As trade rumors swirl around the Nets, Jordi Fernandez is simply putting his hands up and saying, “It’s not my job.”
After surpassing league expectations that named the Nets likely to be the worst team in basketball, teams have started to take notice of Brooklyn.
Eyes have specifically been on veteran point guard Dennis Schroder, who is having a near career-best season, but the demands won’t be low for anyone to have a chance at landing the team leader.
The Nets also continue to pique the interest of Jimmy Butler, The Post’s Brian Lewis reported Wednesday.
However, none of the chatter matters to the man at the helm, who has established a new culture with the Nets — leading them to a 10-14 record and putting them in position for the play-in round.
“We love our group, I love my group, so I keep working with them every day going into the game like they are our group and they will be our group,” Fernandez said after practice Thursday. “Whatever happens, that I cannot control. I cannot be talking about it or worrying about it because that’s not, like you said, it’s not my job.”
Fernandez’s players also don’t seem to take the rumors to heart, especially the veterans.
“That’s kind of something you have to deal with your whole career, not really knowing, not really having control,” said seventh-year guard Shake Milton, who was on three teams last season. “I think for me, it’s kind of been [about] staying even-keeled, to not get too high, not get too low … just coming in, being who you are, showing up, being a professional, putting in the work and staying ready regardless of the situation, regardless of what’s going on, and that’s just the way you put yourself in the right position.”
Nic Claxton added, “Just the nature of the business. It’s a part of the league. Happens every year, all around the league. Of course, I’ve seen it a lot, but just you gotta keep the main thing the main thing. We all have a job to do here as long as everybody’s here. We all just got to lock in and take it game by game, practice by practice.”
Claxton said he is feeling like himself again after what Fernandez said was his “best game” Sunday against the Bucks.
The center has dealt with back issues since the middle of November and gradually has increased his minutes.
Sunday, he logged more than 30 minutes on the court for the first time since Nov. 11 while recording 21 points and 10 rebounds.
The Nets found Claxton for a few alley-oops against the Bucks as well, which Fernandez expects to improve over time.
“We know Nic’s ability to put pressure on the rim and go for lobs,” Fernandez said. “Also, we have to be good at throwing them. We were not very good, I think, in the Chicago game.
“Just getting used to it, I think. In my opinion, Nic played his best game last game, and I want to see him put in games together just like that.”
Fernandez had no update on Cam Thomas, who has been out the past six games due to a hamstring injury.
“He’s progressing,” Fernandez said. “He’s done a great job. He’s in a good place.”
Both the star guard and Ziaire Williams (left knee) have been around the team and at practices as they recover.
