Brooklyn Nets forward Josh Minott, who just put up a solid 10.8 points per game last season, isn’t resting on those numbers, insisting he’s “never settled in” ahead of their preseason opener against the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday. This 23-year-old, coming back to the Nets after joining them for the second half of the 2025-26 campaign, is clearly locked in and ready to fight for his spot, even with some big names joining the squad.
Minott’s Defensive Fire and What He’s Bringing
Minott isn’t here to coast. He’s got a clear vision for his role, echoing what he’s done for his last two teams: pure defensive intensity. After Monday’s practice, he laid it out: “It’s more just defensive intensity. Being able to be a guy that can come in and disrupt the game defensively, crashing the basket, hitting open shots, being ready for any opportunity.” That’s the kind of hustle you love to see! Tuesday’s preseason game against the Hornets is gonna be his first real chance to prove that two-way impact.
He also dropped some wisdom for anyone paying attention. “One thing I’ve learned in my four years going on five, you’re never settled in. I would never get complacent, you can never be complacent. I feel like that’s advice to everybody in any profession.” Talk about a guy with his head on straight. Coach Jordi Fernandez clearly sees it, too, saying, “Josh, he’s put a lot of work and effort through the summer and now in training camp and I expect good things to happen.”
Roster Crunch: Battling for Bench Minutes After Key Additions
The path to a consistent role isn’t easy for Minott, especially with the Nets making moves this offseason. They traded for forward Julius Randle this summer, which pretty much solidifies Minott’s spot as a bench option, assuming he even makes it into Coach Fernandez’s rotation. And Randle isn’t the only new face; the Nets also added guard Keon Ellis and center Mo Wagner, which means more competition for minutes.
Last season, Minott played 16 games, averaging 10.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. He shot 49.1% from the field and an impressive 39.5% from beyond the arc in 19.3 minutes per contest. Those are solid numbers for a guy potentially coming off the bench. The big question is whether he can maintain that efficiency and defensive disruption against a deeper roster.
Tuesday’s preseason clash with the Hornets isn’t just another game; it’s Minott’s first shot to prove he’s more than just a bench option. Will his “never settled” mentality translate into a game-disrupting performance, and can he carve out a significant role despite the new faces? Nets fans are about to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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