The Brooklyn Nets appear to be embracing their youth movement after trading starting forward Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks during the 2024 offseason. Brooklyn has enticing young talent at its disposal. The duo of Cam Thomas (the team's reigning leading scorer), and Nic Claxton (a fringe All-NBA Defensive team candidate) will lead the club into the 2024-25 season. However, fans cannot forget about another rising talent: Jalen Wilson.
Wilson joined the Nets in 2023 when the team selected him with their 51st pick in the second round of the NBA Draft. He entered the league as a crafty offensive player who could use his size to his advantage. Wilson split his time between the Nets and their NBA G League affiliate Long Island Nets during his rookie season. He averaged 19.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in 11 games with Long Island and amassed 5.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 43 appearances with Brooklyn.
Wilson had some impressive G League performances, including a 33-point explosion against the College Park Skyhawks, the Atlanta Hawks' affiliate, in December of 2023. The offensive-minded forward knocked down a career-high nine three-pointers in the 112-115 loss. Wilson's improvement continued into 2024, where he put on one the best Nets Summer League performances of the 2020s era.
Jalen Wilson's 2024 Summer League stint proves he's bracing for next step with Nets
Wilson averaged 21.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and shot a blazing 55.0 percent on his three-pointers during the 2024 Summer League. His efforts helped the Nets to a 3-2 record, and he earned a spot on the All-Summer League Second Team. Even more impressive, Wilson won the league's Most Valuable Player award.
If Jalen Wilson can carry the mometum from his Summer League showing into the the regular season, the Brooklyn Nets could have another reliable offensive star next to Cam Thomas. Even if Wilson does not replicate his summer play, he can solidify himself as a knock-down shooter who should get an increased role.
Wilson played 15.5 minutes per game with Brooklyn during the regular season. With the team seemingly embracing a full rebuild and focus on talent development, Wilson might see the role that helps him evolve into the borough's next big thing.