Facebook Twitter Instagram
718 426 7200
Facebook Twitter Instagram

Brooklyn Finally Breaks Through at Barclays

BQE Admin on December 4, 2025

Emphatic slams punctuate Nets win vs Hornets

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

In their 10th attempt, the Brooklyn Nets were finally able to emerge victorious on their home court in the 2025-26 season. Highlighted by a series of delectable dunks, Brooklyn were able to dispatch the Charlotte Hornets for a 116-103 win on the first night of December. It was their first win on home turf since early April.

Egor Dëmin, Danny Wolf, and Noah Clowney all threw down big dunks to the delight of the bench and local crowd. Egor’s came in transition while Wolf and Clowney both threw down contested slams.

Leading the Brooklyn offense once again was Michael Porter Jr., who recorded his 6th game with 30+ points in his first 17 games as a Net. He hit a season high 7 three-pointers, tied for the second most in his career. Porter Jr. has truly stepped into his new role as primary scorer for the Nets, and he credits Head Coach Jordi Fernandez for helping him elevate his play.

“I think Jordi is a genius of a coach in terms of the schemes he puts out, especially offensively for me” Porter said postgame about his coach. “The different creative ways that Jordi has our team running plays to help me get touches and looks off is really next level. He’s making it so easy for me to play my game.”

Notably, some of the Nets’ best performances have come in the absence of Cam Thomas, currently nursing a hamstring injury. The offense has looked more fluid and potent even without his incredible scoring touch, and the Nets rookies have taken advantage of increased minutes.

Thomas is set to get a MRI at the end of the week, with updates on his return to play coming shortly after. With Brooklyn playing better ball and confidence starting to take hold after a lethargic start to the campaign, perhaps Cam’s return could be the catalyst for continued success. 

Of course, the Nets won’t be in a rush to get Cam back, as his hamstring is the same one injured multiple times last season, holding him to just 25 games played. Whether a contributor on the floor or an asset for a trade, Brooklyn needs Thomas back long term.

Brooklyn Basketball Training Center Opens Doors Downtown

BQE Admin on October 2, 2025

The Brooklyn Basketball Training Center is equipped with top-tier tools to help NYC kids perfect their skills! (Photos: BSE Global)

Liberty stars, Nets youngsters join Joe and Clara Wu Tsai for ribbon-cutting ceremony

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

On Thursday afternoon, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment (BSE), the Brooklyn Nets, and the New York Liberty held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center. Located just across the street from the Barclays Center, the new state-of-the-art facility will be home to youth clinics, training camps, and an array of local programming to help build the next generation of Brooklyn basketball players.

Brooklyn Basketball, the flagship youth basketball program affiliated with both the Nets and Liberty, has spent a few years building a deeper connection with the local community. Now with the help of the brand new facility they will be able to take their relationship to the next level.

“This isn’t just a building, it’s a bold step in how we empower youth through sports,” said Nets CEO and alternate governor Sam Zussman in his opening statements. “This center is a place where fundamentals, teamwork, discipline, and mental toughness meet innovation, where expert coaching meets cutting edge technology, and where every kid who walks through these doors knows they’re seen, supported, and celebrated.”

“The greatest thing about this place is that it’s not just about the hoops, it’s the people who are going to be in here and the community we’re going to be giving back to,” added Nets General Manager Sean Marks.

Liberty stars Breanna Stewart, Natasha Cloud, and Isabelle Harrison were some of the first to test out the new technology, taking each other on in a passing minigame ahead of the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Liberty stars Breanna Stewart and Natasha Cloud tested out a passing minigame

“Having this facility will show them how to reach [WNBA and NBA] goals. With all the technology and coaches involved in this, I think it’s going to be something everyone wants to be a part of,” said Stewart. “I hope I can come out here to work out if I need to,” she added with a laugh.

From left to right: Clara Wu Tsai, Breanna Stewart, Natasha Cloud, Isabelle Harrison, and Joe Tsai

Also joining Liberty players on stage to cut the ribbon was Nets forward Jalen Wilson and 2025 draft picks Nolan Traore and Drake Powell. After the speeches and ceremony, the NBA and WNBA players headed over to the hardwood to help out with the center’s first ever basketball clinic.

