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The Brooklyn Nets are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Nets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at Barclays Center. They are one of two NBA teams located in New York City, the other being the New York Knicks.

Key Information

The club was established in 1967 as a charter franchise of the NBA's rival league, the American Basketball Association (ABA). They played in New Jersey as the New Jersey Americans during their first season, before relocating to Long Island, New York, in 1968 and changing their name to the New York Nets. During this time, the Nets won two ABA championships (1974 and 1976), led by Hall of Famer Julius Erving. In 1976, the ABA merged with the NBA, and the Nets were absorbed into the NBA along with three other ABA teams (the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs), all of whom remain in the league to this day.

In 1977, the team returned to New Jersey and played as the New Jersey Nets from 1977 to 2012. Led by star point guard Jason Kidd, the Nets reached the NBA Finals in two consecutive NBA seasons (2001–02 and 2002–03), but failed to win a championship.[11] In the summer of 2012, the team moved to Barclays Center in Brooklyn,[12] becoming the first major sports franchise in the borough since the departure of the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team in 1957.[13] Since moving to Brooklyn, the Nets have qualified for the playoffs on eight occasions, including trips to the conference semifinals in 2014 and 2021.

History

[edit]
Main article: History of the Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets were founded in 1967 and initially played in Teaneck, New Jersey, as the New Jersey Americans. In its early years, the team led a nomadic existence, moving to Long Island in 1968 and playing in various arenas there as the New York Nets.[14]

Led by Hall of Famer Julius "Dr. J" Erving, the Nets won two ABA championships in New York before becoming one of four ABA teams to be admitted into the NBA as part of the ABA–NBA merger in 1976. Unlike the other three ABA teams entering the NBA, who played in cities without any NBA presence, the Nets were required to pay an "invasion fee" of $4.8 million (equivalent to $27 million in 2024) to the New York Knicks.[15] The team was forced to finance that payment by selling Erving's contract to the Philadelphia 76ers;[16] and the Nets went from winning the last ABA title in 1975–76 to having the worst record in the NBA in 1976–77. The team then moved back to New Jersey in 1977 and became the New Jersey Nets.[17][18] During their time in the state, the Nets played in two consecutive NBA Finals in the 2001–02 and 2002–03 seasons, led on the court by point guard Jason Kidd.

After playing 35 seasons in New Jersey, the team moved back to the state of New York, changed its geographic name to Brooklyn, and began playing in the new Barclays Center, starting with the 2012–13 NBA season.[12][19] The team's move from New Jersey to Brooklyn was approved unanimously by the NBA Board of Governors on April 13, 2012.[20]

Rivalries

[edit]

Boston Celtics

[edit]

During the early 2000s, the Nets were led by Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin, while the Boston Celtics were experiencing newfound success behind Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker. The rivalry began to heat up in the conference finals of the 2002 playoffs, which was preceded by trash talking from the Celtics,[21] who claimed Martin was a "fake" tough guy. Things progressed as the series started, and on-court tensions seemed to spill into the stands. Celtic fans berated Kidd and his family with chants of "Wife Beater!"[22] in response to Kidd's 2001 domestic abuse charge. When the series returned to New Jersey, Nets fans responded, with some brandishing signs that read "Will someone please stab Paul Pierce?"[23] referring to a night club incident in 2000 in which Pierce was stabbed 11 times. When asked about the fan barbs being traded, Kenyon Martin stated, "Our fans hate them, their fans hate us." Bill Walton said at the time that Nets–Celtics was the "beginning of the next great NBA rivalry" during the conference finals. Led by Kidd, the Nets advanced to the NBA Finals, and the following year, swept Boston in the 2003 playoffs.

On November 28, 2012, there were indications that the rivalry might be rekindled when an altercation occurred on the court, resulting in the ejection of Rajon Rondo, Gerald Wallace, and Kris Humphries. Rondo was suspended for two games in the aftermath, while Wallace and Kevin Garnett were fined.[24] The story was revisited on December 25, when Wallace grabbed Garnett's shorts and the two had to be broken up by referees and players alike.

In the 2019 NBA off-season, the Nets signed point guard Kyrie Irving. Coming off two seasons with the Celtics, Irving was described as selfish by many critics. This impression caused many Celtics fans to blame him for the Celtics' inability to get through to the playoffs.

During a regular season game in the 2019–20 season between the Celtics and Nets, the Celtics' fans displayed their displeasure with Irving by chanting "Kyrie sucks" in TD Garden.[25] When the series returned to Brooklyn two days later, the Nets' fans chanted "Kyrie's better" in response to the chants in Boston.[26] The "Kyrie's Better" chants reference to how the Celtics signed Kemba Walker after Irving left for the Nets.

On May 30, 2021, after Kyrie Irving stomped on the Celtics center-court logo, a fan threw a water bottle at Irving at TD Garden following a Nets victory and a 3–1 lead in the series.[27]

New York Knicks

[edit]
Main article: Knicks–Nets rivalry

The Knicks–Nets rivalry has historically been a geographical one, with the Knicks playing in Madison Square Garden in the New York City borough of Manhattan, while the Nets played in the suburban area of Long Island and in New Jersey, and since 2012 have been playing at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Media outlets have noted the Knicks–Nets rivalry's similarity to those of other New York City teams, such as the Major League Baseball (MLB) historical Subway Series rivalry and the current rivalry between the American League (AL)'s New York Yankees and the National League (NL)'s New York Mets, and the National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the National Football Conference (NFC)'s New York Giants and the American Football Conference (AFC)'s New York Jets, the result of the boroughs' proximity through the New York City subway. Historically, the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn competed via the Dodgers–Giants rivalry, when the two teams were the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants. Like the Knicks and Nets, the Giants and Dodgers played in Manhattan and Brooklyn, respectively, and were fierce intraleague rivals.[28] The rivalry between the New York Islanders and New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL) took on a similar dimension while the Islanders inhabited the Barclays Center, from 2015 to 2021.[29] Due to the Knicks being located in Manhattan and the Nets being located in Brooklyn, some media outlets have dubbed this rivalry "Clash of the Boroughs".[30][31]

Toronto Raptors

[edit]

The rivalry with the Toronto Raptors began in the 2000s, specifically in 2004, after Raptors guard/forward Vince Carter was traded to the New Jersey Nets.[32][33] However, the two teams did not meet in the playoffs until 2007, when the Nets defeated the Raptors in the first round series, 4 games to 2, after a go-ahead shot by Richard Jefferson with 8 seconds left in Game 6 led to a 98–97 victory.[34] In 2014, the teams met again in the first round, and the series went to seven games, with a game-winning block by Paul Pierce, giving the Nets the 104–103 victory.[35] The series was noted for controversy when Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri made derogatory remarks towards Brooklyn at a fan rally outside Maple Leaf Square in Toronto before Game 1. Ujiri later apologized at halftime.[36] The Raptors and Nets faced each other in the 2020 NBA playoffs in the first round, with Toronto winning the series four games to none.[37]

Season-by-season record

[edit]

List of the last five seasons completed by the Nets. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Brooklyn Nets seasons.

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage

Season GP W L W–L% Finish Playoffs
2020–21 72 48 24 .667 2nd, Atlantic Lost in conference semifinals, 3–4 (Bucks)
2021–22 82 44 38 .537 4th, Atlantic Lost in first round, 0–4 (Celtics)
2022–23 82 45 37 .549 4th, Atlantic Lost in first round, 0–4 (76ers)
2023–24 82 32 50 .390 4th, Atlantic Did not qualify
2024–25 82 26 56 .317 4th, Atlantic Did not qualify

Uniforms

[edit]

New Jersey Americans

[edit]

Upon debuting in the ABA in 1967, the New Jersey Americans wore white and red uniforms. The white uniforms contained red, blue and white stripes, with the team name and numerals in red with blue trim. The red uniforms mirror the striping configurations of the white uniforms while the city name and numerals were in blue with white trim.[38]

New York Nets

[edit]

1968–1972

[edit]

Moving to Long Island as the New York Nets, they kept the original Americans template except for the location and team name. The white uniforms featured a script "Nets" lettering with a tail accent below, while the red uniforms featured "New York" in block letters (similar to the New York Knicks). Over the years, the letters and stripes would endure a few adjustments.[38]

1972–1977

[edit]

The Nets changed uniforms upon moving to Nassau Coliseum. The white uniforms featured a thick blue stripe with white stars on the left, along with a red stripe and white outline. The team name is written in red block letters. The blue uniforms, which featured "New York" in white block letters, mirrored that of the white uniforms.[38]

New Jersey Nets

[edit]

1977–1981; 1983–1990

[edit]
Buck Williams in the "Stars and Stripes" white uniform in the 1980s

The Nets carried the "Stars and Stripes" uniform to New Jersey in 1977. The white uniform remained the same but the blue uniform read "Nets" in front. The blue uniform later added "New Jersey" in white block letters inside the red stripe.[38]

1981–1983

[edit]

Upon moving to the Meadowlands in 1981, the Nets briefly changed their uniform set. The white uniform brought back the "Nets" script from the original New York Nets uniforms, but the color scheme became blue with red trim. The blue uniform featured "New Jersey" stacked together in a similar script style, and the letters were colored in red with white trim.[38]

1990–1997

[edit]
Dražen Petrović in the 1990 rebranded blue uniforms

The Nets underwent a visual rebrand before the 1990–91 season. The white uniform featured a more futuristic "Nets" script in red with white and blue trim, while adding red and blue stripes. Initially, the Nets wore white and light blue gradient road uniforms that had a tie-dye effect, but switched to a solid blue uniform after only one season. Both blue uniforms featured the same "Nets" script in red with blue and white trim along with red and white stripes.[38]

1997–2012

[edit]
Wordmark logo used on New Jersey Nets home uniforms from 1997 to 2012

The Nets updated their visual identity prior to the 1997–98 season, going with a deeper red and navy scheme with silver accents. The white uniform, which remained virtually unchanged throughout its history, featured the team name in navy with silver and red trim. The navy uniform featured the city name in silver with navy and red trim. The dark grey alternate uniform, used until 2006, initially went with the city name in navy with white and red trim, but reversed the color scheme to white with red and navy trim after only two seasons. This uniform was the only one to feature the "NJ" alternate logo on the neckline. The red alternate uniform, which replaced the grey alternate and became the primary dark uniform in 2009, featured the team name in white with navy and silver trim. All uniforms featured thick navy and silver argyle stripes.[38]

Brooklyn Nets

[edit]
The Brooklyn Nets' former primary logo, used from the club's first season in Brooklyn in 2012 until 2024.

