NEW YORK -- Brooklyn Nets forward Josh Minott is heading into his second season with the Nets after spending time with winning teams in the Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics. Brooklyn traded for Minott in the middle of last season and it didn't take long for him to show why teams covet him. Minott could be headed for a different role this season, but he's understanding of that.
"I'd say everything starts defensively. If you don't have that, you really don't have anything. For my last two teams, you couldn't even think about or dream of touching the court without defense," Minott said during his Media Day interview on Monday. Minott came off the bench for head coach Jordi Fernandez last season, but his defense and athleticism allowed him
to have some signature moments on the floor.
"I understand we have some some new pieces now, some ball-dominant pieces. I've seen the work Julius can do in the post and his creation out of there. So, I'd say just focusing on finding spots, playing off-ball," Minott continued. "I understand I probably won't be running any offense, which I got no problem with, but just more finding ways to impact the game."
Minott, 23, is coming off a 2025-26 NBA season in which he averaged 7.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 50.0% from the field and 41.8% from behind the three-point line. In his 16 games with the Nets after being acquired from the Celtics, Minott averaged 10.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 49.1% from the floor and 39.5% from deep.
With Brooklyn adding forward Julius Randle to a lineup that already has forward Michael Porter Jr. and guard Egor Demin, Minott is likely looking at a bench role for this season. Minott, who re-signed with the Nets this offseason on a two-year, $9 million contract, does not know what his role will be, but he is ready to provide whatever he can to make an impact on one of the youngest teams in the league.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets' Josh Minott speaks on new role after veteran additions
