When it comes to discussing the Brooklyn Nets best players, the list is endless. From the high-flying acrobatics of the ABA era to the modern-day finesse of the NBA, the franchise has been graced by some of the most impressive athletes ever to play the game.
Choosing the top among them is an arduous task, but one that we have taken on with great excitement. These players, whom I have selected as the Brooklyn Nets’ all-time greats, have left an indelible mark on the game of basketball and etched their legacy in the annals of the franchise’s history.
These men, who have left a lasting impact on the Brooklyn Nets, are the ones who truly embody the spirit of the team.
Let us unveil the list of the top 10 Brooklyn Nets best players of all time.
Here are the Brooklyn Nets Best Players Overview
| Player | A career with Brooklyn Nets |
| Jason Kidd | 2001–2008 |
| Julius Erving | 1973–1976 |
| Kevin Durant | 2019–present |
| Buck Williams | 1981–1989 |
| Vince Carter | 2004–2009 |
| Brook Lopez | 2008–2017 |
| Derrick Coleman | 1990–1995 |
| Richard Jefferson | 2001–2008 |
| Nic Claxton | 2019–present |
| Drazen Petrovic | 1991–1993 |
With some additional information, let’s take a look at the Brooklyn Nets best players, their careers, and their stats.
1. Jason Kidd
| Full Name | Jason Frederick Kidd |
| Date of Birth | March 23, 1973 |
| Age | 49 |
| Place of Birth | San Francisco, California, US |
| Height and Weight | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) & 210 lb (95 kg) |
| NBA Draft | 1994 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd |
| Other Teams | Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks |
| Net Worth | $85 Million |
The Hall of Fame point guard was not only a dominant force on the court but also a leader and a cultural icon for the franchise during his tenure.
Kidd’s incredible ball-handling skills and passing ability were unmatched, making him one of the most prolific assist men in the league.
He was a ten-time NBA All-Star, a five-time All-NBA First Team selection, and a nine-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. He topped the league in assists per game for three seasons, and his a triple-double threat every time he stepped on the court. He also led the Nets to the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.
But it’s not just his statistics that make Kidd one of the best players in Brooklyn Nets history. He was a true leader. His competitiveness, work ethic, and intensity set the tone for the team, creating a winning culture for the franchise. He was a player that inspired his teammates and brought the best out of them.
2. Julius Erving
| Full Name | Julius Winfield Erving II |
| Date of Birth | February 22, 1950 |
| Place of Birth | Roosevelt, New York, U.S. |
| Age | 72 |
| Height and Weight | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) & 210 lb (95 kg) |
| NBA Draft | 1972 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12th |
| Other Teams | Virginia Squires, Philadelphia 76ers |
| Net Worth | $55 Million |
Julius Erving, mostly known as “Dr. J,” is one of the Brooklyn Nets’ best players ever due to his impact on the team. He played for the Nets during the ABA era, known for his athletic and high-flying style of play.
Erving was a three-time ABA Most Valuable Player, an ABA champion, and was named to the All-ABA First Team five times. He was also a member of the All-Defensive First Team twice and led the league in scoring and steals twice.
He also won the ABA slam dunk contest twice and was known for his incredible athleticism and flashy style of play. He was a fan favorite and brought excitement to the game of basketball, averaging 28.2 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.2 steals with the Nets.
Youtuber and Basketball fan Michael Kaye said,
“I remember going to some ABA games and watching Dr. J play for the NY Nets. I would have to say he was the best player on that team. His moves in the air rivaled Air Jordan’s moves.”
3. Kevin Durant
| Full Name | Kevin Wayne Durant |
| Date of Birth | September 29, 1988 |
| Place of Birth | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Age | 34 |
| Height and Weight | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) & 240 lb (109 kg) |
| NBA Draft | 2007 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd |
| Other Teams | Seattle SuperSonics, Golden State Warriors |
| Net Worth | $200 Million |
The superstar forward, who joined the team in 2019, has been dominant since his arrival.
Durant is a ten-time NBA All-Star, a two-time NBA champion, and a two-time NBA Finals MVP. He has also won four scoring titles and two Olympic Gold medals and has been named to the All-NBA First Team seven times.
As of 2021, he scored 49 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists to help his Brooklyn Nets come back and beat the Milwaukee Bucks 114-108 in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals. In 2022, Durant was named the second-most efficient shooter in the NBA, per Bleacher Report.
He has a career-scoring average of 27.3 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game, and 4.3 assists per game. Kevin’s exceptional performance on the Brooklyn Nets and his impressive statistics make him one of the Nets best players ever.
4. Buck Williams
| Full Name | Charles Linwood “Buck” Williams |
| Date of Birth | March 8, 1960 |
| Place of Birth | Rocky Mount, North Carolina |
| Age | 62 |
| Height and Weight | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) & 215 lb (98 kg) |
| NBA Draft | 1981 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd |
| Other Teams | Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks |
| Net Worth | $5 Million |
Buck Williams was a highly skilled and productive player during his time.
He was a three-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team twice. He was also a member of the All-Rookie First Team in 1982.