2012–2017

[edit]

Upon moving to Brooklyn in 2012, the Nets went with a simple black and white uniform design, with "Brooklyn" in front of both the white and black uniforms. They also wore three different alternate uniforms. A grey-sleeved alternate with "Brooklyn" in Dodger blue, was first used in 2013 as a visual recall to the Brooklyn Dodgers. A white-sleeved alternate with the team name in black, featured the same "Stars and Stripes" look from the 1970s. A dark grey sleeveless alternate, meant to recall the 1980s New Jersey Nets uniforms, featured the team name in white and the city name in white written inside a black stripe.[38]

2017–present

[edit]

With the switch from Adidas to Nike, the Nets kept most aspects of their visual identity intact. The white uniform became the "Association" uniform while the black uniform became the "Icon" uniform. The Nets have had three different versions of the "Statement" uniform. The first set, with "BKLYN" in white, was in dark grey and featured the same stars and stripes look from the 1970s. The uniform was updated in 2019 to a lighter grey base and black/dark grey stripes, with "BKLYN" written in graffiti style designed by Eric Haze. In 2022, the Nets again changed its "Statement" uniform, this time with a black base, black letters with silver trim, and a subtle greyscale herringbone striping with three black stars on the left.[38]

James Harden in the 2020–21 "City" uniform

The Nets also employed a fourth uniform option: the "City" uniform. The 2017–18 black "City" uniform featured the full team name spelled in white along with grey accents inspired from the Brooklyn Bridge. The following season, it was replaced with a black uniform featuring stylized Brooklyn camo patterns as a tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. This uniform was later brought back for the 2025–26 season.[39] For 2019–20, the Nets wore white versions of the "Biggie" uniforms, but with Haze-designed "BED-STUY" graffiti lettering in front (a reference to Bedford–Stuyvesant where the Notorious B.I.G. grew up). The 2020–21 "City" uniform, which honors Brooklyn-born artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, is predominantly black and features "BKLYN NETS" written in Basquiat's style along with multi-colored striping.[38] The Basquiat-inspired "City" uniform returned in 2022–23 but in a white base.[40]

In the 2021–22 season, the Nets' "City" uniform featured visual references to the Nets' uniform history. The navy base and white and silver argyle stripes recalled the 1997–2009 uniforms. The "Nets" wordmark and lettering were taken from the 1990–97 uniforms. A red stripe with white stars honored the "Stars and Stripes" uniform of the 1970s and 1980s. A modified version of the 1980s New Jersey Nets logo, replacing the New Jersey outline with the map of Brooklyn, was added to the right leg. The 1997–2012 shield logo, also tweaked to feature the current "B" alternate logo, was added on the waist.[41]

The "City" uniform for the 2023–24 season featured a collaboration with Brooklyn-based artist Kaws. The predominantly dark grey design featured splashes of light grey, blue, turquoise and pink inspired by Kaws' "Tension" series. The stylized "Nets" wordmark was also influenced by Kaws' graphic style.[42] The design was slightly tweaked for the 2024–25 "City" uniform, this time with the color splashes relegated to the "Brooklyn" wordmark as part of an outer trim, with the base now featuring greyscale splashes.[43]

A fifth uniform option, the "Earned" uniform, is released occasionally and is exclusive only to the teams who qualified in the NBA playoffs the previous year. The Nets, by virtue of qualifying in the 2020 NBA playoffs, were given an "Earned" uniform. The design featured the herringbone parquet style of the Barclays Center court in shades of black and grey, with Helvetica lettering inspired from the signs found at the New York City Subway.[38]

Secondary script logo for the Nets, introduced in 2024

In 2024, Brooklyn unveiled a streamlined brand set that retires the shield logo and elevates the “B” basketball mark to the primary logo. This includes the "B" basketball mark replacing the shield on the uniform shorts. The global roundel was updated to a crisper “Brooklyn Nets” circle seal around the central B. New secondary marks include an arched “BROOKLYN” wordmark and a script “Nets” mark, expanding typography beyond the previous block-only system. The palette remains strictly black-and-white, with simplified line weights and cleaner geometry to emphasize borough identity and versatility across uniforms, merch, and digital.[44]

Culture

[edit]

Mascot

[edit]
Cover to BrooklyKnight #1, distributed at the Brooklyn Nets home opener. Art by Mike Deodato.

The mascot of the New Jersey Nets was Sly the Silver Fox, who debuted on October 31, 1997, as part of the rebranding of the Nets for the 1997–98 season.[45] Prior to that, the Nets' mascot was an anthropomorphic dragon named Duncan the Dragon.[46]

After the Nets' move to Brooklyn, the team introduced a new superhero mascot named BrooklyKnight (a pun on the demonym "Brooklynite") on November 3, 2012. In his first appearance, he was lowered from the ceiling of Barclays Center amid sparks and fanfare and introduced by Nets public address announcer David Diamante: "Here to defend Brooklyn, he's the BrooklyKnight." The mascot was co-created by Marvel Entertainment, a sister company to NBA broadcasters ABC and ESPN. The character also starred in a 32-page comic book published by Marvel titled BrooklyKnight #1, written by Jason Aaron with art from Mike Deodato.[47][48] After the Nets' second season in Brooklyn, the BrooklyKnight mascot was retired, leaving the Nets mascotless.[49]

Team anthem

[edit]

On November 3, 2012, the Nets introduced a new team anthem titled "Brooklyn: Something To Lean On", written and recorded by Brooklyn-born musician John Forté.[50] The song is notable for its refrain, which features the "Brooklyn" chant that has been popular with fans in the Barclays Center.[51]

Brooklyn Brigade

[edit]

The Brooklyn Brigade[52] is a group of fans who are known for their loud chants and passionate attitude towards the Nets. The group was founded in November 2012 by Nets fan and Brooklyn native Udong "Bobby" Edemeka.[53] Edemeka attended a few early season games of the team in their new Brooklyn home. Edemeka noticed that the team lacked a solid fan base in their new home, and decided to purchase tickets for a small group of roughly 20 fans who he noticed were regular followers of the team on the SB Nation online blog, NetsDaily.[54]

The Brigade was not yet based in Section 114.[55] Instead, Edemeka would purchase tickets in whichever section he could, which often included nosebleed seats. The Brigade initially did not get much recognition from the Nets. Edemeka met with the CEO Irina Pavlova (of the ONEXIM Group), who was fond of the group's antics.[56] Although Pavlova was a supporter of the group, other members of the organization were resistant to showing support for the Brigade. During the 2014–15 season, however, the Brooklyn Nets organization began assigning seats to the Brigade in Section 114 of the Barclays Center. This section is adjacent to the press booth and gave the Brooklyn Brigade exposure on a regional level and then eventually on a national level.

During the conference semifinals in 2014, while the Nets battled the Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center CEO Brett Yomark noticed the Brigade's effect on the arena, and he started to visit Section 114 distributing Nets' apparel. In 2016, the Nets hired Sean Marks as their general manager, who became an immediate supporter of the group.[57] During the 2018–19 season, the Nets reserved section 114 for passionate fans, and called it "The BK Block."[58] Although the Brigade is an independent fan group of the Nets, The Block[59] comprises mostly Brigade members.[60]

Mr. Whammy

[edit]
"Mr. Whammy" at Barclays Center in 2018

Bruce Reznick, known commonly as "Mr. Whammy", is an iconic 86-year-old Nets superfan. Reznick became a Nets season ticket holder in 1998 when the Nets played in Continental Airlines Arena. He is known for his signature "whammy", a practice in which he stands on the sidelines in view of opposing players while they are attempting free throws and tries to distract them with pointing, jumping, and yelling. Reznick will not "whammy" players that have previously played for the Nets. Reznick believes the practice is effective as Barclays Center often has one of the lowest opposing team free throw percentages in the league. For example, by January 11, 2023, opposing teams had only a 70.3 free throw shot percentage in Brooklyn, which was about eight points lower than league average for the 2022–23 NBA season. Before Reznick was given the name "Mr. Whammy" by Nets broadcaster Ian Eagle he was referred to as "Red Shirt".[61][62]

Management

[edit]

On September 18, 2019, Joseph Tsai, the executive vice chairman of the Alibaba Group, completed the acquisition of full ownership of the Brooklyn Nets. With the closing of the transaction, Tsai became NBA Governor of the Nets and its affiliates.[63] Additionally, former Turner Broadcasting president David Levy was named CEO of the Nets and Barclays Center.[64][65] On November 12, the Nets and Barclays Center announced that David Levy would step down from the CEO position he had assumed less than two months before. Oliver Weisberg, president of Tsai's holding company J Tsai Sports, assumed an interim CEO role.[66][67]

Ownership history

[edit]

The original owner of the Nets franchise was trucking magnate Arthur J. Brown, who founded the team in 1967. The next year, Brown sold the team for $1.1 million to entrepreneur Roy Boe.[68] Due to financial losses suffered while the team was on Long Island, Boe moved the team back to New Jersey in 1977 and sold the team a year later to a group of seven local businessmen led by Alan N. Cohen and Joseph Taub, who became known as the "Secaucus Seven".[69]

After a lengthy ownership of the franchise and numerous unsuccessful attempts to improve the financial situation of the team, the "Secaucus Seven" finally sold the team in 1998 to a group of local real estate developers led by Raymond Chambers and Lewis Katz,[70] who called themselves the "Community Youth Organization" and wanted to move the team to Newark, New Jersey. The next year the group signed an agreement with New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to form YankeeNets, a holding company that owned the two teams, and later also the New Jersey Devils, and increase leverage in future broadcast contracts by negotiating together. After receiving offers from several broadcast partners, including Cablevision, which held their rights at that time, YankeeNets decided to launch its own regional sports television called the YES Network.

