Grant Nelson keeps making the kind of case Brooklyn can’t ignore.
The Nets two-way forward put together a career night for Long Island on Tuesday, powering the G League club to a 142-106 win over the College Park Skyhawks. Nelson finished with 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting and ripped down a career-high 17 rebounds, while he and Dain Dainja combined for 30 of Long Island’s 59 boards. College Park finished with 37 rebounds.
A lot of Nelson’s damage came in the short roll alongside Ben Saraf. When College Park sent two defenders at Saraf as he drove, Nelson was left alone for easy finishes at the rim, and he made them count with authority. That kind of burst around the basket stands out for Brooklyn, where Day’Ron Sharpe and Moritz Wagner offer more touch than lift when there isn’t a clear runway to the rim.
It also hints at a missing piece for the Nets. Since trading Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls as part of the four-team Julius Randle trade, they’ve been without a true lob threat. Nelson’s ability to finish above the rim gives them a possible answer, at least in theory.
His work with Saraf could translate if Brooklyn ever calls him up, and there’s reason to think the fit could carry over with rookie Mikel Brown Jr. and Nolan Traoré too. Both young guards play with pace, come off screens quickly and can create advantages for themselves or teammates.
A promotion from the G League doesn’t look likely right now with Sharpe and Wagner healthy. But if injury hits, or if one of them sits on a back-to-back, Nelson could be next in line.
He already flashed in the preseason, where he averaged 6.8 points in eight minutes per game. His best showing came against the Washington Wizards on Oct. 12, when he scored nine points and grabbed four rebounds.
Tuesday wasn’t just about scoring and rebounding, either. Nelson added two blocks and showed solid rim protection through his timing and verticality.
That matters for a Brooklyn team that lacks a true shot-blocking presence. Sharpe and Wagner don’t fill that role, and Wagner has said he prefers to guard the perimeter.
Nelson now has three blocks in two games, and his G League start has been loud. He opened the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds in Long Island’s loss to the Greensboro Swarm last Wednesday, then followed it with an even bigger night against College Park.
The 24-year-old is building momentum fast, and he’s making a real argument for a call-up somewhere down the line.
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Egor Demin is expected to give the group a boost by returning after a six-game absence, which at least gives the Nets another option as they try to find some rhythm. The timing matters against a Pelicans team that has dropped three straight, but Brooklyn still has to sort out how much it can lean on its guards and how quickly the rotation can settle. For a team searching for traction, every absence changes the equation a little more. [Read more 🡒]
Nets Suddenly Have An Early Minutes Puzzle Fans Should Watch
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The bigger question now is how Brooklyn handles the next wave of availability, especially with the roster still being managed carefully on the fly. Jordi Fernandez had to navigate the late news on Traore, and the way the Nets balance those unexpected absences against Demins re-entry into the mix could shape the early rotation picture in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Mikel Brown Jr Is Forcing A Nets Decision Fans Will Watch
Mikel Brown Jr. has started to make the kind of quiet climb that gets noticed around the league, even if the minutes have been limited. After a strong two-game stretch, the Nets rookie guard moved up to No. 8 on NBA.coms rookie ladder, and his recent play has given Brooklyn a little more reason to keep watching closely. He is averaging 12.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, production that stands out even with the restrictions on his workload.
Jordi Fernandez has already shown some trust in the rookie, and that matters for a team trying to balance development with caution. Browns role is still being managed carefully, but the way he has handled the opportunities he has been given suggests the Nets may soon have to make a tougher call on how much more they can keep him on a short leash. [Read more 🡒]