The Brooklyn Nets kept things quiet at the 2026 trade deadline - and for a franchise that’s seen its fair share of deadline drama in recent years, that’s saying something. No blockbuster deals.
No surprise moves. Just a few under-the-radar additions and one notable departure.
After weeks of speculation surrounding Michael Porter Jr., the Nets stood pat on the trade front. But that doesn’t mean they were completely inactive.
Brooklyn waived three players, including Cam Thomas, whose next stop is Milwaukee, per reports. It’s a move that signals where the Nets are right now: in a rebuild, reshaping the roster with an eye toward the future rather than swinging for the fences.
Instead of chasing stars, Brooklyn made two low-cost, low-risk pickups that could pay dividends down the line. First came Josh Minott, acquired from the Boston Celtics for the minimum $110,000 in cash considerations. Then came Ochai Agbaji, along with his expiring contract, a 2032 second-round pick, and $3.5 million in cash from Toronto.
These are the kinds of moves rebuilding teams make - small bets on young wings who haven’t quite found their footing yet but bring the right tools to the table. Both Minott and Agbaji are off-ball players who don’t need touches to make an impact.
They hang their hats on defense, hustle, and the ability to knock down spot-up threes when called upon. For a team like Brooklyn, that’s valuable real estate.
We’ve seen this before from the Nets. Back in August 2024, they took a similar swing on Ziaire Williams, a move that’s quietly worked out in their favor. Now, they’re hoping lightning can strike again.
Minott, the 45th pick in the 2022 draft, had mostly been a G League fixture with the Iowa Wolves before finally getting a real shot in Boston this season. He logged 526 minutes - more than his entire time with the Timberwolves - and showed flashes of becoming a legit 3-and-D contributor.
At 6'9" with a plus wingspan, he’s got the physical profile NBA teams covet on the wing. And while Jordan Walsh eventually overtook him in the Celtics’ rotation, Minott made enough of an impression to earn this next opportunity.
He certainly sounds like a player who’s ready to buy into Brooklyn’s defensive-first culture.
“I’d say I kind of line up perfectly with the core values here in terms of defensive pressure and just being disruptive,” Minott said at his introductory press conference. “My shooting has come a long way, and I feel like that’s something I can confidently list as one of my strengths.”
That confidence will be key. Minott’s on a $2.5 million deal with a team option for next season - not a huge number, but one that could become a bargain if he makes a strong impression over the final stretch of the season. And judging by his mindset, he’s ready to scrap for every minute.
“I’d say it was just the hunger I was playing with [in Boston],” Minott said. “That’s something I’m planning on definitely bringing here - the hunger and desperation. I feel like that’s something the organization will definitely value.”
There’s also a bit of personality to Minott. Born in Florida, he represents Jamaica internationally, and yes, the nickname “Why Not” is both a mantra and a handy guide to pronouncing his last name.
If he starts hitting threes early, fans might be asking how Brooklyn got him for essentially nothing. If he struggles, well, that’s the gamble.
But the defense? That’s real.
As for Agbaji, he arrives in Brooklyn after a whirlwind start to his NBA career. Drafted 14th overall by Cleveland in 2022, he was shipped to Utah before ever playing a game as part of the Donovan Mitchell trade. Then it was on to Toronto, and now to Brooklyn - his fourth team in less than two seasons.
Agbaji’s best stretch came last season when he shot nearly 40% from deep on solid volume. This year?
That number has cratered to 18.5%, though it’s worth noting his minutes in Toronto were inconsistent at best. Still, the potential is there.
“I think it’s just a matter of rhythm,” Agbaji said. “The conversation with Jordi [Fernández] has been good. He told me he wants me here, sees a lot more in me and what I can bring to this team.”
Fernández echoed that sentiment, pointing to what both new additions can bring on the defensive end.
“Every time you can apply ball pressure, whether it’s in the full-court or the half-court, you can create turnovers, deflections, make the other team’s offense uncomfortable,” Fernández said. “We believe those guys can do that, and I’m excited to watch them play.”
Agbaji, at 6'5", brings a bit more muscle to the wing than Minott. He’s known for his closeouts and physicality - a welcome injection of athleticism for a Nets team that’s been lacking it.
And there’s some built-in chemistry here, too. Agbaji played three seasons at Kansas alongside Jalen Wilson, winning a national championship together.
“I actually knew him before he came to Kansas,” Agbaji said. “I was one of his hosts on his recruiting visit.
So now, ending up with him as a teammate again is great. It just feels even more like home here.”
Neither Minott nor Agbaji suited up in Brooklyn’s recent blowout win over the Wizards, but that should change soon. Their next shot could come Monday night against the Bulls.
For now, the Nets are betting on fit, upside, and a little bit of hunger. No big names, no splashy trades - just a couple of wings with the tools to grow into something more. And in a season that’s all about building for the future, that’s exactly the kind of move that makes sense.