YankeeNets failed in its attempts to secure a deal with Newark to construct a new arena in the city. By that point in time, tensions between the management of the Yankees, Nets, and the Devils had cause a rift between them, and a decision was made to split the group.[71] With their plan to move the Nets dead, the Community Youth Organization placed the team up for sale. After a short bidding process, the group secured a deal in 2004 with real estate developer Bruce Ratner to buy the team for $300 million, defeating a similar offer by Charles Kushner and Senator Jon Corzine of New Jersey. Ratner had purchased the team with the intent of moving it to a new arena in Brooklyn, which was to be a centerpiece of the large-scale Atlantic Yards development.[72]

Rapper Jay-Z owned a small minority stake in the Nets from 2003 until 2013. Jay-Z was a leader in the marketing for the team and helped encourage their move from New Jersey to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, in which he also held a stake. He relinquished his stake after registering as a sports agent with his new agency Roc Nation Sports, to avert any potential conflicts of interest.[73][74] His shares were eventually sold to singer, rapper, actor and entrepreneur Will Pan, making Pan the first American of Taiwanese descent to own a U.S. professional sports franchise.[75]

On September 24, 2009, Mikhail Prokhorov, Russia's third-richest man according to Forbes, confirmed his intention to become majority owner of the Nets. Prokhorov sent an offer to the team owners requesting that the controlling shares of the basketball club be sold to his company, Onexim, for a symbolic price. In return, Prokhorov funded a loan of $700 million for the construction of Barclays Center, and attracted additional funds from Western banks. Prokhorov stated that he initiated the deal to help push Russian basketball to a new level of development.[76] On May 11, 2010, following approval from the other owners of NBA teams, Prokhorov had become the principal owner of the Nets.[77]

In late 2017, Prokhorov agreed to sell a 49% stake in the team to Joseph Tsai, with an option for Tsai to become the majority owner.[78] The option was exercised in August 2019, with Tsai also buying the Nets' arena, Barclays Center, from Prokhorov for nearly $1 billion in a separate deal. The NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale to Tsai on September 18, 2019.[79]

Facilities

[edit]
Barclays Center in 2019

Home arenas

[edit]

Source:[80]

Arena Location Duration
Teaneck Armory Teaneck, New Jersey 1967–1968
Long Island Arena Commack, New York 1968–1969
Island Garden West Hempstead, New York 1969–1972
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Uniondale, New York 1972–1977
Rutgers Athletic Center Piscataway, New Jersey 1977–1981
Meadowlands Arena
originally Brendan Byrne Arena (1981–1996)
renamed Continental Airlines Arena (1996–2007)
renamed Izod Center (2007–2010) 		East Rutherford, New Jersey 1981–2010
Prudential Center Newark, New Jersey 2010–2012
Barclays Center Brooklyn, New York 2012–present

Practice facilities

[edit]

The Nets' practice facility and headquarters for the team's basketball operations are located at the Hospital for Special Surgery Training Center in the Industry City complex in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn. The facility opened on February 17, 2016, and is built on the roof of an empty warehouse in the complex, occupying 70,000 square feet of space in total. The renovation project cost roughly $50 million.[81] The opening of the training center completed the Nets' move to Brooklyn.

The team's previous practice facility was at the 65,000-square-foot PNY Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which opened in 1998.[82] Prior to that, the team practiced at the APA Recreation Center in North Bergen, New Jersey, sharing their lockers and practice courts with truck drivers who used the facility, and at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey.[82]

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in November 2012, PNY Center suffered a power outage and extensive water damage due to flooding, and for several months, the team used the smaller training spaces and practice courts inside the Barclays Center instead.[83]

Personnel

[edit]
Main articles: Brooklyn Nets all-time roster and List of Brooklyn Nets head coaches

Current roster

[edit]
Brooklyn Nets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
C 33 Nic Claxton 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1999-04-17 Georgia
F/C 21 Noah Clowney 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2004-07-14 Alabama
G 8 Egor Demin 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2006-03-03 BYU
G 10 Tyson Etienne (TW) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1999-09-17 Wichita State
F 7 Haywood Highsmith 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1996-12-09 Wheeling
F 9 E. J. Liddell (TW) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 2000-12-18 Ohio State
G/F 14 Terance Mann 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1996-10-18 Florida State
G 13 Tyrese Martin 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1999-03-07 Connecticut
F 17 Michael Porter Jr. 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1998-06-29 Missouri
G/F 4 Drake Powell 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2005-09-08 North Carolina
G 77 Ben Saraf 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2006-04-14 Israel
C 20 Day'Ron Sharpe 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 2001-11-06 North Carolina
G 24 Cam Thomas 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2001-10-13 LSU
G 88 Nolan Traoré 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2006-05-28 France
F 1 Ziaire Williams 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-09-12 Stanford
F 22 Jalen Wilson 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2000-11-04 Kansas
F 2 Danny Wolf 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 2004-05-05 Michigan
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Updated: October 21, 2025

Retained draft rights

[edit]

The Nets hold the draft rights to the following unsigned draft picks who have been playing outside the NBA. A drafted player, either an international draftee or a college draftee who is not signed by the team that drafted him, is allowed to sign with any non-NBA team. In this case, the team retains the player's draft rights in the NBA until one year after the player's contract with the non-NBA team ends.[84] This list includes draft rights that were acquired from trades with other teams.

Draft Round Pick Player Pos. Nationality Current team Note(s) Ref
2019 2 60 Vanja Marinković G/F  Serbia Partizan Mozzart Bet (Serbia) Acquired from the Sacramento Kings (via LA Clippers and Memphis) [85]
2016 2 39 David Michineau G  France Bursaspor Yörsan (Turkey) Acquired from the Sacramento Kings (via LA Clippers and New Orleans) [86]
2015 1 26 Nikola Milutinov C  Serbia Olympiacos (Greece) Acquired from the San Antonio Spurs [87]
2015 2 49 Aaron White F  United States Toyama Grouses (Japan) Acquired from the Washington Wizards [88]

Franchise leaders

[edit]
Main article: Brooklyn Nets accomplishments and records
Brook Lopez played for the Nets from 2008 to 2017 and is franchise's leading scorer

Bold denotes still active with the team. Italics denotes still active, but not with the team. "Name*" includes combined statistics for the team from both the ABA and NBA.

Points scored (regular season) as of the end of the 2024–25 season[89]
  1. Brook Lopez (10,444)
  2. Buck Williams (10,440)
  3. Vince Carter (8,834)
  4. Richard Jefferson (8,507)
  5. Jason Kidd (7,373)
  6. John Williamson* (7,202)
  7. Julius Erving* (7,104)
  8. Kerry Kittles (7,096)
  9. Derrick Coleman (6,930)
  10. Chris Morris (6,762)
  11. Mike Gminski (6,415)
  12. Billy Paultz* (6,297)
  13. Bill Melchionni* (6,230)
  14. Otis Birdsong (5,968)
  15. Keith Van Horn (5,700)
  16. Albert King (5,595)
  17. Joe Harris (5,007)
  18. Spencer Dinwiddie (4,953)
  19. Kendall Gill (4,932)
  20. Darwin Cook (4,699)
Other statistics (regular season) as of the end of the 2024–25 season[89]
Most minutes played
Player Minutes
Buck Williams 23,100
Jason Kidd 18,733
Brook Lopez 18,118
Richard Jefferson 17,499
Kerry Kittles 16,686
Most rebounds
Player Rebounds
Buck Williams 7,576
Billy Paultz* 4,544
Brook Lopez 4,004
Derrick Coleman 3,690
Mike Gminski 3,671
Most assists
Player Assists
Jason Kidd 4,620
Bill Melchionni* 3,044
Kenny Anderson 2,363
Deron Williams 2,078
Spencer Dinwiddle 1,985
Most steals
Player Steals
Jason Kidd 950
Darwin Cook 875
Kerry Kittles 803
Chris Morris 784
Kendall Gill 652
Most blocks
Player Blocks
Brook Lopez 972
George Johnson 863
Buck Williams 696
Mike Gminski 599
Derrick Coleman 559

Retired numbers

[edit]
See also: List of National Basketball Association retired jersey numbers
New York / New Jersey / Brooklyn Nets retired numbers hanging prior to the NBA pre-season game between the Nets and the New York Knicks in October 2018
Brooklyn Nets retired numbers[90]
No. Player Position Tenure Date
3 Dražen Petrović G 1991–1993 November 11, 1993
5 Jason Kidd G 2001–2008 October 17, 2013
15 Vince Carter G/F 2004–2009 January 25, 2025
23 John Williamson G 1973–1980 December 7, 1990
25 Bill Melchionni G 1969–1976 September 1976
32 Julius Erving F 1973–1976 April 3, 1987
52 Buck Williams F 1981–1989 April 11, 1999

