Danny Wolf’s rookie season has been a study in growth - not just in numbers, but in nuance. For a young forward still carving out his NBA identity, the biggest leaps don’t always show up in the box score. But when the minutes are there, the progress becomes hard to miss.
With Michael Porter Jr. sidelined, Wolf got another chance to show what he can do, earning his eighth start of the season Monday night against the Bulls at Barclays Center. And while his season averages - 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists on 40.1% shooting - might not jump off the page, the story shifts when you zoom in on his extended run.
In the 15 games where he’s logged 20 or more minutes heading into Monday, Wolf has averaged 11.6 points, 5.7 boards, and 2.7 assists, while hitting 1.6 threes per game. That’s not just filler production - that’s rotation-caliber impact.
Take Saturday’s win over the Wizards as a prime example. Wolf delivered arguably his most complete game in months: 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, seven rebounds, six assists, and a 73% true shooting percentage - all in under 20 minutes.
He played with poise, purpose, and a clear understanding of the moment. He got downhill with confidence, made smart reads, and didn’t force the action.
The game slowed down for him, and he responded by speeding up the offense.
“When you have the ball more, it’s easier to find a rhythm,” Wolf said postgame. “Reads look easier and quicker. You know the shots you want, and you can pass on the ones you don’t.”
It’s been a month-to-month learning curve for Wolf. Early in the season, he was mostly playing off the ball, and things felt rushed. Now, with more touches and a clearer role, he’s starting to find that balance between aggression and control - the push and pull that defines so many young players’ development.
“There will be games where that’s my role,” Wolf said, referring to playing off the ball. “And when coach gives me the ball and trusts me, it’s on me to make the right play.
I know I’m a work in progress, especially off the ball. There’s a lot to improve.”
That kind of self-awareness is exactly what head coach Jordi Fernández wants to see. And more importantly, it’s showing up in the numbers. Wolf’s assist-to-turnover ratio is a solid 2-to-1 - a strong mark for a rookie forward still getting used to the pace and spacing of the league.
“The most important thing is his approach,” Fernández said. “It’s been the same - get the best out of each game and keep learning and growing.
He’s always been a good passer, but maybe not always an efficient playmaker, and now he’s gotten there pretty quickly. That’s development.”
Fernández also pointed to Wolf’s finishing, rebounding, and verticality on defense as areas where he’s taken real strides. But what stood out most in that Wizards game wasn’t just the numbers - it was the intent behind them.
“He was aggressive getting into the paint and spraying the ball,” Fernández said. “Seven for 11, that line looks great, but seven rebounds is also very, very good. Danny was a big part of that group playing so well.”
And yes, even the plus-minus - often a noisy stat - told a clear story that night. Wolf’s group simply clicked.
Still, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Wolf’s been open about the shooting slump he’s battled in recent weeks.
And as any shooter will tell you, the mental side of that struggle can be just as tough as the mechanics. But Fernández isn’t concerned.
He sees a player who’s putting in the work, asking the right questions, and buying into the process.
“There are habits we have to break, but he’s doing a great job,” Fernández said. “He wants to understand why we’re doing certain things, he buys into it, and he’s very smart.
Right now, he’s getting the rhythm of what a good shot is and how he can create. We want his assist-to-turnover ratio to be elite because he’s a good passer, a good rebounder, and we know he’s a good shooter.”
That last part is key. The Nets believe in Wolf’s shot - even if it hasn’t always fallen lately. And so does Wolf.
“It’s obvious I’ve been in a slump the last few weeks,” he said. “The coaching staff is big on shooting it every time the team creates a look for you.
Whether you think it’s a good shot or not, you’ve got to take it. It’s a learning curve I’m trying to get over.”
He went 2-for-4 from deep against Washington - a small but meaningful step in the right direction. For Wolf, it’s about trusting the work, trusting the process, and continuing to fire with confidence.
“They’re going to fall,” he said. “I trust my work, I have confidence in my shot, my coaches have confidence too. It’s a step in the right direction, but you’ve got to keep shooting.”
That’s the mindset of a player who’s not just trying to stick - but to grow. And if the last few weeks are any indication, Danny Wolf is figuring things out. One possession at a time.