Williams was known as the best rebounder in the league at that time. He had a career average of 10 rebounds per game and led the league in rebounding in the 1983-1984 season. He was also a good scorer, averaging 12.8 points per game throughout his career. He was also the Nets all-time leading rebounder until he was surpassed by Jason Collins in 2008.
5. Vince Carter
| Full Name | Vincent Lamar Carter Jr. |
| Date of Birth | January 26, 1977 |
| Age | 44 |
| Height and Weight | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) & 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Place of Birth | Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| NBA Draft | 1998 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5th |
| Other Teams | Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings. Atlanta Hawks |
| Net Worth | $115 Million |
The superstar guard brought energy and enthusiasm to the game, which made him one of the most exciting players in the league during his time with the team. Vince is known for his high-flying dunks, which brought the crowd to their feet every time.
Carter was an eight-time NBA All-Star, a member of the All-NBA Third Team twice, and the 2000 Slam Dunk contest champion. He was one of the most proficient scorers in the league, with a career scoring average of 16.7 points per game.
He helped lead the team to the playoffs in the 2006-2007 season and was a main player in the team’s success.
6. Brook Lopez
| Full Name | Brook Robert Lopez |
| Date of Birth | April 1, 1988 |
| Age | 34 |
| Height and Weight | 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) & 282 lb (128 kg) |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| NBA Draft | 2008 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10th |
| Other Teams | Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks |
| Net Worth | $40 Million |
Brook Lopez established himself as one of the most consistent and reliable players in the league. He has earned the nickname “Mr. Nets” from the fans.
According to the FoxSPORTS report, Brook Lopez is often left out of the conversation when listing off the top big men in the league, but he is still one of the best bigs in the NBA.
Lopez was an All-Star in 2013 and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2015. He is also the Nets all-time leading scorer, with 10,444 points. He was known for his scoring, shot-blocking ability, and his ability to stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting. He had a career-scoring average of 18.6 points per game.
7. Derrick Coleman
| Full Name | Derrick Demetrius Coleman |
| Date of Birth | June 21, 1967 |
| Age | 55 |
| Height and Weight | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) & 258 lb (117 kg) |
| Place of Birth | Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
| NBA Draft | 1990 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st |
| Other Teams | Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons |
| Net Worth | $5 Million |
As the Brooklyn Nets look back on its history, one player that stands out among the rest is Derrick Coleman. He was a true force to be reckoned with on the court.
Coleman was a three-time NBA All-Star, the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1991, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1993. He was a true triple-double threat, averaging 18.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists during his time with the Nets.
8. Richard Jefferson
| Full Name | Richard Allen Jefferson Jr. |
| Date of Birth | June 21, 1980 |
| Age | 42 |
| Height and Weight | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) & 233 lb (106 kg) |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California |
| NBA Draft | 2001 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13th |
| Other Teams | Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets |
| Net Worth | $50 Million |
Richard has given his perspective on the Brooklyn Nets team and players and has also discussed his opinion on Kyrie Irving’s promotion of an antisemitic film and book.
He is now an ESPN analyst who was a key player for the Nets throughout his time. He had a career scoring average of 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists and was a consistent scoring option for the team.
His ability to stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting made him a valuable asset to the team.
9. Nic Claxton
| Full Name | Nicolas Devir Claxton |
| Date of Birth | April 17, 1999 |
| Place of Birth | Greenville, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Age | 23 |
| Height and Weight | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) & 215 lb (98 kg) |
| NBA Draft | 2019 / Round: 2 / Pick: 31st |
| Other Teams | Long Island Nets |
| Net Worth | $10 Million |
Nic Claxton is a young and talented player for the Brooklyn Nets who has been improving rapidly. He has a unique combination of size, speed, and skill that allows him to be a versatile defender and efficient scorer.
With averages of 11.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game on 74% shooting. He has made a tremendous impact as one of the greatest defenders in the game with the Brooklyn Nets.
He leads the NBA in shooting % and effective percentage and is an integral part of the team’s success.
10. Drazen Petrovic
| Full Name | Dražen Petrović |
| Date of Birth | 22 October 1964 |
| Place of Birth | Šibenik, Croatia, Yugoslavia |
| Date of Death | 7 June 1993 |
| Age | 28 |
| Height and Weight | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) & 195 lb (88 kg) |
| NBA Draft | 1986 / Round: 3 / Pick: 60th |
| Other Teams | Šibenka, Cibona, Real Madrid, Portland Trail Blazers |
| Net Worth | $10 Million |
Petrovic’s outstanding talent and scoring ability sealed his position as one of the Nets all-time finest players.
His career scoring average was 15.4 points per game, and he was renowned for his lethal accuracy from 3-point range, shooting.439 from long range. Throughout his career, he averaged 2.4 assists per contest. He was a game-controlling player who facilitated the offensive of his club.
He was a player who brought passion to the game of basketball, was capable of making the remarkable appear commonplace, and left an indelible mark on the franchise.
Conclusion
The history of the Nets is rich with exceptional players. From Dr. J and Buck Williams in the early days to Jason Kidd and Brook Lopez in more recent years, the Nets have had their fair share of all-time greats. Top Nets best players is a list filled with Hall of Famers and All-Stars, each of whom significantly impacted the franchise.
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