Basketball Hall of Famers

[edit]
Players
No. Name Position Tenure Inducted
24 Rick Barry[93] F 1970–1972 1987
1 Nate Archibald[94] G 1976–1977 1991
32 Julius Erving[95] F 1973–1976 1993
21 Bob McAdoo[96] C 1981 2000
3 Dražen Petrović[97] G 1991–1993 2002
34 Mel Daniels[98] C 1976 2012
22 Bernard King[99] F 1977–1979 2013
30 1993
33 Alonzo Mourning[100] C 2003–2004 2014
55 Dikembe Mutombo[101] C 2002–2003 2015
10 Maurice Cheeks[102] G 1992–1993 2018
5 Jason Kidd[a][103] G 2001–2008 2018
2 Kevin Garnett[104] F 2013–2015 2020
34 Paul Pierce F 2013–2014 2021
15 Vince Carter G/F 2004–2009 2024
Coaches
Name Position Tenure Inducted
Lou Carnesecca[105] Head coach 1970–1973 1992
Chuck Daly[b][106] Head coach 1992–1994 1994
Larry Brown[107] Head coach 1981–1983 2002
John Calipari[108] Head coach 1996–1999 2015
Bill Fitch[109] Head coach 1989–1992 2019
Contributors
Name Position Tenure Inducted
Rod Thorn[110] Assistant coach 1973–1975, 1976–1978 2018
Executive 2000–2010
Del Harris[111] Assistant coach 2009–2010 2022

FIBA Hall of Fame

[edit]
Players
No. Name Position Tenure Inducted
3 Dražen Petrović[112] G 1991–1993 2007
33 Alonzo Mourning C 2003–2004 2019
Coaches
Name Position Tenure Inducted
Chuck Daly[c] Head coach 1992–1994 2021

Individual awards

[edit]

NBA

[edit]
NBA Rookie of the Year
NBA Executive of the Year
NBA Sportsmanship Award
J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
All-NBA First Team
All-NBA Second Team
All-NBA Third Team
NBA All-Defensive First Team
NBA All-Defensive Second Team
NBA All-Rookie First Team
NBA All-Rookie Second Team

ABA

[edit]
ABA Most Valuable Player
ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player
ABA Rookie of the Year
All-ABA Team First Team
All-ABA Team Second Team

ABA All-Time Team

ABA All-Time MVP

ABA All-Defensive Team
ABA All-Rookie Team

NBA All-Star Weekend

[edit]
NBA All-Star Game
NBA All-Star Game head coaches

ABA All-Star Game

[edit]

ABA All-Star Game

ABA All-Star Game head coaches

ABA Slam Dunk Contest

NBA D-League/G League affiliation

[edit]

The Nets signed an agreement with the Springfield Armor to become its exclusive NBA Development League affiliate starting in the 2011–12 season. This made the Nets the second team to opt for a D-League "hybrid affiliation", the first being the Houston Rockets with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Springfield ownership maintained control over business, marketing, and day-to-day operations, with the Nets having control over coaching and player decisions. This hybrid model was well received by GMs and owners.[113] However, after three seasons, the Detroit Pistons purchased the Armor from its former owners, and moved and renamed the team the Grand Rapids Drive.[114]

On November 6, 2015, the Nets announced that they had purchased a new D-League team to be called the Long Island Nets. The team played their home games during the 2016–17 season at the Barclays Center and then at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, after renovations were complete for the 2017–18 season. The Long Island Nets became the twelfth D-League team to be owned by an NBA team.[115]

Media

[edit]
See also: List of Brooklyn Nets broadcasters

The television home of the Nets is the YES Network, which the team helped create while they were under the corporate umbrella of YankeeNets, a merger of business operations between the Nets and the New York Yankees.[116] After the dissolution of YankeeNets and Bruce Ratner's purchase of the team, YES signed a long-term deal to keep broadcasting Nets games. The sale to the Ratner group did not include the percentage of YES that was previously owned by the Nets, which remains with the pre-merger Nets owners.[117] Prior to that, the Nets' TV home was Fox Sports Net New York and SportsChannel New York.

Select playoff games air over-the-air on WWOR-TV instead of on YES, this is only when Yankees games are airing at the same time. Previously these games aired on WLNY-TV or WPIX.

The current flagship radio station of the Nets is WFAN, which took over the radio rights to the Nets after losing their basketball contract with the Knicks (who moved to WEPN).[118] Prior to that, Nets games aired on WNEW, WMCA, WVNJ, WNBC, WQEW, and WOR.

In the club's early ABA years, some Sunday road games were televised in a package carried by WPIX. The team's later ABA tenure featured more frequent road telecasts on their current broadcast partner, WWOR-TV. Known then as WOR-TV, it continued airing road games for a time once the team joined the NBA in 1976.

Television

[edit]

Ian Eagle has been the sole television play-by-play announcer for the Nets since the departure of Marv Albert in 2011.[119] Eagle became the lead television voice for the team in 1995 after serving as the team's radio voice for one year, while Albert joined the Nets following his firing by MSG Network in 2005 after four decades as the lead voice of the New York Knicks. When Albert joined the broadcast team, he became the lead broadcaster with Eagle as his substitute; beginning in the 2009–10 season, due to Albert's advancing age and his other commitments, Eagle once again assumed the lead play-by-play spot. Ryan Ruocco substitutes for Eagle during the latter's CBS NFL and NCAA commitments.[120]

As of 2024, Sarah Kustok, Ian Eagle, Ryan Ruocco, and/or Noah Eagle provide color commentary on YES Network broadcasts, and Meghan Triplett serves as courtside reporter.

Radio

[edit]

WFAN is the Nets' current radio flagship, the station having assumed radio rights from WOR following the 2003–04 season. Chris Carrino and Tim Capstraw comprise the broadcast team, Carrino on play-by-play and Capstraw as the analyst. The games air on other Entercom-operated stations, such as WCBS (AM) and WXBK, when there are programming conflicts on WFAN.[121]

Other broadcasters who have worked for the Nets include Howard David, Bob Papa, Bill Raftery, Kelly Tripucka, Albert King, Mike O'Koren, Spencer Ross, Mel Proctor, Joe Tait, John Sterling, John Minko and Mark Jackson.

Nets games have also aired on WNEW and WQEW in the past.

During the club's ABA years, announcers included Marty Glickman, Marv Albert's brothers Al Albert and Steve Albert, baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson, Bob Goldsholl, as well as Sterling and Vince DiTomasso. The latter two joined the club's move into the NBA.

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brooklyn Nets

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from Grokipedia
The Brooklyn Nets are a professional basketball team competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. Based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, the franchise plays its home games at Barclays Center, a multi-purpose indoor arena in the Prospect Heights neighborhood. The Nets trace their origins to the American Basketball Association (ABA), where they began play in 1967 as the New Jersey Americans in Teaneck, New Jersey, a short-lived name before becoming the New York Nets in 1968 and relocating to Long Island. The team played at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, from 1972 before settling in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in 1977 upon joining the NBA through the ABA-NBA merger. They remained the New Jersey Nets until 2012, when the franchise moved back to New York City and rebranded as the Brooklyn Nets to reflect their new home in Brooklyn. This relocation marked a significant chapter, coinciding with the opening of Barclays Center and an emphasis on black-and-white team colors and logos inspired by New York subway signage. In the ABA era, the Nets achieved notable success, winning league championships in 1974 and 1976 under Hall of Famer Julius Erving, who led the team to three consecutive MVP awards from 1973 to 1975. The franchise has won two ABA championships but none in the NBA, with an all-time NBA regular-season record of 1,456–1,678 (.464) as of the 2025–26 season. Transitioning to the NBA, the franchise reached the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003, both times led by Jason Kidd, but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs, respectively; these appearances also earned the team Eastern Conference titles in those years. Additional accomplishments include Atlantic Division titles in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006. The Nets have yet to win an NBA championship, though they have produced other icons like Dražen Petrović, a Hall of Famer posthumously inducted in 2002, and more recently, stars such as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden during a competitive 2019–2023 period. As of the 2025–26 NBA season, the Nets are coached by and feature key contributors including guard Cam Thomas, center , forward Michael Porter Jr. (acquired via trade in the offseason), with recent draft additions like Egor Demin and Danny Wolf bolstering the roster. The team has faced challenges in recent years, missing the in the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons while undergoing roster rebuilds, and as of November 14, 2025, holding a 4–7 record, ranking 12th in the Eastern Conference.

History

Origins in the ABA

The franchise originated as the New Jersey Americans, one of the 11 founding teams of the (ABA), established in by trucking magnate Arthur J. Brown. Initially planned for play in , the team relocated its home games to the Teaneck Armory in due to insufficient arena support in the metropolis. Under coach , the Americans debuted on , , losing 110-107 to the Pittsburgh Pipers, with key contributors including Tony Jackson, who led with 19.4 points per game, and Levern Tart, who averaged 19.0 points per game in 31 games. The team finished the 1967-68 season with a 36-42 record, tying the for the fourth and final Eastern Division playoff spot, but forfeited the tiebreaker game due to unplayable court conditions at their temporary venue. Facing financial difficulties and low attendance—often drawing fewer than 1,000 fans per game—the Americans relocated after the inaugural season to the Commack Arena on , New York, and were renamed the New York Nets in 1968, inspired by the success of the MLB's and NFL's . The 1968-69 season proved disastrous, with a 17-61 record and the use of 27 different players amid ongoing instability, including payment issues for players where checks occasionally bounced. Ownership changed hands prior to the 1969-70 season when Brown sold the franchise to Roy Boe, a Long Island industrialist, who stabilized operations by moving the team to the Island Garden in West Hempstead and retaining Zaslofsky initially before later hires. Under Boe, the Nets improved to 39-45 in 1969-70, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since the inaugural season but losing in the division semifinals to the . The Nets' fortunes transformed with the arrival of , acquired from the in 1973, who became the franchise's cornerstone and elevated the team to ABA prominence. In the 1973-74 season, coached by , the Nets posted a league-best 55-29 record, clinching the Eastern Division title behind Erving's MVP performance of 27.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, supported by (16.4 points, 10.2 rebounds) and (15.9 points, 11.5 rebounds). Their playoff run included a sweep of the in the division semifinals and a 4-2 victory over the in the division , capped by a 4-1 defeat of the in the ABA Finals, where Erving averaged 27.9 points and earned playoff MVP honors. Financial pressures persisted despite on-court success, with the ABA's overall prompting merger talks with the NBA. The 1975-76 season saw the Nets finish 55-29, second in the league, led by Erving's league-leading 29.3 and third consecutive MVP award, alongside Brian Taylor (16.7 points) and John Williamson (16.2 points). In the playoffs, they overcame the in a seven-game division finals series before defeating the 4-2 in the ABA Finals—the league's last—highlighted by Erving's 45-point Game 1 buzzer-beater and 34.7 average, securing his second playoff MVP. The ABA-NBA merger, finalized on June 17, 1976, absorbed the Nets as one of four surviving teams (alongside the , , and ), ending the league's nine-year existence amid financial woes that had seen several franchises fold.

