Latest news with #JordiFernandez
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2 days ago
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Nets HC Jordi Fernandez talks Michael Porter Jr. after Nuggets trade
The Brooklyn Nets shook up the roster ahead of the 2025-26 season by trading forward Cam Johnson to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for forward Michael Porter Jr. and Denver's 2032 first-round pick. While Brooklyn had already surprised many by the strategy ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, it's clear that head coach Jordi Fernandez sees the value in a player like Porter. "Mike brings positional size, rebounding and a lot of scoring in different ways. Obviously, I've been with Mike in Denver for five years, five of my six, and it's exciting to have him back," Fernandez during his ESPN interview during the team's 90-81 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Las Vegas Summer League. The Nets traded for Porter in the early days of free-agency as they look to add draft capital while evaluating other players. "Mike, he (ESPN's play-by-play commentator Marc Kestecher) used the word veteran, don't forget that Mike is 27 years old, and he'll be the oldest guy in our roster," Fernandez continued. "The next guy will be (center) Nic Claxton, so it tells you how young we are, how much we can grow as a group. These guys, they're ready to work and compete." As Fernandez noted on the broadcast, Porter does bring size (6-foot-10), rebounding (6.4 rebounds per game over his six-year career), and scoring (16.2 points per game career average) to the Nets moving forward. Brooklyn will be looking for Porter to do what he did in Denver, if not more, given that he is essentially replacing Johnson within the offense. Not only will Porter have to bring his "A" game on the court, but he will also have to provide a veteran presence for a Brooklyn team that is on track to be one of the youngest teams in the league once again. Fernandez understands that players like Porter, Claxton, and forward Terance Mann, who is 29 years old, will be looked to as the voices of the team and he is looking forward to see how Porter fits on the team. This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets HC Jordi Fernandez talks Michael Porter Jr. after Nuggets trade
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5 days ago
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Nuggets' Cam Johnson speaks on Nets, head coach Jordi Fernandez
The Brooklyn Nets made one of the most surprising moves of the 2025 NBA offseason when they traded forward Cam Johnson to the Denver Nuggets for forward Michael Porter Jr. Brooklyn traded Johnson away for a player that can be in the starting lineup for next season along with a 2032 first-round pick, but Johnson believes in the Nets and head coach Jordi Fernandez. "I have so much respect for that coaching staff in Brooklyn. I really appreciated him. I really love playing for Jordi. I think Jordi has a tremendously bright future in this league," Johnson said during his introductory press conference with the Nuggets. Johnson played for Fernandez during the 2024-25 season when Brooklyn finished with a lowly 26-56 record, but Fernandez has been receiving praise from many around the NBA for his coaching prowess. "I think Brooklyn has a bright future, too. Obviously, I I'll keep up with them," Johnson continued. "You guys understand this by now, like the NBA, once you're in it, you you develop those relationships. They don't just leave when you get traded, they don't just disappear. Those are my guys for sure." Johnson came to the Nets during the 2022-23 season as part of the trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns after Brooklyn decided to end the era led by Durant and Kyrie Irving. Brooklyn saw Johnson evolve his game to the point that Denver believed that trading for Johnson was part of what they needed to do for the team to pursue a title while Nikola Jokic is still in his prime. Johnson has always spoken positively about the Nets and what the organization is doing under Fernandez and general manager Sean Marks, but it's another thing when he is saying the same things in front of the media that covers the Nuggets. Johnson had the best season of his career last season for Brooklyn and yet, he looks back on his time with the franchise fondly. This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nuggets' Cam Johnson speaks on Nets, head coach Jordi Fernandez
Yahoo
13-07-2025
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Nets' Nolan Traore the ‘definition of speed' in impressive Summer League debut
