Nets using final games to evaluate which players will be part of their future

As the Brooklyn Nets approach a pivotal offseason focused on rebuilding, the front office faces decisions about which young players could serve as cornerstones for the franchise’s future.

Dariq Whitehead, a 20-year-old forward, made a case for himself with a 14-point performance off the bench in a 119-114 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, as written by Bridget Reilly of the New York Post.

Whitehead, the No. 22 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, sparked the Nets with four consecutive 3-pointers in the second quarter. The Duke product has faced significant setbacks early in his career, including season-ending surgery for a stress reaction in his left shin during his rookie year and multiple surgeries on his right foot before and after his lone college season.

Limited to 17 NBA games and 21 G-League appearances this season, Whitehead told reporters he feels close to regaining the form he had entering Duke.

“I’m about 90 percent back to where I was,” he said. “It’s night and day from just trusting my body. Doing things I haven’t done in two years is amazing for me, and I’m sure it’s great for the coaches to see.”

The New Jersey native has focused on conditioning and refining his fundamentals, particularly his ball-handling and ability to create off the dribble. His shooting efficiency has stood out despite the small sample size, with a 44% mark from 3-point range in the NBA and 37% with the G-League’s Long Island Nets.

“Coach [Jordi Fernandez] is clear about what he wants — shoot 3s, play defense,” Whitehead said. “He wants 50, 55 3s a game. When I hear that, any good shot, I’m taking it.”

Against the Pelicans, Whitehead shot 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, adding two assists and two steals.

“He’s done a great job of letting it fly,” Fernandez said. “He works hard with the coaches, and the work is showing up in games. These minutes are valuable.”

With two games left in the regular season, Brooklyn is doing nothing beyond evaluating players for their 2025-26 roster.