Nets 3rd year wing Jalen Wilson helps a kid with his jump shot at the first ever Brooklyn Basketball Training Center clinic

Wilson helped with jump shot form while others collected rebounds for a group of excited youngsters. It’s the first of many events to come, and with the Barclays Center just a few hundred feet away, Nets and Liberty players are sure to be a mainstay at the center.

Nets and Cam Thomas at Standstill Over New Contract

BQE Admin on August 12, 2025

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

The dust has largely settled across the NBA, but one big question still looms for the Brooklyn Nets. Young starlet Cam Thomas is due for his next contract, but a difference in valuation has led to a standstill.

The 23-year-old is reportedly seeking a deal worth well over $30M, hoping to outearn players like Immanuel Quickley, Jalen Green, and Tyler Herro. A lack of landing spots make a deal that large doubtful this offseason, as Thomas is increasingly likely to take the qualifying offer and seek a long-term deal as an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season.

Thomas remains one of the best pure scorers from the 2021 draft, where he was selected with the 27th pick. Back in 2023-24, Thomas set a NBA record with three consecutive 40-point games before the age of 22. In November against the Knicks, he dropped 43 points at The Garden. It was his 9th career 40-point showing, a hallmark of his young career. 

His immense scoring ability has made him a fascinating player despite shortcomings on defense and ball movement. Despite injuries cutting his last season short, Thomas set career highs in points, assists, and rebounds per game.

If the Nets look beyond Thomas, there are a number of interesting Free Agents who could land in King’s County. Among them are former Thunder and Bulls guard Josh Giddey and Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, both drafted before Thomas in 2021.

Chicago and Golden State can’t match a contract offer in ranges either player is seeking, as Brooklyn is the only team in the league capable of offering a $30M deal to the restricted Free Agents.

Brooklyn holds the most cap space in the NBA entering the 2025-26 season, and are poised to lead the league again in 2026-27. Regardless how the offseason ends, it should be an interesting season in Brooklyn as the Nets continue to rebuild.

Nets Set NBA Record With Five First Round Picks

webadmin on July 3, 2025

Cam Johnson traded to Denver for 2032 pick

Noah Zimmerman | noah@queensledger.com

The Brooklyn Nets held onto all five of their first round draft picks in last week’s 2025 NBA Draft, setting a league record at the Barclays Center on Wednesday. Their top pick was BYU playmaker Egor Demin at #8, followed by French guard Nolan Traore, UNC wing Drake Powell, Israeli guard Ben Saraf, and Michigan big man Danny Wolf.

General Manager Sean Marks and Head Coach Jordi Fernandez have made their vision clear. They want a fast-flowing offense with playmakers who can slot into different positions and set up scorers. 

While they may have been hoping for Ace Bailey or Jeremiah Fears to drop to the 8th pick, Brooklyn seems quite pleased with their selection of Demin. His size and passing ability made him one of the top playmakers of the draft class, and although players like Khaman Maluach, Noa Essengue, and Derek Queen were available, Brooklyn stuck with their gut.

Brooklyn followed up their pick with the selection of Nolan Traore, another foreign-born, playmaking guard. With Saraf and Wolf also prominent playmakers, many wonder if these selections could be a bit redundant.

Only Drake Powell breaks Brooklyn’s 1st round mold, with North Carolina standout bringing athleticism and “3&D” potential at the #22 pick. In addition, Brooklyn added Alabama big Grant Nelson to a training camp deal to compete for a two-way contract.

With the start of the NBA offseason, the Nets also made a few big moves. On Monday Brooklyn dealt top trade asset Cameron Johnson to the Denver Nuggets for a 2032 unprotected first rounder and sharpshooter Michael Porter Jr. The move lands a valuable future pick and a young star scorer while giving Johnson a chance to contend for a ring with three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Former Net Bruce Brown previously won a championship with Jokic and Denver in 2023.

