ClutchPoints. Following an outstanding season with the Volunteers, Lanier is ranked 42nd on ESPN’s Top 100 big board. The 23-year-old could be […]