Last Updated on May 24, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The Brooklyn Nets have featured some of the NBA’s most gifted playmakers across their ABA and NBA history. From flashy point guards to versatile forwards capable of orchestrating entire offenses, the franchise has had elite passers in multiple eras. These players didn’t just rack up assists — they controlled tempo, created easy scoring opportunities, and elevated teammates around them.
Jason Kidd
Position: Point Guard
Years with Nets: 2001–2008
Assists with Nets: Franchise leader in assists during the Brooklyn/New Jersey NBA era
Achievements
- 5-time NBA All-Star with the Nets
- Led Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances
- NBA assists leader
- One of the greatest triple-double threats ever
Jason Kidd transformed the Nets immediately after arriving from the Phoenix Suns in 2001. His elite court vision, transition passing, and basketball IQ helped turn the franchise into a contender almost overnight. Kidd excelled at pushing the pace and finding teammates before defenses could react, making him one of the greatest pure passers in NBA history.
Kevin Johnson
Position: Point Guard
Years with Nets: 1987–1988
Assists with Nets: Emerging playmaker early in career
Achievements
- Future 5-time NBA All-Star
- One of the fastest guards of his era
- Excellent pick-and-roll passer
Although Kevin Johnson became a star with the Phoenix Suns, his brief stint with the Nets showcased his explosive speed and passing instincts. He could penetrate defenses at will and create opportunities for teammates in transition and half-court sets alike.
Deron Williams
Position: Point Guard
Years with Nets: 2011–2015
Assists with Nets: One of franchise’s modern assist leaders
Achievements
- 3-time NBA All-Star before joining Nets
- Elite pick-and-roll facilitator
- Strong perimeter creator
Deron Williams brought high-level playmaking to the Nets during the franchise’s move to Brooklyn. At his peak, he was one of the NBA’s best point guards thanks to his combination of passing creativity, ball-handling, and decision-making. Williams thrived in pick-and-roll situations and consistently created quality shots for teammates.
Vince Carter
Position: Shooting Guard / Forward
Years with Nets: 2004–2009
Assists with Nets: Excellent secondary playmaker
Achievements
- NBA superstar scorer and playmaker
- Multiple All-Star appearances with Nets
- Versatile offensive creator
While Vince Carter is mostly remembered for his scoring and athleticism, he was also a highly underrated passer. Carter often operated as a point-forward for the Nets, creating offense from the wing and delivering sharp passes to cutters and shooters.
Kenny Anderson
Position: Point Guard
Years with Nets: 1991–1996
Assists with Nets: Among franchise assist leaders
Achievements
- NBA All-Star
- Elite ball-handler and passer
- One of the best young guards of the 1990s
Kenny Anderson entered the league with enormous expectations and quickly became one of the Nets’ top playmakers. His handle, creativity, and ability to distribute the ball made him one of the most entertaining point guards of his generation.
Dražen Petrović
Position: Shooting Guard
Years with Nets: 1991–1993
Assists with Nets: Strong passing guard alongside scoring ability
Achievements
- One of Europe’s greatest basketball players
- Elite shooter and offensive creator
- Hall of Fame player
Dražen Petrović is remembered primarily as an elite scorer and shooter, but he was also an intelligent passer capable of creating offense for teammates. His feel for the game and quick decision-making made him an effective all-around offensive player.
Kyrie Irving
Position: Point Guard
Years with Nets: 2019–2023
Assists with Nets: High-level offensive initiator
Achievements
- NBA champion
- One of the most skilled ball-handlers ever
- Multiple All-Star appearances with Nets
Kyrie Irving combined elite scoring with highly creative passing during his time in Brooklyn. His ability to break down defenders forced defenses to collapse, opening passing lanes that he exploited with impressive touch and vision.
Stephon Marbury
Position: Point Guard
Years with Nets: 1996–1999
Assists with Nets: Dynamic young floor general
Achievements
- NBA All-Star
- Exceptional transition passer
- Explosive offensive guard
Stephon Marbury brought speed, flair, and playmaking ability to the Nets in the late 1990s. He thrived with the ball in his hands and was particularly dangerous in transition, where his passing instincts created easy baskets.
Ben Simmons
Position: Point Forward
Years with Nets: 2022–2025
Assists with Nets: Versatile facilitator from forward position
Achievements
- Multi-time All-Star
- Elite size for a playmaker
- Strong transition creator
At his best, Ben Simmons offered a rare blend of size and passing vision. His ability to function as a point-forward gave the Nets a unique offensive dimension, especially in transition situations where he could quickly generate scoring chances.
James Harden
Position: Guard
Years with Nets: 2021–2022
Assists with Nets: Elite short-term playmaker
Achievements
- NBA MVP
- One of league’s best offensive creators
- Multiple-time assists leader
James Harden’s Nets tenure was relatively short, but his passing impact was enormous. Harden controlled offensive possessions with patience and precision, consistently creating open looks through pick-and-roll reads and cross-court passes.
Honorable Mentions
- Sam Cassell
- Mookie Blaylock
- Devin Harris
- Spencer Dinwiddie
- Caris LeVert
- Micheal Ray Richardson
The Nets have featured a surprisingly deep history of talented playmakers. Jason Kidd remains the franchise’s definitive passing legend, but many other guards and point-forwards helped shape the team’s offensive identity across different eras.