Last Updated on December 23, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake

Here’s a list of Brooklyn Nets Legends, including their time as the New Jersey Nets, highlighting players, coaches, and contributors who have significantly impacted the franchise:

Jason Kidd

  • Position: Point Guard
  • Years Played: 2001–2008
  • Achievements:
    • 5× NBA All-Star with the Nets (2002–2004, 2007, 2008)
    • 2× All-NBA First Team (2002, 2004)
    • Led the Nets to 2 NBA Finals appearances (2002, 2003)
    • Nets all-time leader in assists
    • Hall of Fame Inductee (2018)
  • Kidd is the greatest player in franchise history, known for his elite playmaking, leadership, and defense.

Julius Erving (“Dr. J”)

  • Position: Small Forward
  • Years Played (ABA): 1973–1976
  • Achievements:
    • 2× ABA Champion (1974, 1976)
    • 2× ABA Playoff MVP
    • 3× ABA MVP
    • Hall of Fame Inductee (1993)
  • Dr. J was the face of the franchise in the ABA era, bringing style and dominance to the court and cementing the Nets’ legacy before the NBA merger.

Buck Williams

  • Position: Power Forward
  • Years Played: 1981–1989
  • Achievements:
    • 3× NBA All-Star (1982, 1983, 1986)
    • NBA Rookie of the Year (1982)
    • Nets’ all-time leader in rebounds
    • Nets retired his jersey number (#52).
  • Williams was the cornerstone of the team in the 1980s, known for his toughness, rebounding, and consistency.

Brook Lopez

  • Position: Center
  • Years Played: 2008–2017
  • Achievements:
    • Nets’ all-time leading scorer
    • NBA All-Star (2013)
    • Consistent scorer and shot-blocker during his tenure
  • Lopez was the face of the franchise during the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Vince Carter (“Vinsanity”)

  • Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
  • Years Played: 2004–2009
  • Achievements:
    • 4× NBA All-Star with the Nets (2005–2007)
    • All-NBA Third Team (2007)
  • Known for his high-flying dunks and scoring ability, Carter revitalized the franchise during his time in New Jersey.

Richard Jefferson

  • Position: Small Forward
  • Years Played: 2001–2008
  • Achievements:
    • Key player in the Nets’ back-to-back Finals appearances (2002, 2003)
    • Nets’ top-10 all-time scorer
  • Jefferson was a versatile scorer and defender who played a pivotal role in the team’s early 2000s success.

Dražen Petrović

  • Position: Shooting Guard
  • Years Played: 1991–1993
  • Achievements:
    • NBA All-NBA Third Team (1993)
    • Nets retired his jersey number (#3).
    • Hall of Fame Inductee (2002)
  • Petrović was one of the best European players in NBA history and a brilliant scorer before his untimely death.

Kenyon Martin

  • Position: Power Forward
  • Years Played: 2000–2004
  • Achievements:
    • NBA All-Star (2004)
    • Key player in the Nets’ Finals runs (2002, 2003)
  • Known for his defensive intensity and athleticism, Martin was a cornerstone of the Nets’ success in the early 2000s.

Kevin Durant

  • Position: Forward
  • Years Played: 2019–2023
  • Achievements:
    • 2× NBA All-Star with the Nets (2021, 2022)
    • All-NBA Second Team (2022)
  • Durant brought star power to the Brooklyn era and led the team in multiple playoff appearances.

Deron Williams

  • Position: Point Guard
  • Years Played: 2011–2015
  • Achievements:
    • 2× NBA All-Star with the Nets (2012, 2013)
  • Williams was the centerpiece of the Nets’ early Brooklyn years, known for his scoring and playmaking.

Other Legends:

  • Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett: Short but impactful stint during the 2013–2014 season.
  • Joe Johnson: 6× All-Star (1× with Nets in 2014), known for his clutch scoring.
  • Spencer Dinwiddie: A key scorer and playmaker during the late 2010s.
  • Caris LeVert: Fan favorite for his versatility and perseverance through injuries.
  • Keith Van Horn: Consistent scorer in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Franchise Builders:

  • Byron Scott (Coach): Led the Nets to two NBA Finals appearances (2002, 2003).
  • Chuck Daly (Coach): Hall of Fame coach who led the team in the early 1990s.

These legends have defined the franchise during its different eras, from the ABA to the New Jersey Nets to the Brooklyn Nets.