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Top 10 Brooklyn Nets of All Time: From Dr. J to Durant – The Franchise’s Finest
From the gritty streets of Jersey to the bright lights of Brooklyn, this franchise has seen legends lace ‘em up and leave their mark. Whether it was Dr. J soaring through the ABA, Jason Kidd running the show in back-to-back Finals, or KD pulling up from 30 with ice in his veins, the Nets have built a legacy packed with high-flyers, playmakers, and game-changers.
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This list isn’t just about stats—it’s about impact, moments, and swagger. We’re talking players who broke ankles, shut down arenas, and made fans believe, no matter the zip code.
So whether you rode with the New Jersey squads or rep BK to the fullest, here’s our breakdown of the Top 10 Brooklyn Nets of All Time—players who didn’t just wear the jersey… they defined it.
#10 Kenyon Martin
Power Forward, 6’9”, 234 lbs – New Jersey Nets (2000–2004)
Kenyon Martin brought grit, grind, and no-nonsense defense to a Nets squad that went from forgotten to feared. The No. 1 pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, K-Mart made his presence felt immediately—rim-running, shot-blocking, and throwing down dunks like he had a point to prove.
His chemistry with Jason Kidd became the backbone of the Nets’ back-to-back NBA Finals runs in 2002 and 2003. Martin wasn’t flashy—he was fierce. A tone-setter. An intimidator. When he was on the court, you felt it. And that’s why he earns his spot among the Top 10 Brooklyn Nets of All Time.
Accolades:
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NBA All-Star (2004)
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2× NBA Finals appearances (2002, 2003)
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NBA All-Rookie First Team (2001)
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Averaged 15.1 PPG and 7.6 RPG in four seasons with the Nets
#9 Kenny Anderson
Point Guard, 6’0”, 168 lbs – New Jersey Nets (1991–1996)
Kenny Anderson was the floor general with NYC flair, a lightning-quick point guard who ran the show with swagger and precision. Drafted second overall in 1991, Anderson teamed up with Derrick Coleman and Dražen Petrović to give the Nets one of their most promising young cores ever.
His smooth handle, sharp court vision, and fearless drives made him a constant threat—he could dime you up or drop 30 without breaking a sweat. By the 1993–94 season, Kenny had the keys, averaging nearly 19 points and 10 assists a game and earning his first All-Star nod. He made the Nets relevant—and that’s why he’s locked in at #9.
Accolades:
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NBA All-Star (1994)
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Averaged 15.3 PPG and 6.9 APG over five seasons with the Nets
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One of the youngest All-Stars in franchise history
#8 Dražen Petrović
Shooting Guard, 6’5”, 195 lbs – New Jersey Nets (1991–1993)
Dražen Petrović wasn’t just a shooter—he was a flamethrower with a killer instinct. After arriving from Portland, Petrović quickly became the Nets’ offensive engine, lighting up defenders with elite shot-making, relentless hustle, and a fearlessness that couldn’t be coached.
His 1992–93 season was legendary—22.3 points per game on 52% shooting, unheard-of efficiency for a guard at the time.
He gave the Nets an identity. A reason to believe. And just as the team was rising, tragedy struck with his untimely death in a car accident at just 28. Still, his legacy lives on—Dražen became the soul of the franchise.
Accolades:
- All-NBA Third Team (1993)
- Career-high 22.3 PPG in 1992–93
- No. 3 jersey retired by the Nets
- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (2002)
#7 Brook Lopez
Center, 7’0”, 282 lbs – New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets (2008–2017)
Brook Lopez was a walking bucket in the paint and the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. Drafted 10th overall in 2008, Lopez brought consistency to a team often stuck in transition. Whether it was his smooth post moves, feathery touch, or surprising three-point range late in his tenure, Lopez always delivered on the offensive end.
He carried the franchise through tough years and never complained—just put in work. For nearly a decade, Lopez was the one constant in a sea of change, and his name sits all over the Nets’ record books for a reason.
