There are only so many spots available on any NBA roster. That's especially true for a young team like the Brooklyn Nets — average age 24.31 years, with rookie contracts accounting for eight of their 15 standard deals.
That's why Summer League, training camp, and the preseason are so valuable for those Exhibit 10 and two-way players hoping to make their way up the totem pole. For Exhibit 10's, the goal could be to show enough to eventually earn a two-way spot, while those already on two-way deals look to prove they deserve a standard contract.
As Chaney Johnson and Grant Nelson enter their second year with the Nets organization, and their first full seasons on two-way contracts, proving themselves is exactly what they sought to do all offseason.
Both have a different, tougher background than many of their teammates. They are natives of small town America — Johnson from Alabaster, Alabama, Nelson from Devil's Lake, North Dakota. They were passed over by big schools, winding up at smaller schools, the University of Alabama at Huntsville and North Dakota State before, ironically, joining rivals Auburn and Alabama.
Now, even after going undrafted, they've almost made it as NBA two-ways. The problem, however, is that with so many young players and established veterans competing for minutes on a team now looking to win, playing time is already limited.
Regardless of the minutes available, Johnson and Nelseon have done everything they can to show Sean Marks 7 organization they can perform at the NBA level.
Let's start with Johnson, 24, who has, quite literally, done just about everything the Nets could have asked of him since joining the organization as a two-way in December.
After starting his college career at Division II University of Alabama Huntsville, going undrafted out of Auburn, and spending time with the Cleveland Cavaliers on an Exhibit 10 deal, Johnson made an immediate impact in the G League for the Nets.
Across 24 outings for Brooklyn's G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, he averaged 14.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals before earning an opportunity to contribute in Brooklyn late in the season. He capitalized on that end-of-season chance, averaging 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in 17 games, while playing with grit and competitiveness. That's the fire Jordi Fernández loves to see in his players.
That continued into Summer League, where he led the Las Vegas portion in steals, and most recently, the preseason, which wrapped up on Wednesday. What stands out about Johnson is that he does the dirty work. He crashes the boards and has even held his own at the center position despite being just 6'7" and change, a byproduct of knowing how to use his physicality to his advantage.
Johnson also seems to have emerged as a favorite in the team's locker room, largely because of his relentless work ethic. Speaking with reporters during the preseason, Egor Dëmin had some high praise for the Alabaman.
"[Chaney] is the hardest working guy in the gym," he said. "He's going to develop into a [standard] contract at some point. He's going to be amazing. I'm glad to have him as a teammate. He does the work that not many people want to do on the court. And he's grateful for having that opportunity. I think that's rare and I appreciate him a lot."
With defensive concerns, particularly in the frontcourt this season, someone like Johnson, who brings a kind of defensive intensity, could be valuable. Johnson's work so far may indeed warrant a standard contract. The issue, though, is finding room for him.
The Nets already have 15 players on standard deals, and it doesn't look like they'll make any cuts from that group. Eight of their 15 players on standard deals are still on rookie contracts, while the others are veteran locks to make the roster when it's finalized at day's end.
That leaves Johnson in a tough spot. The numbers just don't work in his favor for a standard deal. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if he finds his way into Brooklyn's rotation this season, especially with injuries. Keep in mind, two-way players can dress for 50 NBA games before they need to be converted to standard contracts.
Johnson told ND last season that his ambitions are lofty, but considering where he's come from, one shouldn't dismiss them.
"I want to be one of the better players in the NBA," Johnson said of his aspirations. "All-Defensive First Team or Second Team and possibly have an NBA championship, I want to be one of the greatest players to ever touch the ball."
On Monday, a blogger who tracks the G League and two-ways described C.J. as the NBA two-way player most likely to break out this season…
The best thing Johnson can do is keep impressing his teammates and coaches with his work ethic while showing his defensive value. If he could flash as a defensive chip this season, that would be a huge win for the Nets.
Nelson has taken somewhat the same path, starting out in North Dakota where his combination of shooting and athleticism later earned him the nickname, "Dakota Durant". North Dakota's Mr. Basketball, he eventually found his way to a bigger school as well, Alabama. Both wound up taking their adopted Division I schools to the NCAA Final Four.
The 7-footer dealt with knee issues for much of last season with the Nets, just as he had his last season in Tuscaloosa, making it difficult for him to produce consistently. But when he was healthy, there were some encouraging results. In 15 G League starts, he averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds per 36 minutes. That was following a seven-week rehab program with Long Island's player performance team.
After that strong stretch on Long Island, he earned a 10-day contract with Brooklyn, where he played 35 minutes and tallied 17 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three blocks. However, after his 10-day deal wasn't renewed, it was revealed that his season would be cut short due to patellar tendinitis, commonly known as "jumper's knee."
As he continued to rehab, the Alabama product missed all of Summer League, though he remained on the team's roster and traveled to both Sacramento and Las Vegas with the squad before getting converted to a two-way deal.
"I spent the whole summer rehabbing," Nelson told reporters on Media Day. "I was pretty much getting my quad strength back after my tendon and I think the staff here did a great job helping me achieve 100 percent which I haven't been at for a while." .
After recovering, Nelson averaged 6.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in four preseason games. He particularly stood out in the Nets' preseason win over the Washington Wizards, where he didn't enter until the fourth quarter but had nine points in nine minutes, while also grabbing four rebounds, including three on offense, and shooting 4-of-5 (80%), including 1-of-2 from deep (50%).
That improve shooting, he said, was a benefit of having all that time rehabbing.
"My shooting, definitely," he told NetsDaily when asked what's better about his game. "It was a big emphasis knowing I was going to be out at the end of last season, this gives me a chance to hone in on my shooting mechanics and work with the great staff we have here. So I think my shooting has become much better. So I'm excited to show that this season coming up."
At 7 feet, the 24-year-old moves well for his size and brings offensive versatility that isn't common for someone his size. He is also highly athletic, setting the NBA Combine's record for the shuttle run at 2.58 seconds and recording a 35.5" max vertical. He also has shown off good timing. Ask Cooper Flagg who once tried to get him on a poster…
What we mentioned with Johnson is even more applicable to Nelson: the Nets' lack of frontcourt defense, especially rim protection in Nelson's case, could lead to opportunities.
After losing Nic Claxton this offseason, the Nets don't currently have a consistent, proven rim protector on their roster. Day'Ron Sharpe is a great offensive rebounder and Noah Clowney can block shots, but is more of forward. That's where Nelson could potentially find an opportunity. He isn't built like a traditional rim protector, but is very athletic and offers size, solid mobility… and an offensive game. At the very least, Nelson is another piece for Fernández to experiment with.
Could both earn a rotation spot?
Unlike the prior two years, Brooklyn is actually looking to win games this season. Yes, player development is still a priority, but the squad also needs to put players on the floor who can contribute to wins.
Johnson probably has the better chance right now, given his sample size in the pros last year and his strong Summer. He also offers positional size and versatility, which the Nets value.
Nelson is more of a developmental project, but again, injuries and the Nets' lack of established frontcourt depth could create chances for him as well. Most likely, both players will spend ample time on Long Island, and those are valuable minutes.
Long Island's season kicks off on November 6, which means if both players aren't yet breaking through in Brooklyn by then, they will have a chance to get valuable playing time in the G League and make their presence felt. Nelson alluded to that on Media Day. "I'm super excited to get out there and play in Long Island or hopefully with this top team and getting more experience." Better than sitting on the bench or showing up to NBA games in street clothes or watching from Alabaster or Devil's Lake.