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Nolan Traore reacts after being selected as the 19th pick by the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images The post Nets' Nolan Traore the 'definition of speed' in impressive Summer League debut appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Brooklyn Nets' historic rookie class made its Summer League debut on Thursday. While Egor Demin headlined the team's NBA-record five first-round picks, Nolan Traore stole the show during a 90-81 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Advertisement Traore was Brooklyn's only rookie to crack double figures, posting 13 points and three assists on 3-of-5 shooting from the field and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. The French point guard and No. 19 pick was a walking paint touch, using his blazing speed to penetrate Oklahoma City's defense. 'I think Nolan's speed translates very well,' said Nets Summer League coach Steve Hetzel. 'We definitely put him in some actions where he could throw it and get it back and try to attack the rim. I thought he handled himself well with the physicality. I think, for all of our rookies, that's something that's gonna come over time. Getting in the weight room and their bodies maturing. So I look forward to that.' Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, who has called Traore the 'fastest player in the draft,' offered similar praise for the rookie's skill set. Advertisement 'He's the definition of speed,' Fernandez said during an interview on EPSN's broadcast. 'We believe he's gonna help us with that pace in the fullcourt. He can really touch the paint. He's been playing against grown men now for a few years, and I think that makes a difference. He's showing it here. He touches the paint to get to the rim or spray for our teammates. We'll need that pace, and he'll make an impact for sure.' Traore's dynamic ball-handling ability was on full display as he orchestrated Brooklyn's offense for most of Thursday's game. Nolan Traore impresses at point guard in Nets Summer League debut Franck Faugere/Presse Sports via Imagn Images His ability to touch the paint is central to how the Nets want to play offensively. Advertisement 'We want to establish a way to play, how we play as a Brooklyn Nets team,' Hetzel said of the team's goals at Summer League. 'We try to adhere to our staples as much as we can: pace and space, paint touches, and ball reversals. We want everyone to have that mindset.' The degree to which Nolan Traore dominated Brooklyn's ball-handling responsibilities on Thursday was stark. Demin played primarily on the wing, finishing with eight points, four rebounds and zero assists on 2-of-5 shooting. All of his shot attempts were three-pointers. While Traore dominated the ball on Thursday, Nets fans should expect a more balanced approach moving forward. After all, Demin's elite skill in college was his pick-and-roll playmaking. Both players will need to improve as three-point shooters to complement each other when off the ball. Demin was encouraging in that respect on Thursday, knocking down two deep threes off the catch. Meanwhile, Traore shot 1-of-3 from distance. Advertisement Traore's impressive performance came despite him rolling his ankle in the first quarter. The 19-year-old said he should be good to go when the Nets return to action on Sunday against the Washington Wizards. 'That was a little bit hard because I rolled my ankle really early,' Traore said. 'It took a while. You've got to go into it quickly and be ready. So it wasn't that long [of a break]… I was a little bit [sore] on the break with the ankle. But it's all right. I'll be right back on Sunday.' Related: Nets' Egor Demin reveals 'deep' revelation following Summer League debut Related: Brooklyn Nets' biggest mistake in 2025 NBA free agency
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13-07-2025
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Jordi Fernandez reveals what Michael Porter Jr. will bring to Nets
The post Jordi Fernandez reveals what Michael Porter Jr. will bring to Nets appeared first on ClutchPoints. After seven seasons with the Denver Nuggets, Michael Porter Jr. is embracing a new opportunity with the Brooklyn Nets. The change of scenery reunites him with a familiar face in Jordi Fernandez. The Nets head coach revealed what the 6-foot-10 forward will bring to the table. Advertisement 'Mike brings positional size, rebounding, and a lot of scoring in different ways,' Fernandez said on the ESPN broadcast of Brooklyn's first Summer League game. 'Obviously, I had been with Mike in Denver for five of my six years, and it's exciting to have him back. Using the word veteran, don't forget that Mike is 27 years old and he'll be the oldest guy on our roster. The next guy I think will be Nic Claxton at 25. So that tells you how young we are and how much we can grow as a group. These guys are ready to work and compete.' Porter Jr. joined the Nets alongside an unprotected 2032 Nuggets first-round pick in a trade for Cam Johnson. The 27-year-old recently said that he felt his ceiling had 'plateaued' in Denver, and he is excited for what the future holds with Brooklyn. Michael Porter Jr. reunited with Jordi Fernandez following trade to Nets Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Porter Jr. averaged 17.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 49/40/78 shooting splits over his last three seasons. However, he was limited to a complimentary role alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Advertisement The 27-year-old should have ample opportunity to expand his offensive game with the Nets, who are in the early stages of a rebuild. Outside of Cam Thomas, who remains unsigned in restricted free agency, Brooklyn's most proven commodities are Nic Claxton and Terance Mann. Neither is known as a high-level shot-creator. As Fernandez noted, Porter Jr. enters the mix as one of Brooklyn's lone veterans. Cam Johnson emerged as the most respected voice in the Nets' locker room last season. Porter Jr.'s ability to replace that leadership will be critical for a team featuring an NBA-record five rookie first-round picks. Related: 6 Kevin Durant decisions that tarnished his legacy, ranked Related: Nuggets' Cam Johnson reflects on Nets tenure during emotional goodbye