Brooklyn also retained wing Ziaire Williams and center Day’ron Sharpe on two-year deals. Both provided valuable depth despite a difficult season and will return as the Nets continue crafting their team for the future. Young guard Cam Thomas was also extended a qualifying offer, with Brooklyn hoping to bring him back on a miulti-year deal.



Brutal Lottery for Brooklyn as Nets fall to 8th

BQE Admin on May 14, 2025

Mavs climb 10 spots, earn rights to Cooper Flagg

By Noah Zimmerman

Noah@queensledger.com

It was a rough NBA Draft Lottery for the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, as they fell to the 8th overall pick. After holding the 6th worst record in the league, Brooklyn wasnít rewarded for a lackluster season that is best described as tank-adjacent.

To add insult to injury, the Nets will be selecting behind the Philadelphia 76ers, who were unpunished despite their blatant descent into the draft lottery.

Philly is guaranteed a chance for one of Cooper Flagg,  Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, or Ace Bailey, the consensus top four in the class.

The outright winners of the lottery were surprising. Aside from the 76ers, the only other teams to move up in the lottery were the San Antonio Spurs (+6 spots) and the Dallas Mavericks (+10).

Conspiracy theorists can rejoice with Dallas landing the top overall pick, as they are just a few months removed from arguably the worst trade in NBA history. After moving Luka Doncic to the Lakers, the Mavs set a record for the highest jump in the lottery and can replace him with Flagg, the Duke standout.

Brooklyn will still be able to select plenty of talent, as they hold four first round picks (#8, #19, #26, and #27). Plenty of teams will also be calling, looking to offload albatross contracts in exchange for more picks and prospects.

For next season, the question turns back to the tank. The last two lottery winners finished with the 10th and 11th worst records, so is it wise for the Nets to hunt a top pick in 2026 even after recent lottery trends?

NBA DRAFT LOTTERY RESULTS

  1. Dallas Mavericks (+10 from 11)
  2. San Antonio Spurs (+6 from 8)
  3. Philadelphia 76ers (+2 from 5)
  4. Charlotte Hornets (-1 from 3)
  5. Utah Jazz (-4 from 1)
  6. Washington Wizards (-4 from 2)
  7. New Orleans Pelicans (-3 from 4)
  8. Brooklyn Nets (-2 from 6)
  9. Toronto Raptors (-2 from 7)
  10. Houston Rockets (-1 from 9)
  11. Portland Trail Blazers (-1 from 10)
  12. Chicago Bulls
  13. Atlanta Hawks
  14. San Antonio Spurs

Luka to Lakers Shocks NBA ahead of trade deadline

BQE Admin on February 4, 2025

What would it have taken a team like Brooklyn to pry the 25-year-old superstar from Dallas?

By Noah Zimmerman

The Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Even after a handful of days there is little sense to be made of the blockbuster trade that shook the NBA and sports world to its core late Saturday night.

Los Angeles also received Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris in the deal. Alongside Davis, the Lakers sent Max Christie and a first round pick to Dallas, as well as Jalen Hood-Schiffino to the Utah Jazz. 

Following the trade, a dejected Mavs team was forced to take the floor against the Cleveland Cavaliers, one of the best teams in the league. The Cavs scored 50 points in the first quarter en route to a 144-101 trouncing, a foreboding sign for the future in Dallas.

Despite bringing Anthony Davis to Texas, the Mavs departure from their franchise player confused fans and risks going down as one of the worst trades in sports history. Only time will tell if this deal damages the Mavs as much as Billy Kingís trade for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce crippled the Nets.

To defend his move, Mavs GM Nico Harrison echoed a well known sentiment that defense wins championships. There were many concerns with Dallas regarding Luka’s apathy on the defensive side of the court, as well as his conditioning and injury issues. With Luka due for a max contract extension at the end of the year, Harrison decided it was too risky to pay up.

As a result, Dončić is no longer eligible for the $346M/5-year contract Dallas could have given him. The most he can receive from LA is $229M/5-years.

Another young superstar, Minnesota’s Anothony Edwards had trouble making sense of the deal. “At 25 they traded, probably the best scorer in the NBA,” the 23-year-old guard lamented. “He just went to the finals.”

