The dog days of this season are an extended audition.
The Nets will sift through the tail end of their roster hoping to find somebody — anybody — worth keeping.
Josh Minott? Why not?
In Minott’s longest stint with Brooklyn since being acquired as a trade deadline flier, the springy young forward stated his case eloquently Thursday in Atlanta.
Minott turned in a career night, and flashed the kind of athleticism and force from the wing position that Brooklyn has so sorely lacked — and that fans have called for.
He had 24 points, shot 4-of-7 from deep and 8-of-10 from the foul line. And predictably, he was even better on the other end of the floor, with three blocks and three steals. The points, 3s, free throws and steals all set or tied career bests.
It was a statement for Minott, who has played sparingly since being acquired from Boston on Feb. 5.
“I’ve been waiting on it,” Minott, 23, said of a breakout night. “But at the end of the day, I’m not going to call it pointless — but it’s one goal. So overall, I don’t want to say satisfied, but I’m pretty happy with my performance. But at the end of the day, it’s about getting numbers in the right column.”
Wins will be few and far between for tanking Brooklyn. But they’ll use the stretch run to mine the back end of their roster. There are two-ways to evaluate. Ten-day contracts like newcomer Malachi Smith to assess. And team options to decide on.
Such as Minott.
His six stocks — combined blocks and steals — on Thursday tied Nic Claxton’s Dec. 29 effort as the most by a Net this season. Minott’s near 7-foot wingspan lets him disrupt passing lanes and his athleticism allows him to attack the rim.
“Yeah, he had (a dunk) against the Celtics that was very impressive, and he had one the other day (vs. Detroit). Obviously I didn’t teach him to do that,” joked Jordi Fernández. “What you see is how quick he gets there and you’re like, ‘Oh wow, he’s going to do it.’ And he does it. And everybody’s reaction is pretty cool.
“So, (I’m) excited for him. … The thing that stood out is we’re asking him to pressure the ball, to pick up full court, and he did an amazing job. He’s trying to do everything we ask him to. You see the size. He’s going to let it fly. Those things are positive. So I’m excited to watch him play.”
Minott began the season in the Celtics’ rotation only to see an ankle injury cost him five weeks and momentum in Boston.
After the Nets got him for cash at the trade deadline — $110,000, sources told the Post — and he spent time settling in, now injuries could open the door for Minott in Brooklyn. Day’Ron Sharpe is out for the season, Ziaire Williams has been sick, and there are minutes to be had. Minott made the most of his against the Hawks.
“(It was) just teammates finding me on my cuts when I was open. I owe basically everything to them. I didn’t really do anything that didn’t involve them finding me. So I’d say that’s kind of just what happened,” said Minott.
“Just trying to keep the same rhythm. I understand that they had a rhythm before me, and just not trying to ruin that. I’m just trying to come in, just find a way I can affect the game and just trying to uphold the team and lift the team and its values.”
Fernáandez added “Yeah, it was great. He was aggressive. … He is (a rebounder), he provides size, so good job.”
Grant Nelson, who saw his 10-day expire, returns to Long Island. But sources told The Post he’ll miss the rest of the G-League season with patellar tendinitis. It likely explains why he didn’t get another 10-day after acquitting himself well.
Brooklyn agreed to a 10-day with Smith, per Hoopshype. He averaged 14.4 points, 5.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds with Long Island, shooting 42 percent from 3.
Claxton (rest) and Drake Powell (left knee injury management) are out for the Nets Saturday, while Sharpe and Egor Dëmin are out for the season. Michael Porter Jr. is doubtful vs. the 76ers with a sprained right ankle and Ochai Agbaji (sore left ankle) is probable.
