The Nets waived former first-round choose Dariq Whitehead and training-camp hopeful Drew Timme on Monday as Brooklyn’s 15-man regular-season roster continues to take form.
Whitehead, chosen with the twenty second total choose within the 2024 NBA Draft, bought off to a gradual begin in his skilled profession following an injury-plagued freshman season at Duke. Brooklyn took a cautious strategy to his improvement, betting that the athleticism and expertise that after made him the nation’s No. 2 recruit would resurface as soon as he regained full well being.
However Whitehead by no means suited up for Summer season League as a rookie, appeared in simply two video games and spent many of the yr with the Lengthy Island Nets. Final season, he confirmed flashes in restricted NBA motion, averaging 5.7 factors on 44.6% capturing from 3-point vary throughout 20 appearances, together with 5 double-digit outings.
The burst, raise and lateral quickness that after outlined his sport by no means absolutely returned, although, leaving him buried on the depth chart, whilst Brooklyn shifted its focus towards creating youthful expertise.
With 4 guards chosen in June’s draft, the Nets’ backcourt rapidly grew to become extra crowded, casting additional doubt on the 21-year-old’s future with the group. Whitehead averaged simply seven minutes throughout two preseason appearances and didn’t play in Brooklyn’s 132–127 additional time loss to the Phoenix Suns in Macao on Friday.
As soon as a blue-chip prospect, Whitehead’s time in Brooklyn was derailed by a string of premature accidents that stalled his improvement throughout a crucial stage of his profession. He now turns into an intriguing reclamation possibility for a contender prepared to take a low-risk probability on his upside with a two-way contract.
“I can tell you he’s gotten better,” head coach Jordi Fernandez advised reporters after observe earlier within the month. “You look at his body from the summer, how hard he’s worked, he’s already gotten better and keeps taking advantage of his opportunities. I think that’s a big part of it.”
Timme signed a multi-year cope with the Nets in March. He appeared in 9 video games throughout the 2024–25 season, together with two begins, and averaged 12.1 factors, 7.2 rebounds and a pair of.2 assists in 28.2 minutes per sport. The 25-year-old constructed momentum over the summer season with a powerful exhibiting in Las Vegas, briefly strengthening his case for a roster spot.
With Whitehead and Timme waived, the Nets now have 16 gamers on normal contracts and sit $161K above the minimal wage flooring, in line with ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Tyrese Martin and Jalen Wilson, each on non-guaranteed offers, are anticipated to compete for the ultimate roster spot forward of opening evening.
Initially Printed: October 13, 2025 at 6:20 PM EDT