“I still feel like there is something, some facts that are going to come out over time,” said Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. “I can’t really comprehend how that makes sense to be honest.”

What would it have taken other teams to land a player as coveted as Dončić? It’s clear that the Mavericks’ priority was to land a dominant two-way center in Davis, but it’s hard to see any long-term benefit with their new center turning 32 in March. Their inability to fetch more than one first round draft pick is baffling considering the modern trade market.

Other centers like Rudy Gobert netted four first round picks on the trade market. The Nets were able to fetch five first round picks from the Knicks in exchange for Mikal Bridges. 

Brooklyn was able to transform their return for a 34-year-old Kevin Durant into 9 first round picks, two first round pick swaps, a handful of second rounders, Cam Johnson, and Zaire Williams. Dallas turned a 25-year-old Dončić into Davis, Christie, and a single 2029 draft pick.

For a rebuilding team like the Brooklyn Nets, young centers and draft stock were aplenty. Surely if Harrison had shopped Luka around the league he could have netted a haul of picks from the Nets alongside younger centers with upside like Nic Claxton or Dayíron Sharpe.

Regardless, whatís done is done. The NBA has been forever changed by the arrival of Luka in LA. With the trade deadline on Thursday afternoon, teams will finish making tweaks to their rosters while carefully eyeing the future.

“I thought I was gonna stay my whole career there. Loyalty is a big word for me,” said Dončić in his Lakers press conference. “But I got the ocean here. I get to play for the Lakers. Not many get to say that.”

Luka also expressed his love and admiration for the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. After landing in LA he made sure to mention Bryant and his daughter Gigi, who tragically passed in 2020.

Dončić is nursing a calf injury that has sidelined him since December. He is currently slated to make his Lakers debut this Weekend as LA plays two games against the Jazz ahead of the All-Star Break.

Nets Retire Carter’s #15, Former teammates, coaches, execs gather for halftime ceremony at Barclays Center

BQE Admin on January 28, 2025

For years in New Jersey, Nets fans watched #15 hang on the rim, throwing down emphatic dunks and catching lobs from fellow Hall of Famer Jason Kidd.

For the rest of Nets history, fans will see #15 hanging from the rafters at the Barclays Center, alongside Kidd’s #5 and other legendary numbers from the team’s nearly 60-year history.

Jason Kidd’s #5, Drazen Petrovic’s #3, John Williamson’s #23, Bill Melchionni’s #25, Julius Erving’s #32, Buck Williams’ #52… and now Vince Carter’s #15

Carter’s trade to the Nets in 2004 was one that transformed the franchise. Paired with Kidd’s brilliant court vision and young star Richard Jefferson’s explosiveness, Carter elevated the Nets into must-watch basketball just a few years removed from their back-to-back trips to the NBA Finals.

Even for a hefty return package including Alonso Mourning and multiple first round picks, the fact that the high-flying superstar had landed in Jersey was shocking to fans both local and around the country.

In his five seasons in NJ Carter averaged 23.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, his best for any team in his storied 22-year career. Carter was a true swiss army knife equipped with devastating hops and a lethal distance shot. Once familiarized with Kidd’s trust, he was catching any ball the star point guard threw near the rim.

It wasn’t just his skill that made Carter such a special Net, and in his opening remarks at the retirement ceremony, broadcaster Ian Eagle was sure to note how much love was in the building.

In attendance were fellow Nets retirees Julius Erving, head coach Lawrence Frank, and executives like Bobby Marks and Rod Thorn. Some teammates like Nedad Kristic and Jason Collins also gave video speeches, as well as other NY legends like Mets captain David Wright.

On the court, the Nets were unable to match the tenacity of the Miami Heat despite a solid battle through three quarters. They fell 106-97, as they continued to close in on favorable positioning for the NBA Draft lottery. The tank continued with a 110-96 loss to Sacramento to cap the homestand.

Brooklyn will open up a pair of games with the Houston Rockets, playing them in Texas on Saturday before returning to the Barclays Center on Tuesday.

