The Brooklyn Nets made some subtle but telling moves ahead of Thursday’s 3 PM ET trade deadline - not the headline-grabbing blockbuster some fans might’ve hoped for, but a series of roster shuffles that speak volumes about where this team is heading.
The most notable move? The Nets waived guard Tyrese Martin just hours before their 118-98 loss to the Orlando Magic. It wasn’t a total shock - Martin had been teetering on the edge of the roster for much of the season - but it still marked the end of a chapter for a player who had carved out a role through sheer grit and consistency.
Martin, 26, had been averaging 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 39.2% from the field and 33.6% from beyond the arc in 37 appearances this season. Solid, if not spectacular, but certainly serviceable - especially for a player who entered the league as the 51st pick in the 2022 draft and worked his way up from a Two-Way contract to a full NBA deal.
His release was part of a broader roster recalibration. Brooklyn brought in three players on Thursday - forward Hunter Tyson from the Nuggets, forward Josh Minott from the Celtics, and guard Ochai Agbaji from the Raptors - and had to clear space to stay within the league’s 15-player limit for standard contracts. That meant Martin, Cam Thomas, and Haywood Highsmith were all let go.
Interestingly, Tyson - one of the players acquired - was also waived shortly after the team’s loss to Orlando. So while the Nets technically added three players, they only held onto two, choosing to prioritize flexibility and future assets over immediate impact.
The trade with Denver brought in Tyson and a 2032 second-round pick in exchange for a 2026 second-rounder - a long-term play that reflects Brooklyn’s current strategy: accumulate assets, keep the books clean, and stay nimble for whatever comes next.
Martin’s exit, though, deserves a moment. This is a player who didn’t just hang around - he earned his minutes through consistent effort and growth.
Nets assistant coach Fernandez praised Martin’s work ethic, saying, “This summer, he was the best player in the gym for the most part. His consistency was amazing, seeing him grow and going from the Two-Way to the guaranteed contract.”
That kind of praise doesn’t come lightly, and it speaks to the kind of presence Martin was in the locker room - a grinder, a pro, someone who brought it every day. His journey from late second-round pick to standard contract is a reminder that in the NBA, it’s not just about talent - it’s about staying ready, seizing your moment, and making the most of every opportunity.
The Nets may not have made waves at the deadline, but they did make moves that align with a team still figuring out its identity in the post-superstar era. And while the names on the roster may change, the values - hard work, development, and adaptability - remain at the core.
As for Martin, wherever he lands next, he’ll bring with him the same quiet determination that got him this far. And that’s the kind of player you never count out.