Noah Clowney’s rise has quietly become one of Brooklyn’s most interesting storylines, and the timing could hardly be better for the Nets.
The 22-year-old forward is headed toward restricted free agency next season, which puts Brooklyn in a strong position to control what happens next. If Clowney keeps trending upward, the Nets can either keep him in the fold or match any outside offer sheet that comes his way. If he breaks out, a much bigger payday could be waiting.
The numbers already show a player moving fast. Clowney has improved in each of his seasons with Brooklyn, climbing from 5.8 points per game as a rookie to 12.3 last season.
His playing time has grown just as sharply, jumping from 16.1 minutes to 27, while his games played increased from 23 to 66. That kind of steady climb matters, especially for a former 21st overall pick now on a cost-controlled deal worth $5.4 million next season.
This summer, Clowney is attacking the parts of his game that still need work. He’s focused on dribbling and finishing through contact, and he said he wants to get better at playing through bumps when defenders meet him in the lane.
"Sometimes I get caught on one foot instead of, you know, bump. I can play on two," Clowney said.
"Really like the second level move, like bump, step through, things like that. If I can get better at that, I think that'll help me too."
That push matters because Clowney’s scoring bursts last season often came with a heavy reliance on the three-point shot. He had eight games with at least 20 points, but the pattern in those outings was clear: the perimeter shot did a lot of the lifting.
He shot 33-for-61 from beyond the arc, good for 54.1%, and 23-for-46 from inside the arc, which came out to 50%. The two-point efficiency is a positive sign, but he topped five made two-pointers in only two of those eight 20-point games, against the Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz.
Restricted free agency has been a tricky market for players this offseason, which only adds another layer to Clowney’s situation. Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson reportedly wants more than $25 million annually, though Tony Jones reported he has been offered a five-year, $70 million deal, or $14 million per year. Multiple reports have also said Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren wants a maximum rookie extension, while Detroit is not willing to go above $50 million for the 22-year-old All-Star.
For Brooklyn, Clowney’s continued growth could turn a promising young piece into one of the most important contract decisions on the roster.
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