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13-07-2025
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Nets' Jordi Fernandez teases Michael Porter Jr.'s role ‘he's never done before'
The post Nets' Jordi Fernandez teases Michael Porter Jr.'s role 'he's never done before' appeared first on ClutchPoints. Michael Porter Jr. was seeking an expanded role with the Denver Nuggets in recent seasons. His trade to the Brooklyn Nets, where he'll reunite with former Nuggets assistant Jordi Fernandez, will give him just that. Advertisement 'He's excited to be here. I'm excited to reunite with him. We have history together. I loved my time with Michael,' Fernandez said on Saturday at Summer League. 'He's going to be asked to do things that he's never done before. Like, probably his usage and the shots he's going to take. And I think that's exciting. It should be exciting for him. He's going to work for it. I know the type of person he is. I was very happy to see him face-to-face today.' The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 17.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 49/40/78 shooting splits over his last three seasons. However, with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray orchestrating the Nuggets' offense, he was primarily limited to a spot-up role. Jordi Fernandez outlines Michael Porter Jr. expectations after Nets-Nuggets trade Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Porter Jr. felt he had more to offer offensively than what he showed in the Mile High City. Advertisement 'I'm really excited for this next chapter out here in Brooklyn,' he said in his first comments following the trade. 'Over there with Denver, I felt like my ceiling had kind of plateaued. We just have a way of playing, you know, how Joker players, how Jamal plays — that two-man game is very potent. 'That's how we play[ed], and I'm so appreciative of the way we play[ed], we ended up winning a Championship. But I do feel like my ceiling in Denver kind of plateaued a little bit, and I'm excited for this next chapter in Brooklyn, for sure… I'm excited to expand my game and be able to do what I do.' As Fernandez noted, there will be no shortage of opportunities for Michael Porter Jr. to expand his offensive game next season. Brooklyn will have a severe shot-creation deficiency. The team's only proven offensive engine is Cam Thomas, who remains unsigned in restricted free agency. Porter Jr. will also be tasked with filling a leadership role for the rebuilding Nets. He (27) and fellow trade acquisition Terance Mann (28) are the team's oldest players. The example they set for Brooklyn's NBA-record five rookie first-round picks will be critical. Advertisement Porter Jr. has reached the pinnacle of NBA success, winning a title with the Nuggets in 2023. Johnson, who emerged as the most respected voice in Brooklyn's locker room last season, feels his replacement's championship experience will prove valuable. 'I wish Mike the best of luck going there, figuring the situation out, and helping contribute to winning basketball. It's never to be taken lightly when you add championship pedigree to a team,' he said on The Young Man and the Three podcast. Fernandez feels the same. 'I know he's going to bring a lot of his work ethic is very good. He's a pro. He works really hard. So that's going to be good for the young guys to see a guy like him who won a championship, and why,' the head coach said. 'That's why I'm very comfortable, because I've seen him get to where he got. [Seeing] his career year [in 2020-21], how he scores the ball, the work that he puts in every day… I know who he is and how good he is gonna be. And I want him to lead being Michael Porter, he doesn't need to be anybody else. I think he'll be very, very good for the group.' Advertisement While Porter Jr.'s role will be a main storyline for the Nets next season, he wasn't the prized possession of the trade. That label belongs to Denver's unprotected 2032 first-round pick. Multiple league executives told ClutchPoints the Nuggets' last tradable first-rounder was a sought-after asset over the last year. Brooklyn received the pick as compensation for Johnson and absorbing the remaining two years and $79 million on Porter Jr.'s contract. Some pundits, such as the Ringer's Bill Simmons, considered that a steep price following Johnson's career year. The veteran forward averaged 18.8 points and 3.4 assists on 48/39/89 shooting splits in 2024-25. While Fernandez was sad to see Johnson go, he felt the Nets did well for themselves. 'It's a tough part of the business because CJ was a big part of what we're doing,' he said. 'You don't want to see him go, but at the same time, we got a very good player, we got a first-round pick, and he gets to go and play with a team that has a chance to win a championship with the best player in the world. So I'm happy for him. Advertisement 'But the NBA keeps going, and we gotta move on. I had a great conversation with him. I really, really appreciate what he did here. I'm excited to see him in the league and try to beat him every time we see him.' Related: 6 Kevin Durant decisions that tarnished his legacy, ranked Related: Jordi Fernandez reveals what Michael Porter Jr. will bring to Nets
