The Nets have exercised the third-year rookie scale team options on Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead for the 2025/26 season, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Decisions On 2025/26 Rookie Scale Team Options]
Clowney, the No. 21 overall pick in the 2023 draft, is continuing to increase his playing time with Brooklyn. He only appeared in 23 games (making four starts) with the Nets in his rookie season last year, but he gradually grew into his role. Clowney only made 10 appearances from the beginning of last year to mid-Spring, but he played in all 13 of the team’s last games last year, averaging 8.0 points and 5.0 rebounds.
This season through three games, Clowney is averaging 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds off the bench. He’s on the books for $3.24MM this year and about $3.40MM next year.
Whitehead was picked just one spot after Clowney at 22nd overall last year. However, he struggled with a left shin injury last year and has only made a total of three NBA appearances. His contract becoming guaranteed for a third year was less certain than Clowney after he shot 14.6% from the field in summer league and 22.2% in the preseason. Still, he’s just 20 years old and has tantalizing athletic upside, so he makes sense for a young Brooklyn squad.
He’s under contract for $3.11MM this year and $3.26MM next year.
As we wrote earlier Monday, rookie scale options for 2025/26 are due Thursday.