Jastremski: An Off-Broadway Flop

webadmin on July 6, 2022

Durant & Irving’s Nets

Three years ago, the Brooklyn Nets did the unthinkable.

They landed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and beat out the New York Knicks and the rest of the NBA in the process.

The minute the Durant/Irving partnership found its way to Brooklyn, the mandate was pretty simple.

Championship or bust.

Three years later, it’s a whole lot of bust for the Brooklyn Nets.

Last week, the Woj bomb dropped right before free agency. Kevin Durant wants out of Brooklyn and vocalized his desire for a trade.

The Nets all-in approach bombed in a rather epic fashion and they shouldn’t have regrets when it comes to taking the swing on both Durant and Irving.

It’s easy to second guess now, but every team in the NBA outside of Golden State at the time would have signed on the dotted line for the two superstars.

The Nets may have won out on Durant and Irving, but they also became the center of drama and dysfunction throughout the NBA.

The last three years have been a rollercoaster.

Where to begin.

There was all sorts of Kyrie Irving drama. Does he want to play basketball? Will he get the vaccine?

Kyrie dazzled at times on the court, but also missed a whole of time in the process.

The Nets were in the middle of James Harden drama. Last year they gave up a whole lot of assets to bring in the guard, a year later he quit on the team and had to be traded for Ben Simmons.

The same Ben Simmons that still has yet to play a game for the Brooklyn Nets.

Durant’s play on the court cannot be questioned. When he was on the floor suiting up for Brooklyn, he shined.

However, he failed to deliver in taking the franchise back to the promised land.

Injuries, dysfunction or not, it is comical that the Nets couldn’t find a way to an NBA Finals yet alone a Conference Finals with this collection of talent.

Kevin Durant left the Golden State Warriors with two Finals MVP trophies, but with a challenge in front of him.

Could Durant go and lead his own team to a title? Not a ready-made 73 win Golden State Warriors team.

Durant was unable to do so and decided after three years, enough is enough.

Kevin Durant got to pick his head coach. the players and got the chance to sit out a full season.

It wasn’t good enough for him.

Durant’s legacy as an all-time great player is established. There’s no knocking what he has brought to the floor for over fifteen years in the league.

However, when it comes to his tenure in Brooklyn, it’s a whole lot of unfulfilled promises.

Durant is under contract for the next 4 years, I’m not rushing a trade by any means if I’m the Brooklyn Nets.

The Nets must do right by the organization, not the demands of a disgruntled superstar.

The future is very uncertain in Brooklyn, but the pairing of Durant and Irving will go down as one of the all time great NY flops.

Imagine two all time great actors taking their talents off Broadway, expecting a Tony and failing to come close to winning a Tony after calling every single shot.

I don’t know when DiCaprio and Jonah Hill are taking a play to Brooklyn, but I hope it has better success than the basketball version that we witnessed over the last three years…

You can listen to my podcast New York, New York every Monday, Wednesday & Friday on The Ringer Podcast Network on Spotify/Apple Podcasts. You can watch me nightly on Geico Sportsnight following Mets postgame on SNY.

Jastremski: First round flop for drama-filled Nets

webadmin on April 27, 2022

On Monday, the Nets chaotic and disappointing 2021-2022 season came to a close with a major thud.

At the beginning of the year, the Nets were title favorites.

There was no possible way the Nets could be a 7 seed and get swept in the first round right?

Believe it.

In fact the Nets are the first preseason title favorite to be swept in the first round ever.

So, the preseason narrative would have suggested that there is no way the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets would be comparable teams.

After all, the Nets took down the Celtics in 5 games in the first round a season ago.

Well, the Nets and Celtics weren’t comparable teams this year.

The Celtics were flat out better.

The Celtics taking down Brooklyn shouldn’t surprise anyone who watched NBA Basketball over the last four months.

The Celtics played as a team, got better as the season went along and looked like a group that had cohesion and unity.

The Nets featured none of those qualities.

It’s tough to have cohesion when the so called “Big 3” of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden is broken up midseason.

