The Nets’ Season Focused on Development
As the Nets continue their rebuilding phase, the remainder of this season is primarily about looking ahead to next year.
The emphasis now lies on player development and nurturing youth.
One standout player in this regard has been Maxwell Lewis, who has quickly turned from an overlooked player to an unexpected asset.
This past weekend, the youngest member of the Nets made a significant impact on the court.
In a back-to-back series against the Celtics and Hawks, Lewis scored 25 points with an impressive 5-for-7 from three-point range over 38 minutes, leading the team with a plus-28 rating. This performance came from a player who had only managed 21 points in his entire career before the weekend.
Lewis’s journey over the past three months has seen him transition from being traded and sidelined due to injury to experiencing a breakthrough in his career. The 22-year-old from Pepperdine has brought a contagious energy into the locker room and onto the court.
“I like what I saw,” commented Jordi Fernández regarding Lewis, who struggled earlier in the week against the Celtics. “Max has been unbelievable those last two games… His positive energy is evident and it’s great to see him and his teammates celebrate each other’s successes.”
During the recent matchups, Lewis started with 15 points from 6-for-7 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 from deep against the Celtics, followed by 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting against the Hawks. Given that he had previously recorded only 22 minutes of play for Brooklyn, this was a notable turnaround that he aimed to continue in Boston.
“He deserves a lot of credit,” said Cam Johnson. “Getting traded is tough, and right from his first game, he managed a three-pointer before getting hurt. Even after that setback, he showed up and worked hard every day without complaints.”
Lewis was acquired on December 29, part of the deal for Dorian Finney-Smith. The Lakers had valued him enough during the 2023 draft to trade up for him, ultimately signing him for four years with two years guaranteed.
After spending most of his rookie season with the South Bay Lakers, he was averaging impressive numbers in the G-League when he was included in the trade package with D’Angelo Russell. Unfortunately, just a minute into his debut on New Year’s Day, he sustained a serious injury.
Now, back in action after recovering, Lewis has eagerly taken advantage of his opportunities. “I focus on catching and shooting, keeping it simple, and I feel I belong in this league,” he said, expressing his determination to prove himself.
Lewis is the second youngest player on the team, competing against fellow young players Jalen Wilson and Ziaire Williams, who is expected to command a significant qualifying offer. Meanwhile, with team options of only $2.2 million and $2.4 million over the next two years, Lewis is aiming to showcase his worth in the final stretch of the season.
