The 2026 NBA Finals are now upon us, and while it’ll involve games just a few train stops away from the Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets couldn’t be further from the championship stage right now. You all know this, but the Nets didn’t have the greatest season in the world this past year. They fell out of playoff contention with less resistance than a plane missing its wings.
However, being well-removed from something doesn’t mean you’re not connected. Growing up, my dog used to shed constantly.
Her hair would get everywhere, especially in the summer, and especially on my clothes if I wasn’t paying attention. To this day, I’ll still occasionally find a strand of her’s on a shirt or pair of slacks, and much like the Nets, she’s been in the ground for years now.
While there are obvious ties to the New York Knicks, largely in the shape of Mikal Bridges, there’s far more “Brooklyn Nets residue” on these NBA Finals beyond that. Whether you’re the kind of person that’s friendly with your exes, or that kind that isn’t, here’s your guide for who to look out for.
The Obvious Ones
Indeed, Mikal Bridges is the strongest connect between Brooklyn and these NBA Finals. Brooklyn traded him for whopping five first round picks and a swap almost two summers ago now. The move drew applause from fans and analysts alike, as it allowed the Nets to reset after a failed season where they tried to position Bridges as their franchise player.
Be that as it may, if Bridges and his buddies are able to win it all this year, it’ll become near impossible to argue that Brooklyn won the trade. The Knicks haven’t won a Larry since 1973. Mikal is averaging 14.6/2.5/3.1 on 59/34/100 splits in the postseason.
However, Bridges isn’t the only consequential ex-Net hooping for New York right now. Landry Shamet, who played alongside Brooklyn’s big three at their full-might during the 2020-21 season, has also established himself as a key rotation piece. He’s shooting 21-35 from three in the postseason
One Deeper Cut
Who remembers Mason Plumlee? Brooklyn drafted this Duke product big back in 2013 and kept him for two seasons before sending him off on a journeymen’s path that’s now landed him in San Antonio. Plumlee only appeared in six games for the Spurs this season, but undoubtedly makes the list of of “guys you’d like to see get a ring” in this series.
Plumlee’s best moment in Brooklyn had to have been his game-winning block over LeBron James during an early April contest amid the 2013-24 season. Brooklyn eventually lost in a gentlemen’s sweep to Bron’s Miami Heat in the second round that year, but with that help from Plumlee, boasted a 4-0 regular season record against the defending champs. Foolishly or not, that made us believe for a time.
And if Plumlee gets a ring, he will have won three enviable championships, Duke’s NCAA title in 2010, Team USA’s FIBA World Cup title four years later and a Spurs NBA title.
From the Bench & Front Office
Sean Sweeney is about to take up head coaching duties with the Orlando Magic, but first wants to end his tenure as an associate head coach in San Antonio with a ring. Sweeney began his career as a video coordinator with the then New Jersey Nets in 2011. He ascended to an assistant coach role for the 2013-14 season under Jason Kidd, but then followed him to Milwaukee.
Maurice Cheeks isn’t known for his time with the Nets, but his Hall of Fame playing career ended in New Jersey during the team’s 1992-93 campaign. At 36 years old, he appeared in 35 games for the team. He’s now an assistant coach and special advisor for the Knicks.
Frank Zanin is a name you might be less familiar with, but the now Assistant GM in New York also served in that role from 2013-2016 with Brooklyu. A favorite of former GM Billy King was also Brooklyn’s Director of Player Procurement from 2012-2013.
Across Coaching Trees
While Knicks head coach Mike Brown has no direct correlation to the Nets franchise, it’s worth noting Jordi Fernández coached under him for two years in Sacramento and before that, was Brown’s son’s trainer. Both Brown and Fernandez coaches current Spurs De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes on their rosters. Fernández also coached Plumlee for four years in Denver.
So who you rooting for and why?
