u/Brooklyn917

Q: Your general manager (Sean Marks) said that you have a chip on your shoulder, tell me why.

A: Just because at the end of the day there’s people selected over me. So that just drives me every single day. I’m self-driven to be the best version of myself. So that means I have a chip on my shoulder wherever I go.

Q: You’re going to have a natural rivalry with Darius Acuff. What are your thoughts on that?

A: Basketball nowadays, that rivalry brings along a lot of fans, and more people want to watch and it’s competitive. We know we’re going to see each other for the rest of our lives, so buckle up.

Q: I read one opinion that called you one of the bigger risk-reward prospects in the draft.

A: I’m not a risk just because I know night in and night out what I can bring to a team.

Q: What did your father tell you and what did you tell him after you were drafted by the Nets?

A: We said, ‘What are they going to say now?’ Just because when it comes people said I was too small, or I wouldn’t make it. So just beating the odds, I think me and him really took an embrace on.

Q: What have you learned about your new head coach (Jordi Fernández)?

A: Just a great guy, he’s a player’s coach. Hard worker, loves his family, he’s a big family guy. He actually reached out to me recently because I went to go watch my sister play and he asked me how my sister did and stuff like that. He’s a player’s coach and that’s a coach you really want to play hard for and give it your all for.

Q: What have you learned about Brooklyn so far?

A: Brooklyn’s great. I thought it would be like more hectic like New York City, but actually, Brooklyn is very chill, peaceful, definitely calm.

Q: Personal goals for this season?

A: At the end of the day, our goal’s to win a world championship. And also, getting to understand my teammates better and push towards a winning season this year. But also, the more you win, the more individual accolades will come.

Q: How big of an impact do you think you can make this season?

A: I feel like I can come in and make an impact from Day 1. I’ve prepared myself for this moment, I’ve prepared myself to be in this situation that I’m in, and also I’m feeding off my teammates as well, it ain’t no one-man show.

Q: Your career goal?

A: Obviously being a superstar in this league. Continue to work to that mindset. It’s not going to be easy, taking it day by day, brick by brick and it’s going to turn out that way.

Q: What is your message to all of Brooklyn and to Brooklyn Nets fans about Mikel Brown Jr?

A: Somebody that’s going to come to work every single day with a hard hat on, great attitude, big mentality … as a team our goal is to try to bring back that winning culture and bring a world championship to that city. We know how much pride those people take in being from Brooklyn, so that pride will not be taken for granted, and we have a chip on our shoulder.

>After finishing sixth in the NBA’s MVP voting and coming off the best statistical season of his career, Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown was mentioned in trade rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite the Greek Freak landing in Miami, rumors have persisted to the point that NBA executives across the league are wondering not if Brown will be traded, but rather when and where. 

>Brown has drawn trade interest from various teams across the league, including the Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, and Los Angeles Clippers, league sources told HoopsHype. 

>Brooklyn nearly acquired Brown in trade talks for Kevin Durant before pivoting to Phoenix’s package in 2023. The Nets are armed with a treasure chest of future first-round picks, the expiring contract of last year’s All-Star candidate Michael Porter Jr., which would likely be needed to make any trade logistically, and center Day’Ron Sharpe, whom Boston had interest in last year, as HoopsHype reported. 

TYLER HERRO:

>Before Herro joined Milwaukee in the Antetokounmpo trade and the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a four-year, $185 million max deal with Austin Reaves, the Lakers had trade discussions surrounding Herro and Kel’el Ware, which would’ve involved multiple first-round draft picks, league sources told HoopsHype. In addition, the Brooklyn Nets also did due diligence and gauged the price tag for Herro, HoopsHype has learned.