Terance Mann returned to his hometown this offseason after being traded to the Brooklyn Nets as part of the deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. As a Brooklyn native, Mann has an opportunity to shine with his new team, and during an interview with the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn, the guard claimed he intends to make the most of it.
While speaking about the Nets’ outlook toward this upcoming season, Mann said:
“I’ve been with those guys a ton this summer, and they’re super hungry, willing to learn basketball. It’s going to be fun. I’m excited for the challenge, and I feel like I was built for this. I’m in my prime right now and ready to show the world what I’ve really got outside this role I’ve been playing for the last six seasons.”
Brooklyn’s offseason has been interesting to say the least. Since parting ways with most of their old core, the team features a distinct lack of veteran experience. At just 28 years old, Mann, alongside the latest addition, Haywood Highsmith, is the oldest player on the team. He addressed this aspect by saying:
“It’s going to be crazy to play in an environment like that, something new. I’m one of the oldest guys on the team, want to be a leader, show those guys what it takes to win.”
This presents Mann with an interesting opportunity, much like most of his teammates. With virtually no expectations to succeed and no core in place, the 28-year-old guard could be a crucial figure in helping the franchise establish a new identity with its young squad.
Just as Michael Porter Jr. could become one of the premier scoring figures in the league in the upcoming season, Mann could also have a pivotal season.
The former Clippers guard showed a lot of potential to become a solid two-way player early in his career. After an impressive 39-point performance against the Utah Jazz in the 2021 postseason, Mann showcased his high ceiling. Unfortunately, due to the team’s structure and veteran-driven rotation, he had limited room to develop.
In this regard, the move to the Atlanta Hawks last season gave the guard a chance to expand his range of contributions. With the Hawks, he saw a minor uptick in playing time, but his role was more significant.
This resulted in increased productivity, as he averaged 9.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, while shooting 54.1% from the field and 38.6% from three-point range in 31 appearances for the team.
Given the Nets’ current squad, Mann is likely to earn himself a starting spot next season. With the chance to showcase his range of contributions, the 28-year-old could certainly be due to have a breakout season.