New Jersey Nets era

Following the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, the Nets entered the league as one of four absorbing teams but faced immediate financial and competitive challenges. To secure entry, the franchise traded star Julius Erving to the Philadelphia 76ers for $3 million, a move that depleted their roster and led to a dismal 22-60 record in their inaugural NBA season at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Ownership under Roy Boe struggled with debts, including $320,000 owed to the New York Knicks under territorial agreements, prompting threats of legal action that nearly derailed operations. By 1977, the team relocated to Rutgers University in New Jersey to cut costs and avoid bankruptcy, marking the start of the New Jersey Nets identity amid ongoing relocation pressures from the Knicks' territorial claims. The early 1980s brought modest progress amid persistent struggles, with the Nets posting a 44-38 record in 1981-82 after drafting forward third overall, who earned Rookie of the Year honors and anchored a playoff appearance. They achieved their first NBA playoff series victory in 1983-84, upsetting the 76ers in the first round behind Williams and guard John Bagley, drafted in 1982. However, the decade was marred by a 26-56 record in 1980-81 and frequent roster turnover, including the acquisition of center in 1982, as the team navigated ownership instability following Boe's sale to a group led by Joe Taub in 1983 after a filing. Relocation rumors persisted into the mid-1980s, with discussions of potential moves to stabilize finances, though the Nets remained at the . The 1990s featured sporadic success overshadowed by tragedy and rebuilds, highlighted by the 1990 draft selection of forward first overall, who won Rookie of the Year and led the Nets to a 26-56 season in 1990-91 before earning nods. The team added sharpshooter Drazen Petrovic via in 1991, forming a potent duo with Coleman that propelled a 45-37 record and Eastern Conference semifinals appearance in 1991-92. Rebuild efforts intensified after Petrovic's fatal car accident in , leading to drafts like center in 1995 and guard in 1996, but inconsistency plagued the franchise with a 329-491 record over the decade. Ownership shifted in 1998 to a group led by and , who invested in facilities but faced ongoing financial strains. The early 2000s marked the Nets' pinnacle under Jason Kidd, acquired in a 2001 trade from the in exchange for Stephon Marbury, the top draft pick from 1996, and two others. Kidd's arrival transformed the team, leading to a 52-30 record and an sweep by the Lakers in 2002, followed by a 49-33 mark and another Finals loss to the Spurs in 2003, where Kidd averaged 18.7 points, 8.9 assists, and 6.3 rebounds. The franchise drafted forward first overall in 2000 and forward 13th in 2001, bolstering the core alongside Kidd for consistent playoff contention. Success waned post-Finals, prompting a 2004 trade for from the in exchange for four players, yielding a 42-40 record and playoffs in 2004-05. Ownership transitioned to developer in 2004 for $300 million, part of a group that included and aimed to revitalize the franchise amid Meadowlands lease issues. Ratner's tenure saw further rebuilds, including the 2008 trade of Kidd to the for guard , forward , and forward Maurice Ager, signaling a youth movement that yielded a franchise-worst 12-70 record in 2009-10. The Nets selected players like forward 10th overall in 2008. In 2010, Ratner sold 80% controlling interest to Russian billionaire for $200 million plus $180 million in debt assumption, with Prokhorov acquiring 45% of the new arena project. The era closed with a 2011 trade for from the , providing a brief spark in a 24-58 2011-12 season.

Relocation to Brooklyn and modern developments

The Brooklyn Nets relocated from New Jersey to Brooklyn in 2012, marking the end of their 35-year tenure as the New Jersey Nets and the beginning of a new era focused on establishing a stronger identity in . The NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the move on April 13, 2012, allowing the team to play its home games at the newly constructed starting with the 2012-13 season. The arena, an 18,200-seat multipurpose venue developed by Forest City Ratner Companies in partnership with part-owner , opened in September 2012 and quickly became a hub for sports and entertainment in the borough. This relocation aimed to capitalize on Brooklyn's growing cultural prominence, contrasting the team's previous nomadic history across multiple metropolitan-area venues. In 2019, ownership transitioned to , co-founder of , who acquired full control of the Nets and the operating rights to for $2.35 billion from majority owner , solidifying a stable financial foundation for the franchise. Under Tsai's leadership, the team's valuation has more than doubled to approximately $5.6 billion as of 2025, driven by strategic investments in global partnerships, particularly in , and expansions like the ownership of the WNBA's . Tsai's approach emphasized long-term sustainability, including embracing a rebuild in 2023 despite short-term challenges, which has positioned the Nets with a wealth of future assets while fostering organizational patience amid roster turnover. The arrival of the "Big Three" in 2019-2021 elevated the Nets to contender status, beginning with and signing four-year max contracts on June 30, 2019, followed by the January 2021 trade for from the in exchange for multiple first-round picks and players. This superstar trio promised dominance, with the Nets reaching the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2021 despite injuries, but their tenure was plagued by health issues, off-court controversies, and limited cohesion—they played only 16 games together, compiling a 13-3 record in those outings. The Big Three era dissolved rapidly in 2022-2023, starting with Harden's trade to the in February 2022 amid reported frustrations, followed by Irving's move to the and Durant's to the in February 2023, both deals orchestrated to recoup draft capital previously surrendered. This rebuild, led by general manager , focused on accumulating assets, including five first-round picks from the Suns in the Durant trade and additional selections from other transactions, culminating in the where the Nets selected (21st overall) and (51st overall) to bolster their young talent pool. By 2024, the strategy intensified with the trade of to the for four unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap, amassing a league-high 15 first-rounders from 2025 to 2031 to fuel a patient, draft-centric reconstruction. In the 2024-25 season, the Nets prioritized young core development amid their rebuild, finishing with a 26-56 record and missing the playoffs for the second straight year, placing 12th in the Eastern Conference. Emerging players like Cam Thomas, who averaged 24.0 points per game as a primary scorer, and Jalen Wilson, contributing 10.4 points off the bench, showed promise in establishing versatile roles, while Nic Claxton anchored the defense with 11.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. The season highlighted incremental growth in team identity, with an emphasis on pace and three-point shooting, though defensive inconsistencies and a negative net rating of -7.3 underscored the challenges of a transitional roster. Despite the playoff absence, the focus remained on evaluating and nurturing this developing group for future contention. In the 2025 offseason, the Nets selected guard Egor Demin in the first round and forward Danny Wolf in the second round of the NBA Draft. They also acquired forward Michael Porter Jr. via trade. Entering the 2025-26 season under coach Jordi Fernández, the team started with a 1-8 record as of November 14, 2025, ranking 14th in the Eastern Conference, continuing their rebuild focused on young talent like Thomas and Claxton.

Rivalries and culture

Key rivalries

The Brooklyn Nets' most intense rivalry is with the , often dubbed the Battle of New York or the NBA's , which gained significant traction following the Nets' relocation from to in 2012. This intra-city matchup has fueled fanbase tensions due to the shared New York and the proximity of and , with supporters divided by borough loyalties and historical perceptions of the Knicks as the city's flagship franchise. The all-time regular-season head-to-head record stands at 112 wins for the Knicks and 107 for the Nets as of November 2025, reflecting a closely contested history marked by occasional playoff meetings, including the Knicks' 3-1 series win in the 1994 first round. In the , the rivalry has tilted toward Knicks dominance, with New York securing an 11-game winning streak against Brooklyn as of November 2025, including victories in all four regular-season games during the 2023-24 season. This shift underscores the Knicks' resurgence under coach , contrasting with the Nets' transitional phase after trading away stars like and , while heightening the stakes for local bragging rights in a series that draws intense media and fan attention. Historically, the Nets clashed fiercely with the Boston Celtics during the early 2000s, a period defined by multiple playoff confrontations that highlighted the Nets' rise under coach and point guard . In the 2002 Eastern Conference , the Nets defeated the Celtics 4-2, overcoming a memorable 32-point comeback by in Game 3 to advance to the . The following year, in the 2003 Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Nets swept the Celtics 4-0, solidifying their status as an Eastern Conference powerhouse en route to another appearance. Overall, the Nets hold a 12-7 playoff edge over , a record that encapsulates the intensity of these battles amid the Celtics' own storied legacy. The Nets also developed a notable rivalry with the Toronto Raptors in the 2010s, stemming from divisional competition in the Atlantic Division and punctuated by playoff showdowns. A key highlight was the 2014 first-round series, where the eighth-seeded Nets upset the third-seeded Raptors 4-3, with Paul Pierce's clutch performance in Game 7 sealing Brooklyn's advancement and marking one of the era's memorable underdog victories. This clash built on earlier postseason history, including the Nets' 4-2 win over Toronto in 2007, and contributed to a playoff series record of 8 wins for the Nets and 9 for the Raptors, though the rivalry waned after the Raptors' 4-0 sweep of Brooklyn in the 2020 first round. Post-relocation, these rivalries have evolved with the Nets establishing a Brooklyn identity, amplifying the Knicks feud through geographic proximity while the Celtics and Raptors matchups reflect broader Eastern Conference dynamics. The 2020s have seen the Knicks rivalry intensify amid New York's playoff contention, contrasting with sporadic but competitive encounters against and as the Nets rebuild.