It’s tough to have top notch team chemistry when Kyrie Irving missed almost all of your home games because of the vaccine mandate.

Plus the kicker, Ben Simmons the headliner in the midseason Harden blockbuster didn’t find his way into one Nets game this season.

You lay out that adversity plus the injury to sharp shooter Joe Harris and it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Nets fell well short of their championship or bust goal.

The reality for the Nets franchise is simple going into this summer, the past three years haven’t been good enough.

If I told a Nets fan after the Durant/Irving signings in the summer of 2020 that their team wouldn’t have seen a title, an NBA Finals appearance or a Conference Final three years later, they wouldn’t have believed me.

The franchise and their two best players Durant and Irving have fallen short of very lofty expectations.

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were outplayed by Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart in this series.

How was Brooklyn supposed to have a chance against this dangerous Celtics team when it’s two star players weren’t leading the way.

The Nets window is not fully closed, but it’s closing fast.

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are not getting any younger.

Who knows what Ben Simmons will add if anything to the Nets next season?

Can Steve Nash lead the team as a championship caliber coach, for my money the jury is very much still out on that.

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving can still write a happily ever after ending to this story, but they better start re-writing the script now.

Three years in, Nets fans haven’t gotten enough bang for their buck.

You can listen to my podcast New York, New York every Sunday & Thursday plus my picks on The Ringer Gambling Show every Tuesday & Friday on The Ringer Podcast Network on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. You can also watch me nightly on SNY’s Geico Sportsnight.

New York, New York: Put Up Or Shut Up For Rollercoaster Nets

webadmin on April 13, 2022

Did anybody place a wager on the Brooklyn Nets to be participating in the NBA Play In Round at the beginning of the season?

If you did, you’re a genius and you would’ve been on an island all by yourself.

The Brooklyn Nets entered the season as one of the title favorites according to Vegas and NBA pundits.

After all, the only thing that derailed the team a season ago was injuries to Kyrie Irving and James Harden, right?

Well, the 2021-22 team has had plenty of adversity to deal with, not just injuries.

Drama has been the MO of this franchise over the last three seasons. It’s always something for this Brooklyn crew.

This year, the black cloud hovering over the franchise from game 1 was the vaccination status of Kyrie Irving.

As we know, Kyrie didn’t get the COVID vaccine, missed a good chunk of the season and only recently started playing in home games at the Barclays Center.

Irving’s vaccination status put the Nets in a very tough predicament.

It’s tough to win in the NBA without your best players and the Nets played plenty of games without Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

In addition, they were forced to trade James Harden in late January because he was tired of being a Net. Why exactly? Who knows, but the big 3 from a season ago was down to 2.

To Durant and Irving’s credit, when they have been on the floor together, they’ve been spectacular to watch.

Durant is the best player in the league and Kyrie is probably in the top 15.

With those two on your roster, you are going to have a chance in any playoff series that you play.

After all, there’s a reason why the odds makers have the Nets listed as the third favorite to win the NBA title. That’s pretty remarkable considering they’re a part of the Play In Tournament.

The odds makers believe a team with Durant and Irving is dangerous and can beat anyone.

That is true, what’s also true is that the Nets roster as a team hasn’t come close to forming the same sort of chemistry and unison that you will see from some of the other contenders within the Eastern Conference.

After all, the Nets are discussing the idea of Ben Simmons playing a role in the postseason! The same Ben Simmons who has yet to appear in a game so far this year.

Despite their talent, I am skeptical that a team that developed very little chemistry throughout the regular season is just going to be able to turn it on to go and win an NBA title.

Go prove it.

It’s all in front of the Brooklyn Nets. Will this rollercoaster season end with a trip to the finals that was predicted by many at the start of the season?

Or will it be a script of a talented cast that just is not meant to be champions together…

This is a plot too Hollywood for Brooklyn.

You can listen to my podcast New York, New York every Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday on the Ringer Podcast Network on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. You can also watch me nightly Sun/Thurs on Geico Sportsnight at 11 PM on SNY.

Fill the Form for Events, Advertisement or Business Listing