The Athletic NBA Daily Do the Nets have any hope?
Sep 18, 2025
Mike Smeltz, the former host of The Glue Guys and ex-producer at The Athletic, joins to preview the Brooklyn Nets season. He dives into the impact of acquiring Michael Porter Jr., highlighting his potential to elevate the team's competitiveness. Smeltz also discusses the optimism surrounding Cam Thomas and the promising rookie Yegor/Igor. The conversation shifts to potential trades, including Terrence Mann and Nick Claxton, delving into the complexities of the Nets' rebuilding strategy and future draft capital.
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MPJ Is The Nets' New Offensive Anchor
- Michael Porter Jr. is the Nets' clear top shot-creator and will dramatically raise the team's offensive usage.
- Mike Smeltz believes MPJ's scoring ceiling makes him the Nets' most impactful addition despite off-court media noise.
Brooklyn Still Geared Toward Tanking
- The Nets remain committed to tanking and it's mainly a question of how aggressively they'll do it.
- Smeltz says organizational choices last year indicate they will pursue another poor record to chase draft upside.
Yegor Excites With Ball Skills And Passion
- Smeltz raves about rookie Yegor (Igor) as a ball-handling, basketball-savvy prospect who excites him.
- He highlights Yegor's Summer League shooting and passion for the game as reasons for optimism.