Team traditions and mascot

The Brooklyn Nets introduced their mascot, , on November 3, 2012, as the first superhero mascot in NBA history, designed in collaboration with to embody Brooklyn's gritty, urban spirit. The character, a pun on "Brooklynite," descended from the Barclays Center rafters during the team's home opener, equipped with high-tech gadgets to "defend" the Nets against opponents, and appeared at all home games to energize fans through dances, skits, and interactions that highlighted local culture. However, after the 2013-14 season, the mascot was retired due to mixed fan reception and a strategic shift away from costumed characters, leaving the Nets without an official mascot since. A key element of Nets game-day traditions is the independent fan group known as the Brooklyn Brigade, established in 2012 to foster passionate support for the team following its relocation. Comprising dedicated supporters, the Brigade organizes chants, drum lines, and coordinated displays in the BK Block section of , creating an electric atmosphere that emphasizes community and loyalty, with activities including pre-game tailgates and charity drives tied to 's neighborhoods. In October 2025, the group announced a pause on the BK Block for a revamp to enhance fan experiences, while reaffirming its fan-led mission. Complementing these efforts is the lore surrounding Mr. Whammy, the persona of longtime superfan Bruce Reznick, who began attending Nets games in the late 1990s during the era and developed his signature "hex" routine of wild gestures and shouts to distract opposing free-throw shooters. Reznick, a holder for over 25 years as of 2023 and now recognized alongside his wife Judy as "Mr. and Mrs. Whammy" in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame's James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery announced in October 2025, has become an iconic figure, often seated courtside to "curse" rivals, with his antics gaining national attention for their entertaining disruption and embodiment of unwavering Nets fandom. The team's official anthem, "Brooklyn: Something to Lean On," written and performed by Brooklyn native , debuted in 2012 to capture the borough's resilient vibe and has been played at home games to rally crowds, evolving through remixes and videos that incorporate local artists. This musical tradition ties into broader hip-hop influences post-2012 relocation, as the Nets embraced Brooklyn's cultural heritage by integrating tracks from icons like and , including performances and tributes that celebrate the borough's rap legacy. For instance, ""—the 1996 and B.I.G. collaboration—has been featured in game playlists and events as a nod to street-level authenticity, reinforcing the team's identity amid the move to . These elements culminated in ongoing tributes to B.I.G., such as the 2017 Biggie Night and the November 11, 2025, Biggie Night event, which featured the debut of Biggie-inspired City Edition jerseys, a halftime performance by , and limited-edition bobbleheads, marking his enduring impact on Brooklyn's hip-hop scene and blending music with fan rituals to deepen cultural connections.

Uniforms and branding

Early designs and ABA period

The franchise began as the New Jersey Americans in 1967, adopting a patriotic color scheme of red, white, and blue that reflected the ABA's emphasis on bold, American-themed aesthetics. Their primary logo featured a red, white, and blue shield containing a basketball and the team name "Americans" arched above it. Uniforms included white home jerseys with red accents and red road jerseys, aligning with the league's early vibrant style that prioritized visual flair over uniformity. Following financial difficulties and a relocation to Long Island in 1968, the team rebranded as the New York Nets, shifting to a primary palette of , , and white while retaining ABA influences like dynamic scripting and motifs. Early uniforms from 1968 to 1972 featured white home jerseys with and trim, paired with road jerseys that included royal piping and white block lettering for "NETS," often accented by side stripes in , white, and patterns. The initial was a design with "Nets" in bold script over a outline, symbolizing the team's New York identity and the sport's essence. By the early , the Nets refined their branding amid rising success, introducing a new primary logo in that depicted a with "NY" in red and "Nets" superimposed in blue script across it, evoking motion and the team's growing prominence. Uniforms evolved to include the iconic "Stars and Stripes" alternates starting in , characterized by white bases with red "NETS" lettering, blue stars on side panels, and red-white-blue piping, which were worn during their ABA championships in and . These designs embodied the ABA's signature style of colorful, flag-inspired elements that distinguished the league from the more conservative NBA, fostering a distinct identity for the Nets before the 1976 merger.

NBA era evolutions through 2024 updates

Upon joining the NBA in 1977 as the New Jersey Nets, the team retained its American Basketball Association-inspired "Stars and Stripes" uniform design, featuring a red, white, and blue color scheme. The home jerseys were white with red lettering and blue trim, while road jerseys were blue with red and white accents, a style that persisted largely unchanged through the 1989-90 season. In the early 2000s, the Nets introduced a modern pinstriped design for their road jerseys, navy blue with thin white pinstripes, red piping, and block lettering to evoke a professional, urban aesthetic. This pinstripe look became iconic during the team's early-2000s playoff runs led by Jason Kidd, paired with white home uniforms. By the early 2000s, the franchise expanded its palette with black alternate jerseys in 2001, featuring silver and red details for a sleeker, contemporary vibe that complemented the pinstripes until the 2011-12 season. The relocation to Brooklyn in 2012 prompted a complete rebrand, abandoning the red-white-blue scheme for a minimalist black, white, and gray palette inspired by New York City subway signage. The new uniforms featured a shield-shaped primary logo with interlocking "B" and basketball elements, alongside a circular "B" secondary mark; home jerseys were white with black lettering, road sets black with white accents, and gray alternates introduced for statement games. This design, created in collaboration with Jay-Z's , emphasized Brooklyn's bold, artistic identity and remained the core aesthetic through the decade. In 2017, the Nets refreshed their uniforms under Nike's new NBA partnership, maintaining the black-white-gray foundation but adopting the manufacturer's Icon Edition (black home), Association Edition (white away), and Statement Edition (dark gray) templates for improved fit and ventilation. Subtle updates included refined "" scripting and integrated sponsor patches, enhancing visibility while preserving the rebrand's simplicity; these sets supported the team's rising profile during the and era. The 2024 primary logo update elevated the basketball-enclosed "B" mark—previously a secondary element—to the franchise's central icon, with thicker lines and repositioned seams on the ball for a more dynamic, three-dimensional appearance. This evolution streamlined branding across jerseys, which continued to use the 2017 Nike templates but incorporated the new emblem on chest and shoulders, signaling a forward-looking refinement without altering core colors. For the 2025-26 season, the Nets introduced a City Edition uniform inspired by native , reviving the popular 2018 "Brooklyn Camo" pattern with multicolored Coogi-style stripes in red, green, orange, and yellow along the sides and hems of black jerseys. This design pays homage to the rapper's Bed-Stuy roots and hip-hop legacy, featuring a custom patch and available as a limited-release set. All 2025-26 jerseys, including this edition, display the new All In Won partnership patch on the left chest, marking a multiyear deal with the New York-based firm as the official sponsor.

Facilities and operations

Home arenas

The Brooklyn Nets franchise, originally founded as the New Jersey Americans in the (), began playing home games at the Teaneck Armory in , during the 1967–68 season. This small venue served as the team's initial home for their inaugural ABA campaign, accommodating early crowds before the franchise relocated to venues. Following brief stints at Commack Arena (1968–69) and Island Garden (1969–early 1972), the team, now known as the New York Nets, moved to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in , where they played from late 1971 to 1977. The Coliseum, with a capacity of around 16,000 for , hosted significant moments including the Nets' ABA championships in 1974 and 1976, led by , and marked the franchise's rise as a competitive force before their NBA merger transition. The venue's modern design at the time facilitated larger attendances and contributed to the team's growing popularity on . Upon entering the NBA and rebranding as the Nets in 1977, the team played at the Rutgers Athletic Center in , from 1977 to 1981 as an interim arrangement while awaiting a permanent home. This university facility, with a capacity of about 8,000, hosted the Nets' early NBA seasons amid financial challenges and roster changes. In 1981, the franchise shifted to the newly opened Arena (later renamed Continental Airlines Arena in 1996 and Center in 2007) in , where they remained until 2010. The 20,000-seat arena became synonymous with the Nets' 2000s success, including two appearances in 2002 and 2003, and drew consistent crowds during peak eras like the Jason Kidd-led teams. From 2010 to 2012, as part of their transition plans, the Nets played at the in , a 18,000-capacity multipurpose venue shared with the NHL's . This period bridged the franchise's New Jersey chapter, with average attendances around 15,000 despite on-court struggles, setting the stage for the move to . Since the 2012–13 season, the Nets have called in , New York, their home, marking a pivotal relocation to revitalize the franchise in its namesake borough. The 17,732-seat arena, designed by with a signature ovoid exterior and innovative rigging systems for events, offers intimate sightlines and 101 luxury suites, enhancing fan experience through features like the Brooklyn Nets Bar and Grill. Opened in September 2012 with a concert, it has hosted over 200 annual events, including Nets playoff runs in 2014 and 2021 that drew sellout crowds. Attendance has remained strong, averaging over 17,500 per game in recent seasons (99% capacity in 2023–24), with a record 18,413 fans for a March 6, 2025, game against the .

