Danny Wolf Makes His Presence Felt in Brooklyn’s Rotation Shuffle
The Brooklyn Nets are still figuring things out early in the 2025-26 season, especially when it comes to how they want to develop their rookie class. With a roster full of young talent, head coach Jordi Fernandez has been juggling minutes, experimenting with rotations, and giving his rookies a variety of looks. One of those rookies, forward Danny Wolf, is starting to make the most of his opportunities-and he’s doing it with the kind of poise and production that turns heads.
Wolf, the 21-year-old former Michigan standout, hasn’t seen consistent minutes this season. Most of his time has come in the G League, where the Nets are grooming several of their young players. But injuries recently opened up a window, and Wolf didn’t hesitate to step through it.
In Brooklyn’s 116-103 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday-their first home victory of the season-Wolf chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds in just 19 minutes. It was a step back in playing time from the 30 minutes he logged against Milwaukee two nights earlier, but his impact was still felt.
“It's kind of the mindset you have to have, especially as a rookie in my shoes,” Wolf said after the win. “Obviously, I had a pretty good game against Milwaukee, and then coming into tonight, Mike’s healthy again so you don't really know what it's going to look like.”
That “Mike” is Michael Porter Jr., who returned from injury Monday, reshuffling the wing rotation once again. Wolf saw limited action in the third quarter but was called upon to start the fourth-and he treated it like a chance to prove himself all over again.
“They always say just be ready when your name is called,” Wolf said. “I sat the whole third quarter, and then coach told me I was going to go in at the start of the fourth, and you look at that as an opportunity.”
That mindset is exactly what the Nets need from their young core. While Egor Demin and Drake Powell have been regulars in Fernandez’s rotation since opening night, others like Wolf, Ben Saraf, and Nolan Traore have been waiting for their shot. Over the past two games, Wolf has shown he might deserve a longer look.
The highlight of his night came on a thunderous dunk over Hornets forward Miles Bridges-a moment that not only energized the crowd but also served as a reminder of what Wolf brings to the table: size, athleticism, and a willingness to attack.
With the Nets getting healthier, there’s no guarantee Wolf will stick in the rotation. But performances like these give Fernandez something to think about. Wolf hasn’t just filled in-he’s made an impact, and that’s exactly what you want to see from a rookie trying to carve out a role.
Brooklyn’s youth movement is still taking shape, but if Wolf keeps showing up like this, he might force his way into the picture for good.