Reece Beekman is the latest young player to get a shot a major minutes for the Nets, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post.
The 23-year-old rookie hadn’t appeared in seven of the previous eight games leading up to Thursday’s matchup with Minnesota, when he played 18 minutes off the bench, then received his first career start in Sunday’s loss to Toronto. The 6’1″ point guard finished with 14 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals in 36 minutes.
“First, it’s a blessing for this to be my first year and have a start in the NBA; that doesn’t happen a lot. So I’m just blessed to be in this opportunity,” said Beekman, who is on a two-way contract with Brooklyn. “But it just took time to settle in. It’s a fast-paced game. I’m still learning in my first year. So, just learning different spots on the court, learning where to be effective and just try to make a mark on both ends of floor.”
Here’s more on the Nets:
- Rookie big man Drew Timme also got his first career start Sunday, Lewis writes in another story for The New York Post. Head coach Jordi Fernandez has been pleased thus far with Timme, who signed a two-year, minimum-salary contract at the end of March. “Yeah he’s been very good. Like again he connected with his teammates right away,” Fernandez said. “He fits in, his personality and his game. … So very happy with him. But not just the production. Sometimes the ball’s going to go in, sometimes it’s not going to go in. But his intentions, how good of a teammate he is. He comes in and works every day. So I’m very happy with Drew.”
- In a subscriber-only story, Lewis details how Ziaire Williams has become a regular contributor for Brooklyn, averaging 10.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 1.0 SPG in 61 appearances, including 43 starts (24.7 MPG). Williams will be a restricted free agent this summer if he’s tendered a qualifying offer (he’ll be unrestricted if he doesn’t get a QO).
- Sunday’s matchup with Toronto had lottery implications, and the loss means that the Nets are now 3.5 games “ahead” of the Raptors in the reverse standings with four games left on their schedule, as Lewis relays. Brooklyn will likely finish with the sixth-worst record entering the 2025 draft lottery, with a 37.2% chance of landing a top-four pick, per Tankathon.
They have to keep Ziaire.
Ziaire is playing more consistently. He deserves a good look and chance. He has good size and plays both ways. Nets definitely should work to develop him. Here’s another for you ‘raz’ (23yrs old).
I can’t believe Nets not going for Cooper. So now they are looking at 6th seed. Who knows what Sixers will do. I hope they listen to raz and take Tre Johnson. Maluach is a big piece for Nets. No way I pass on Maluach if he is there.
Champ, not sure if you are having issues lately but Nets are not the 6th seed. They will be 6th pick. Also, I do hope Tre Johnson gets taken by Philly. Maluach gives me Mo Bamba vibes. Did you see saturday night’s game against the most physical defense in the country? Dude had 0 rebounds in 21 minutes. Absolutely brutal showing, but hey…he’s 19 so he’ll have another 5 years to develop when he is going to be a top 7 pick.