The Brooklyn Nets have set themselves up to take the next step in their rebuild with their early transactions. The Nets, who traded for Julius Randle last week, made decisions on three players, including their potential 2026-27 starting center. How do these decisions affect the team as free agency officially begins tomorrow?
Nets Make Decision On 3 Players, Including Their 2026-27 Potential Starting Center, and What It Means with Free Agency Around The Corner
Josh Minott was the first domino to fall. After declining Minott’s $2.5 million team option, Brooklyn re-signed the 23-year-old to a two-year, $9 million deal. He is projected to make $4.3 million this upcoming season, representing a $1.8 million raise. The second year is a club option.
Brooklyn Nets forward Josh Minott intends to sign a new two-year, $9 million to return to the franchise, with a team option in second season, sources tell ESPN. The Nets declined Minott’s team option to clear the way for a new contract. pic.twitter.com/9HlXrdo91Z
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2026
Minott put himself in a position to receive a raise, as he thrived in his limited time with the Nets this past season. In 16 games with Brooklyn, the 6-8 forward averaged 10.8 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals over 19 minutes. He also made 1.9 threes a game with shooting splits of 49.1/39.5/80.0.
Brooklyn acquired Minott from Boston in a salary dump as the Nets only needed to send the Celtics’ cash. Minott is long, with a 7-0 wingspan, and athletic, with the ability to guard four positions. Minott thrives as a cutter and in transition. He projects as an end-of-rotation player for the Nets.
Day’Ron Sharpe Inks 2-year, $20 million Deal
As with Minott, Brooklyn decided to reward another young veteran for his previous production. The Nets signed Day’Ron Sharpe to a two-year, $20 million deal, with Sharpe set to earn about $9.6 million this upcoming season. As a result of this new deal, Sharpe will get a $3.4 million raise, as he had a $6.2 million player option.
Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe intends to sign a new two-year, $20 million deal to return to the franchise, sources tell ESPN. Nets declined Sharpe’s team option to do a new contract, just as they did with Josh Minott. pic.twitter.com/gNj9REx2Ix
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2026
Sharpe, who could replace Nic Claxton as the Nets starter at center, is coming off a career season in 2025-26. Sharpe has shown improvement in each of the past three seasons. The 24-year-old produced five double-doubles and averaged 8.7 points on 60.1% shooting, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists along with 1.1 steals.
Sharpe projects as the perfect frontcourt sidekick alongside Randle, a high-usage interior creator, given his low-usage efficiency. Sharpe is also an elite finisher and excellent offensive rebounder. While he is not a rim protector, Sharpe brings physicality on defense and is a good rebounder.
Malachi Smith and Chaney Johnson Are Also Returning
Brooklyn also has decided to retain the services of Malachi Smith and Chaney Johnson. The Nets picked up Smith’s $2.15 nonguaranteed option, while Johnson will return for a second season on a two-way deal.
Smith made strides during the 2025-26 season with the G League’s Long Island Nets and was productive in his short stint in Brooklyn. In 15 games with the Nets, Smith scored in double figures six times and registered one double-double. He averaged 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists with shooting splits of 48.5/43.5/1.00.
Johnson, who was on a two-way contract, impressed the Nets enough with Long Island to earn a month-long trial run at the end of the regular season. In 17 contests with Brooklyn, Johnson compiled 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 54.3% from the field and 30.0% from the 3-point line. He scored in double figures seven times and registered a double-double.
Brooklyn has 14 players under contract, including rookies Mikel Brown Jr. and Joshua Johnson, with a salary cap hit of $143.2 million. This leaves the Nets with $21.8 million in cap space. So, the Nets have plenty of flexibility once free agency hits.
Nets could still have around $40M in cap space to use in free agency, pending how they time out acquiring Julius Randle.
The signing of Day’Ron Sharpe will come after Nets have used their cap space, either through the Room Exception or remaining cap space, similiar to last year.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 29, 2026
Photo Credit: Gregory Fisher, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