Practice and training facilities

The Brooklyn Nets' practice and training facilities have evolved significantly since the team's era, reflecting improvements in player development and recovery resources. During the New Jersey Nets period, the team primarily trained at the PNY Center in , a 65,000-square-foot facility that opened in 1998 and served as both a practice space and operations until 2016. This venue, located adjacent to the , featured standard courts and training amenities but was criticized for its dated, windowless design and occasional maintenance issues like flooding. Following the relocation to Brooklyn in 2012, the Nets continued using the PNY Center temporarily before opening the dedicated HSS Training Center in , in February 2016. This 70,000-square-foot state-of-the-art complex, refurbished from a historic warehouse, includes two full-size basketball courts with new hardwood flooring and retractable hoops, a weight room equipped for strength and conditioning, and extensive recovery areas such as a training pool, two pools, cryogenic chambers, and whirlpool tubs. Additional features encompass a 3,000-square-foot players' lounge with an 18-seat multimedia theater for film study and analytics review, therapy suites with steam and options, and a rooftop space offering views of the skyline, all designed to enhance player comfort and performance. The facility's partnership with (HSS) integrates advanced services, including orthopedic care and performance analytics labs, directly into daily operations. Post-2020 upgrades have focused on bolstering player development and injury rehabilitation amid the and subsequent return-to-play protocols. The center reopened in May 2020 for voluntary individual workouts with enhanced and phased access measures, followed by expansions in HSS's on-site musculoskeletal services in 2019–2020 to support non-operative care and rehab programs. These improvements, including upgraded and analytics tools for biomechanical analysis, have aided in faster recovery and data-driven training regimens, contributing to the team's emphasis on long-term athlete health. As of 2025, the HSS Training Center integrates with the Nets' G League affiliate, the , through shared HSS medical oversight and resources in , facilitating seamless player development pathways and joint rehab programs between the NBA and G League levels. This collaboration allows for coordinated s and injury management, with the main team's 2025 training camp held at the HSS facility from September 24 to October 3.

Management and personnel

Ownership and executive leadership

The Brooklyn Nets franchise originated in the American Basketball Association (ABA) as the New Jersey Americans, founded in 1967 by a group of investors led by Arthur J. Brown. After a dismal inaugural season, Brown sold the team in 1969 to Roy Boe, a clothing manufacturer, for $1.1 million. Boe relocated the franchise to and renamed it the New York Nets, overseeing two ABA championships in 1974 and 1976 before the league's merger with the NBA in 1976. Under Boe's ownership, the Nets joined the NBA but faced financial strain from expansion fees and the loss of star to the , prompting a move to in 1977 as the New Jersey Nets. Boe sold the team in 1978 to a group headed by and Joe Taub for approximately $8 million, marking the beginning of a period of relative stability amid ongoing financial challenges. Ownership changed again in 1998 when and acquired the franchise for $150 million, followed by developer purchasing it in 2004 for $300 million with plans to relocate to Brooklyn's . Ratner's vision for the move faced delays due to economic factors, but in 2010, Russian billionaire bought an 80% controlling stake for $200 million, accelerating the transition. Prokhorov's tenure facilitated the Nets' rebranding and debut in in 2012, though it also involved high-profile trades and rebuilds that influenced the team's competitive direction. In 2017, Prokhorov sold a 49% stake to Alibaba co-founder Joseph Tsai for $1.15 billion, valuing the franchise at around $2.35 billion; Tsai exercised his option to assume full majority ownership in 2019, approved by the NBA Board of Governors. In June 2024, Tsai and his family sold a 15% minority stake in Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE) Global to Julia Koch and her family, valuing the company at $6 billion, while retaining 85% ownership and control. Under Tsai's leadership, the Nets have emphasized long-term sustainability, including investments in facilities and a youth-oriented rebuild following the departure of superstars in 2023. As of 2025, Tsai serves as the team's governor and chairman of BSE Global, the parent company. The executive structure includes General Manager , appointed in February 2016, who has overseen multiple roster overhauls and earned praise for strategic draft picks and trades that positioned the Nets for future contention. Sam Zussman holds the role of CEO of BSE Global since 2023, managing business operations, arena developments, and global partnerships that support the franchise's growth. Ownership under Tsai has prioritized and infrastructure, such as the September 2025 opening of the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center, to bolster fan development and recruitment efforts.

Coaching staff and roster overview

The Brooklyn Nets' coaching staff for the 2025-26 season is led by , who was appointed in April 2024 as the franchise's 23rd and the first Spaniard to hold the position in NBA history. , born in 1982 in , , began his coaching career at age 15 with local youth teams and advanced through roles in European basketball, including positions with Joventut Badalona's junior squads and the senior team in Spain's . Prior to joining the Nets, he served as associate for the from 2022 to 2024, contributing to their 2023 playoff appearance, and earlier worked as an assistant with the and in the . His philosophy emphasizes player development, mental resilience—drawing from his sports sciences education at the National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia—and a collaborative staff approach. Fernández oversees a nine-member assistant coaching staff, one of the largest in the NBA, designed to support comprehensive player growth across offense, defense, and . Lead assistant Steve Hetzel brings 19 years of NBA experience, having worked with the (2005-2018), , and , where he focused on defensive schemes and player conditioning. , a former NBA and 2019-20 Big Ten Coach of the Year at the , serves as an assistant with expertise in big-man development and team leadership. Other key assistants include Deividas Dulkys, a Lithuanian coach with European professional playing experience who specializes in wing player skills; Travis Bader, a shooting specialist who previously worked with the ; Connor Griffin, handling video analysis and scouting; , focused on player development; Dutch Gaitley, a veteran scout aiding talent evaluation; and Ryan Forehan-Kelly, managing strength and conditioning. This diverse group, assembled in May 2024, aims to rebuild the Nets' young core through specialized training. The 2025-26 Nets roster features a mix of established scorers, defensive anchors, and promising rookies, reflecting a youth-focused rebuild after trading away several veterans in prior offseasons. Key players include shooting guard Cam Thomas, a 23-year-old emerging star; center Nic Claxton, the team's defensive cornerstone; power forward Noah Clowney, a 2023 first-round pick developing into a stretch-four; shooting guard Terance Mann, acquired in the 2025 offseason and providing veteran steadiness; forward Ziaire Williams, contributing off the bench; and rookie forward/center Danny Wolf, selected 27th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. The roster emphasizes athleticism and perimeter shooting, with eight players under 24 years old. The Nets selected multiple first-round picks in the 2025 , including guards Egor Demin (#8), Nolan Traoré (#19), and Ben Saraf (#26), all international prospects with high-upside potential contributing limited minutes as rookies. Two-way contracts are held by forward , who splits time between the Nets and G League affiliate , providing frontcourt depth; and guard , offering backcourt versatility in limited NBA minutes. These arrangements allow flexibility for development without full roster commitments. Recent roster moves and injuries have shaped the early 2025-26 season, with the Nets holding a 1–10 record as of November 14, 2025, ranking 13th in the Eastern Conference. In the 2025 offseason, the team acquired forward Michael Porter Jr. from the Denver Nuggets in a multi-player trade, but traded him to the Chicago Bulls on November 4, 2025. The franchise also traded forward Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks in the 2024 offseason for a package of picks and young talent, shifting focus to internal growth. Injuries have compounded struggles: Cam Thomas is out with a left hamstring strain since late October; Haywood Highsmith is out with right knee surgery recovery; and Day'Ron Sharpe is day-to-day with a hamstring injury. These setbacks have forced reliance on rookies like Egor Demin and increased minutes for Jalen Wilson. As of January 2026, reports indicate that the Nets are seeking an unprotected first-round pick and other assets in any potential trade involving center Nic Claxton, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Potential interest in Claxton has been reported from teams including the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Detroit Pistons.

Records and achievements

Season-by-season performance

The Brooklyn Nets franchise, tracing its roots to the ABA's Americans in 1967, has compiled a varied record across nearly six decades, marked by two ABA championships and several NBA playoff runs, though no NBA titles. The team's ABA era featured early struggles followed by dominance in the mid-1970s, while the NBA years included a relocation to in 1977, another move to in 2012, and peaks like the 2001-03 Finals appearances under coach . A standout achievement came during the 2005-06 season, when the Nets tied the franchise record with a 14-game , though they fell short of the . The franchise's all-time regular-season record stands at 374-370 (.503) in the ABA and 1,681-2,279 (.425) in the NBA as of the end of the 2024-25 season. The following table provides a comprehensive season-by-season summary, including regular-season records, finishing positions (with division noted where applicable; the Nets have been in the Atlantic Division since 2004-05), and playoff outcomes. Data encompasses the full franchise history, with the 2025-26 season updated through November 14, 2025 (1-10 record, .091 , 5th in Atlantic Division, 13th in Eastern Conference, no yet).

ABA Seasons (1967-76)

SeasonTeam NameW-LPctFinishPlayoffs Outcome
1967-68New Jersey Americans36-42.4624th Eastern (tie)Did not qualify
1968-69New York Nets17-61.2185th EasternDid not qualify
1969-70New York Nets39-45.4644th EasternLost Eastern Semifinals vs. Kentucky, 3-4
1970-71New York Nets40-44.4764th EasternLost Eastern Semifinals vs. Virginia, 2-4
1971-72New York Nets44-40.5243rd EasternLost ABA Finals vs. Indiana, 2-4
1972-73New York Nets30-54.3574th EasternLost Eastern Semifinals vs. Carolina, 1-4
1973-74New York Nets55-29.6551st EasternWon ABA Championship vs. Utah, 4-1
1974-75New York Nets58-26.6901st Eastern (tie)Lost Eastern Semifinals vs. St. Louis, 1-4
1975-76New York Nets55-29.6552nd EasternWon ABA Championship vs. Denver, 4-2

NBA Seasons (1976-77 to 2025-26)

