Noah Clowney started 60 games for the Nets last season. Two days before Brooklyn’s home opener, he’s bracing for a smaller role.
The 22-year-old forward said Monday he expects fewer minutes and touches following the arrivals of Julius Randle. His challenge is to make the most of those opportunities as Brooklyn enters the season with different expectations.
“I play less minutes more than likely,” Clowney said. “Other than that, I think my role is not too much different.”
Clowney averaged career highs of 12.3 points and 27 minutes per game in 66 appearances last season. The former first-round pick is now adjusting to a bench role behind Randle, with multiple ball handlers in the rotation limiting his chances to create offense.
“Coming in with two ball handlers, the ball would be in my hands a lot less, 100%, but pick your spots, create chaos. That’s the goal,” he said.
Clowney described the adjustment as part of being a professional. He acknowledged it could take several games to settle into his new responsibilities but expressed little concern about the transition.
The team’s changing priorities have brought renewed excitement, Clowney said. With draft positioning no longer driving the conversation, the Nets enter Wednesday’s opener against the Charlotte Hornets focused on winning.
“There’s no benefit from losing. Nothing,” Clowney said.
Head coach Jordi Fernández has made clear where Clowney can help. He praised the forward’s consistency after a preseason in which he made nine of 15 3-point attempts. He also wants more on the glass.
The Nets finished last in the NBA with 39.3 rebounds per game last season. Clowney averaged 4.1 in 27 minutes a night.
“He can be better and he will be better,” Fernández said. “We brought those points to him, and we know he can impact not just the defensive glass but also the offensive glass and there’s no excuses.”
Monday also marked the deadline for Clowney to sign a rookie-scale extension. If he and Brooklyn don’t reach an agreement, he’ll enter restricted free agency next summer. This season, his defense, rebounding and timely shooting will help determine how much he plays.
ROOKIE AVAILABILITY UPDATE
The Nets will open the season Wednesday without rookie forward Tyler Bilodeau, who has a sprained shoulder, Fernández said Monday.
Fernández expressed little concern about the injury and expects Bilodeau to return soon.
Bilodeau, the No. 43 overall pick in June’s NBA draft, appeared in two preseason games for Brooklyn. He averaged 17.6 points and 5.6 rebounds during his senior season at UCLA, leading the Big Ten in 3-point shooting at 46.4%.
Fellow rookie forward Joshua Jefferson is available after missing the entire preseason with back stiffness. The No. 28 overall pick participated in contact practice Monday and worked with the rest of the group.
“He just practiced, contact practice, did a great job,” Fernández said. “Happy to see him back.”
Jefferson averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists during his final season at Iowa State. His availability gives Brooklyn another frontcourt option, though Fernández didn’t indicate whether he’ll play against Charlotte.
LEARNING FROM PEP
Fernández spent part of his summer exchanging coaching ideas with Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola, who left Manchester City this summer after a decade as manager, visited Brooklyn’s gym to watch players work out and spend time with Fernández.
“He loves basketball, so he wanted to see the gym and the players and watch them work out,” Fernández said.
Their conversations touched on leadership, navigating difficult situations and bringing different personalities together. Fernández has emphasized connectivity and selflessness throughout training camp with Brooklyn’s reshaped roster, and Guardiola’s approach to managing people stood out to him.
“He embraces people and makes them work together and win championships,” Fernández said. “And the human quality is very important, and you can tell why he brought groups together, not just in Spain, but also in Germany and in Manchester.”
Guardiola’s success across three countries left a lasting impression on Fernández, who believes he still has more to accomplish.
“I’m sure he’ll do it again. We just don’t know when,” Fernández said.