After stumbling out of the gate with a rough 0-7 start, the Brooklyn Nets have finally found a bit of rhythm-and it’s come during a manageable stretch in their schedule. Over their last six games, the Nets have gone 4-2, picking up wins over the Hornets, Bulls, Pelicans and, in a statement performance, the Bucks.
And that Bucks win wasn’t just a feel-good moment-it was a 45-point demolition at Barclays Center that sent a jolt through the league and helped pad some impressive advanced metrics. Over this recent stretch, Brooklyn ranks 14th in offensive rating (116.4), second in defensive rating (104.8), and fourth in net rating (11.6). For a team that looked lost just a few weeks ago, that’s a major turnaround.
The surge has nudged the Nets’ record to 7-11, and it’s earned them a bump to No. 23 in the latest NBA power rankings. That may not sound like much, but considering where they started, it’s a notable climb.
Still, this is a franchise in the midst of a rebuild, and with the trade deadline looming, the question now becomes: how long will this version of the Nets stay intact?
Brooklyn’s front office has to be encouraged by the team’s improved chemistry and competitiveness, but there’s a bigger picture at play. That 4-2 stretch has actually hurt their draft lottery position, dropping them to sixth in the standings. They’re now just 1.5 games behind the Clippers (whose pick is owed to the Thunder), Pacers, and Kings-all tied for third in the lottery race.
So, the Nets are walking a tightrope. On one hand, it’s good to see a young team start to gel.
On the other, this franchise is still focused on asset accumulation and long-term development. The trade deadline could be the pivot point.
Brooklyn has a deep rotation, and it’s been tough to find consistent minutes for their record-setting five rookie first-round picks. That’s a logjam that needs clearing.
Enter the veterans.
Michael Porter Jr. is likely to draw the most interest. He’s been lights out this season-averaging 25.6 points and 3.2 assists while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from deep, and over 80 percent from the line. That’s elite efficiency for a high-volume scorer, and contending teams will be watching closely.
Nic Claxton is another name to watch. He’s quietly having one of the best offensive starts of his career, putting up 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 55.2 percent from the floor. His combination of size, passing, and interior touch gives Brooklyn a versatile frontcourt piece who could be valuable to the right team-or to the Nets’ future, depending on how they play this.
Looking ahead, the schedule tightens up in a big way. Brooklyn faces the Heat, Raptors, 76ers, Timberwolves, Warriors, and Rockets in their next six games-a gauntlet that ranks as the eighth-toughest remaining slate in the league. That stretch could naturally push the Nets back down the standings, which, from a lottery standpoint, isn’t the worst outcome.
The next few weeks will be telling. Brooklyn has shown signs of life, but whether they keep pushing forward or pivot toward a full-on youth movement will depend on how the front office navigates the trade deadline and how this roster holds up against tougher competition.
Either way, the Nets are no longer sleepwalking through the season. There's purpose now-whether it's in the win column or the war room.