Josh Minott took a major step in his career last season. After spending most of his first three NBA seasons on the bench, the former second-round pick capitalized on his first extended opportunity. Minott impressed during the first half of the season with the Boston Celtics and continued to produce following a trade to the Brooklyn Nets.
The Nets rewarded Minott with a two-year, $9 million contract this summer. While some could view the deal as a significant accomplishment for a former second-rounder, Minott has his sights set much higher.
“ I don't really think I had a mental shift [after signing the deal]. It’s kind of the same hunger I’ve had,” Minott said. “At the end of the day, there’s so much to prove. From top to bottom, everybody in here knows how we’re perceived, and we’re trying to exceed expectations by a ton… One thing I've learned in my four years, going on five, is that you're never settled in. I would never get complacent. You can never be complacent. I feel like that's advice to everybody in any profession. You guys, there's a young reporter trying to take your job. I'd say just never get too complacent; always stay competitive. It's a competitive job.”
Minott spent his first three seasons buried on the bench of an ascending Minnesota Timberwolves squad. However, he looked like a rotation-caliber player during his minutes with the Celtics and Nets last season.
Across 49 appearances (17.0 minutes per game), Minott averaged 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 62.6 percent on twos and 41.8 percent on 9.2 three-point attempts per 100 possessions. He consistently used his 6-foot-8 frame and seven-foot wingspan to wreak havoc defensively.
How can Josh Minott solidify long-term role with rebuilding Nets?
Minott was the NBA's only player to post steal and block percentages above 2.5 while shooting over 40.0 percent from three. His 4.7 deflections per 36 minutes ranked 17th among 322 players who played over 800 minutes.
The 23-year-old has no misconceptions about his role as he attempts to solidify his place in the Nets' long-term plans.
“I'd say everything starts defensively. If you don't have that, you really don't have anything,” Minott said. “On my last two teams, you couldn't even think about or dream of touching the court without defense. I understand we have some new pieces now, some ball-dominant pieces. I've seen the work [Julius Randle] can do in the post and how he can create out of there. So I'd say I'm just focusing on finding spots [offensively], playing off the ball. I understand I probably won't be running any offense, which I'm [fine with], but it's more just finding ways to impact the game, whether that be defensively or off-ball cutting, setting screens, things like that.”
Despite his impressive 2025-26 campaign, Minott will face competition for minutes with the Nets this season.
Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle are penciled in as starters at the forward spots. However, Minott, Noah Clowney, Danny Wolf and Joshua Jefferson will battle for minutes with the second unit. Sophomore Drake Powell and veterans Keon Ellis and Terance Mann could also spend time on the wing.
“Roles can change. You can have a bigger role, you can have a smaller role. And Josh, he's put a lot of work and effort through the summer and now in training camp, and I expect good things to happen,” said head coach Jordi Fernandez. “The reality is usually you play with nine to 11 players. And the good thing is these guys are putting me in a tough spot because they're all doing a great job. So that's what I want as a coach: to make tough decisions… I think that it's about being positive and being diligent with your work. [Josh has] had a really good summer… I cannot predict the future, but I can tell you that I'm very happy with him.”