The Brooklyn Nets are set to unveil a trio of new additions Saturday afternoon, but one major name won’t be taking the floor - and that’s a break for Brooklyn.
Anthony Davis, the newly acquired big man for the Washington Wizards, has been ruled out ahead of Saturday’s game, meaning the Nets can breathe a little easier - at least for now. Davis, a former NBA champion and one of the headline moves of this year’s trade deadline, will have to wait a bit longer to make his Wizards debut as his trade clears and he gets settled in D.C.
That’s welcome news for head coach Jordi Fernandez and the Nets, who are already navigating their own roster shakeup. Brooklyn’s front office was active at the deadline, acquiring Josh Minott, Ochai Agbaji, and Hunter Tyson - all of whom are now cleared and available for Saturday’s home matchup.
The trio sat out Thursday’s game against Orlando while their trades processed, but now, they’re ready to suit up in Nets gear for the first time. Whether they see significant minutes remains to be seen, but expect them to come off the bench as Fernandez eases them into the rotation.
Brooklyn didn’t just bring these players in for depth - there’s real upside here, especially with Minott. While the move helped the Nets manage their cap sheet, Minott stands out as more than just a financial maneuver. At 6-foot-8 with a seven-foot wingspan, he brings the kind of positional size and defensive versatility Brooklyn has been targeting since last summer’s draft.
Minott has shown flashes of disruptive defense at multiple stops and continues to refine his offensive game - particularly as a shooter and finisher. He’s the kind of player who can plug into multiple lineups and give the Nets flexibility on both ends of the floor. And while he may have been a cap casualty elsewhere, Brooklyn sees a potential contributor.
Agbaji and Tyson also offer intriguing depth. Agbaji, a former lottery pick, brings perimeter defense and athleticism, while Tyson adds shooting and size on the wing. If Fernandez can find the right roles for them, this group could quietly become a key part of Brooklyn’s second unit down the stretch.
As for the Wizards, they’ve been one of the more aggressive teams this trade cycle, having already landed Trae Young earlier in the deadline period. Adding Davis to the mix signals a clear shift in direction - Washington is looking to build something real. But with Davis sidelined for now, the Nets catch a bit of a break.
Saturday’s game will be the first chance to see what this retooled Brooklyn roster looks like. No Davis on the other side, but plenty of new faces ready to make an impression in black and white.