SeasonW-LPctFinish (Division/Conference)Playoffs Outcome
1976-7722-60.2685th Atlantic / 11th EastDid not qualify
1977-7824-58.2935th Atlantic / 11th EastDid not qualify
1978-7937-45.4514th Atlantic / 8th EastLost First Round vs. Philadelphia, 2-0
1979-8028-54.3415th Atlantic / 10th EastDid not qualify
1980-8117-65.2076th Atlantic / 14th EastDid not qualify
1981-8244-38.5373rd Atlantic / 5th EastLost First Round vs. Milwaukee, 3-2
1982-8335-47.4275th Atlantic / 8th EastDid not qualify
1983-8445-37.5493rd Atlantic / 5th EastLost First Round vs. Washington, 3-0
1984-8542-40.5123rd Atlantic / 6th EastLost First Round vs. Detroit, 3-2
1985-8639-43.4764th Atlantic / 7th EastDid not qualify
1986-8724-58.2936th Atlantic / 12th EastDid not qualify
1987-8842-40.5123rd Atlantic / 7th EastLost First Round vs. Detroit, 3-2
1988-8926-56.3176th Atlantic / 13th EastDid not qualify
1989-9017-65.2076th Atlantic / 14th EastDid not qualify
1990-9126-56.3176th Atlantic / 13th EastDid not qualify
1991-9240-42.4884th Atlantic / 7th EastLost First Round vs. Cleveland, 3-2
1992-9345-37.5493rd Atlantic / 6th EastLost First Round vs. Charlotte, 3-1
1993-9445-37.5493rd Atlantic / 6th EastLost First Round vs. New York, 3-1
1994-9530-52.3665th Atlantic / 10th EastDid not qualify
1995-9630-52.3666th Atlantic / 11th EastDid not qualify
1996-9726-56.3176th Atlantic / 12th EastDid not qualify
1997-9819-63.2327th Atlantic / 15th EastDid not qualify
1998-9916-34*.3207th Atlantic / 13th EastDid not qualify (lockout-shortened)
1999-0031-51.3786th Atlantic / 11th EastDid not qualify
2000-0126-56.3177th Atlantic / 13th EastDid not qualify
2001-0252-30.6342nd Atlantic / 3rd EastLost NBA Finals vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 4-2
2002-0349-33.5982nd Atlantic / 3rd EastLost NBA Finals vs. San Antonio, 4-2
2003-0447-35.5732nd Atlantic / 4th EastLost Second Round vs. Detroit, 4-3
2004-0542-40.5123rd Atlantic / 6th EastLost First Round vs. Miami, 4-0
2005-0649-33.5981st Atlantic / 4th EastWon First Round vs. Indiana, 4-2; Lost Conference Semifinals vs. Miami, 1-4 (14-game win streak)
2006-0741-41.5004th Atlantic / 7th EastLost First Round vs. Toronto, 4-2
2007-0834-48.4154th Atlantic / 9th EastDid not qualify
2008-0934-48.4153rd Atlantic / 10th EastDid not qualify
2009-1012-70.1465th Atlantic / 15th EastDid not qualify
2010-1124-58.2935th Atlantic / 12th EastDid not qualify
2011-1222-44.3335th Atlantic / 12th EastDid not qualify
2012-1349-33.5982nd Atlantic / 4th EastLost Second Round vs. Miami, 4-3
2013-1444-38.5373rd Atlantic / 6th EastLost First Round vs. Miami, 4-2
2014-1538-44.4634th Atlantic / 8th EastDid not qualify
2015-1621-61.2565th Atlantic / 15th EastDid not qualify
2016-1728-54.3414th Atlantic / 11th EastDid not qualify
2017-1828-54.3414th Atlantic / 11th EastDid not qualify
2018-1942-40.5123rd Atlantic / 7th EastLost First Round vs. Philadelphia, 4-1
2019-2035-34*.5074th Atlantic / 7th EastLost First Round vs. Toronto, 4-0 (COVID-shortened)
2020-2148-24.6672nd Atlantic / 3rd EastLost Second Round vs. Milwaukee, 4-3
2021-2244-38.5373rd Atlantic / 7th EastLost Second Round vs. Boston, 4-0
2022-2345-37.5494th Atlantic / 6th EastLost First Round vs. Philadelphia, 4-0
2023-2432-50.3904th Atlantic / 11th EastDid not qualify
2024-2526-56.3175th Atlantic / 12th EastDid not qualify
2025-261-10.0915th Atlantic / 13th East (as of Nov. 14)Ongoing

Individual awards and honors

The Brooklyn Nets franchise, encompassing its ABA origins as the New York Nets and subsequent NBA iterations, has produced several standout individual performers recognized for their excellence. In the ABA era, , known as "Dr. J," dominated the league, earning three consecutive awards from 1974 to 1976 while leading the team to championships in 1974 and 1976. Erving also secured two ABA Playoffs MVP honors in those championship years, highlighting his pivotal role in the franchise's early success. Other notable ABA accolades include All-Star selections for players like and Billy Melchionni, though Erving's contributions remain the most celebrated from this period. Transitioning to the NBA, no Nets player has won the league MVP or MVP awards, but earned widespread recognition during his tenure from 2001 to 2008. Kidd finished as the MVP runner-up in the 2002-03 season, garnered six All-NBA First Team selections (including two with the Nets in 2002 and 2004), and made 10 appearances overall, with five during his Nets years. He also earned All-Defensive First Team honors in 2002, 2003, and 2006, underscoring his elite two-way play that propelled the Nets to back-to-back appearances. Other key NBA honors include nods for franchise stalwarts like (three times, 1981-83), (four times, 1991-94), and more recently, (four times with the Nets, 2021-24), though no player has claimed the Defensive Player of the Year award. The franchise has retired eight numbers to honor its most impactful figures, reflecting contributions across eras:
NumberPlayerPositionYears with FranchiseRetirement Year
3G1990-931993
5G2001-082013
6CLeague-wide honor2022
15G/F1998-20042025
23John WilliamsonG1973-801990
25G1969-761990
32F1973-761989
52F1981-892016
These retirements, announced by the Nets organization, commemorate players' on-court legacies and off-court influence. Several Nets-affiliated figures have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, with honors tied to their time in the franchise. was enshrined in 1993 for his ABA dominance with the New York Nets, including leading the team to two titles. followed in 2018, recognized for his transformative leadership during the Nets' 2000s Finals runs. joined in 2024, celebrated for his high-flying dunks and All-Star caliber play from 1998 to 2004. Other inductees with Nets ties include (1991, one season in 1976-77), (2002, posthumously for his 1990s scoring prowess). Additionally, Petrović was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007 for his international impact during his Nets tenure.

Affiliations and media

G League team

The serve as the affiliate for the Brooklyn Nets, having been established as such in the 2016–17 season and based at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in . This partnership allows the Brooklyn Nets to develop young talent and provide playing opportunities for players on two-way contracts or those needing additional seasoning, with the team playing a full 50-game regular season schedule in the G League's Eastern Conference. In their 2017–18 , the posted a 27–23 record and reached the , following an inaugural 2016–17 of 17–33. The team achieved its greatest success in the 2018–19 , finishing with a league-best 34–16 record and capturing the Eastern Conference championship before advancing to the G League Finals, where they fell to the in three games. Subsequent seasons have seen strong performances, including a 23–9 mark in 2022–23 that secured another conference title, underscoring the affiliate's role in fostering high-level competition and player growth. Several players have successfully transitioned from the to the Brooklyn Nets' NBA roster, exemplifying the affiliate's developmental impact. , selected in the second round of the and signed to a standard rookie contract, honed his skills with Long Island during his rookie year, averaging 15.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game before earning a standard NBA contract and becoming a key starter for Brooklyn. Other notable call-ups include guards like , who was assigned to Long Island during the 2016–17 season and played 18 games there after appearing in 10 NBA games for the Nets, and , a in 2021–22 who appeared in 15 NBA games after strong G League performances. For the 2025–26 season, the opened with a 109–102 victory over the on November 7 at . As of November 14, 2025, the hold a 1–1 record after splitting their opening weekend. The schedule includes four home games hosted in , at as part of an ongoing partnership to expand the team's reach. Integration with Brooklyn's practices has been emphasized this year, with Jordi Fernandez assigning first-round rookies Ben Saraf, Nolan Traore, and Danny Wolf to for focused development while allowing them to participate in select Nets sessions to maintain alignment with NBA-level schemes and conditioning. This approach, supported by shared scouting and a coaching staff including Mfon Udofia, aims to accelerate the growth of Brooklyn's young core through targeted G League minutes and cross-level collaboration.

Broadcasting and coverage

The Brooklyn Nets' games are primarily broadcast locally on the , which has served as the team's exclusive regional television home for the 2025-26 season, marking its 24th consecutive year in that role. The partnership, originally established in 2002 when the team was known as the New Jersey Nets, provides comprehensive coverage including live game telecasts, pregame and postgame shows, and original programming focused on team news and analysis. reaches viewers across New York, , , and parts of through cable, satellite, and streaming providers such as , which added the network to its Pro base plan in a multi-year carriage agreement in 2024. For the 2025-26 season, serves as the lead play-by-play announcer for Nets telecasts on YES, having assumed primary duties prior to the campaign. Veteran broadcaster , who has been the team's longtime voice since 1995, is scaling back to approximately 10-15 games due to expanded national commitments with , where he handles lead NBA play-by-play. provides color analysis for all games, a role she has held since 2017, and also hosts pre- and postgame shows; she has earned New York Emmys for her work in 2020 and 2021. , Ian's son, calls select games when both Ruocco and his father are unavailable, while Jazmyn "Jazz" Triplett acts as the courtside reporter. Radio coverage of Nets games is handled by Audacy's WFAN (660 AM/101.9 FM), the team's flagship station since 2016, under a multi-year extension announced in 2023 that ensures continued broadcasts through at least the 2025-26 season. Chris Carrino provides play-by-play commentary, entering his 25th season in that role, paired with analyst Tim Capstraw, who joins him for his 23rd season; the duo has covered Nets games together since 2003. WFAN airs all regular-season and postseason games, along with hour-long pregame and postgame shows, and the broadcasts are also available via streaming on the Audacy app and NBA League Pass audio feeds. Nationally, select Nets games are televised as part of the NBA's new 11-year media rights agreement starting in 2025-26, which distributes coverage across (up to 80 regular-season games), (up to 100 games), and (up to 66 games). For example, has assigned teams like Mike Tirico with analysts and for marquee matchups, while features crews including Ruocco alongside analysts such as . Out-of-market viewers can access nearly all games via , with local blackouts for YES and WFAN markets; in-market streaming is available through the YES app for authenticated subscribers or services like and that carry YES.

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