The Brooklyn Nets are set for another season, and one of their veterans could be key to tying the rotation together.
Over the offseason, the Nets made some big changes, adding Julius Randle and Mikel Brown Jr., among others, as they look to make a run at the postseason in 2027. With some intriguing talent across the roster and such a young core overall, the Nets are among the toughest teams to predict ahead of the season.
With so much young talent on the perimeter, the Nets will also need to take advantage of the experience they have there. An underrated piece of Brooklyn's squad after the offseason moves, Terance Mann could be a real difference-maker next season.
In his first year with the Nets, Mann was a major part of Brooklyn's rotation, playing in 63 games and starting 51 times. Averaging 24.3 minutes per game, Mann also added 7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and three assists a night.
Also shooting 36.4% from beyond the arc, Mann showed that he can be a contributor in many areas. Although he may not necessarily be elite in any one spot on the floor, his ability to play multiple roles and not have many weaknesses could make him a real weapon as the Nets look to win next season.
With Brown and Egor Demin running the show in the backcourt, it seems inevitable that mistakes will happen and the moment will sometimes be too much for a first or second-year player. A capable playmaker with the ball in his hands, Mann can be a go-to veteran for Jordi Fernandez in those situations.
With Randle and Michael Porter Jr. to lean on as well, Mann can be another reliable veteran for Fernandez to throw on the floor in late-game situations. Although Mann has mostly played on the wing throughout his career, playing a bit bigger could be needed with the Nets' abundance of young guards.
While it may be a bit of a stretch to say Mann is a true jack of all trades, he gives Brooklyn so much versatility on a nightly basis, that he should fit that description perfectly in Fernandez's system next season. A true plug-and-play wing, Mann should be a key piece of any improvements Brooklyn makes in 2027.
Add in his playoff experience from his time with the LA Clippers , and Mann has just about everything Brooklyn could want from a role player.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/nets/onsi as Terance Mann's Versatility Should Help Young Brooklyn Nets in 2026-27 .