Accolades:
- Nets all-time leading scorer (10,444 points)
- NBA All-Star (2013)
- Averaged 18.6 PPG and 7.1 RPG over nine seasons
- Franchise leader in blocks
#6 Vince Carter
Shooting Guard/Small Forward, 6’6”, 220 lbs – New Jersey Nets (2004–2009)
Vince Carter came to Jersey with highlight reels in tow—and delivered even more in a Nets uniform. Already known as “Half-Man, Half-Amazing,” VC evolved into a clutch scorer, leader, and triple-threat weapon. Pairing with Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, Carter gave the Nets a legit shot every night with deep threes, gravity-defying dunks, and ice-cold daggers in the clutch.
He averaged over 20 points per game every season with the team, and for five straight years, Carter was the go-to guy. He may have been known for his dunks, but his game in Jersey was complete.
Accolades:
- 3× All-Star with the Nets
- Averaged 23.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.7 APG over five seasons
- 6th in franchise history in total points
#5 Derrick Coleman
Power Forward, 6’10”, 230 lbs – New Jersey Nets (1990–1995)
Derrick Coleman was a walking mismatch—power forward size with small forward skills. Drafted No. 1 overall in 1990, Coleman wasted no time taking over the league. He had post presence, deep range, handles, and rebounding—everything you’d want from a modern big before the league even knew it needed one.
In his prime, D.C. was putting up 20 and 10 like clockwork, earning All-NBA honors and leading the Nets to back-to-back playoff runs in the early ’90s. He had superstar talent and carried New Jersey on his shoulders during one of the franchise’s most competitive stretches.
Accolades:
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1991)
- NBA All-Star (1994)
- All-NBA Third Team (1993)
- Averaged 19.9 PPG and 10.6 RPG with the Nets
#4 Buck Williams
Power Forward, 6’8”, 215 lbs – New Jersey Nets (1981–1989)
Before the flash and flair, Buck Williams brought blue-collar dominance to the Nets.
He showed up, punched the clock, and outworked everyone. A relentless rebounder and interior presence, Buck was the engine of the Nets in the ‘80s, earning three All-Star nods and putting the franchise on his back during a rebuilding era.
Buck’s no-nonsense game led to big results—he left as the Nets’ all-time leader in rebounds and win shares, and to this day, his toughness and professionalism remain the gold standard for Nets bigs.
Accolades:
- 3× NBA All-Star
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1982)
- All-NBA Second Team (1983)
- Nets’ all-time leader in rebounds
#3 Kevin Durant
Small Forward/Power Forward, 6’10”, 240 lbs – Brooklyn Nets (2020–2023)
Kevin Durant’s time in Brooklyn was short—but his brilliance was undeniable. When healthy, KD was dropping 30 with surgical precision, hitting impossible shots, and dominating on both ends. His 2021 playoff run was one of the greatest in recent memory—49 points, 17 boards, 10 assists in Game 5 vs. Milwaukee? Unreal. A toe on the line kept him from pulling off a miracle.
Though off-court drama and injuries clouded his tenure, Durant gave Brooklyn its highest level of pure talent ever. He carried the franchise through chaos, and for that, he earns this top-three spot.
Accolades:
- 2× All-NBA with Brooklyn
- Averaged 29.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 5.8 APG
- Epic 2021 playoff performances (34.3 PPG)
#2 Julius ‘Dr. J’ Erving
Small Forward, 6’7”, 210 lbs – New York Nets (ABA, 1973–1976)
Before he was an NBA icon, Dr. J was the face of the ABA—and the Nets were his canvas. Erving played with grace and violence, gliding through defenders and throwing down dunks that shook the rim and the league’s foundation. He led the Nets to two ABA championships, and in that league, he was the guy.
Erving wasn’t just a star—he was a cultural force. With the fro, the flash, and the footwork, he made basketball beautiful. And when you bring two titles to a franchise, you get a spot near the top.
Accolades:
- 2× ABA Champion (1974, 1976)
- 3× ABA MVP (all with the Nets)
- ABA Playoffs scoring leader (several seasons)
- No. 32 retired by the Nets
#1 Jason Kidd
Point Guard, 6’4”, 210 lbs – New Jersey Nets (2001–2008)
Jason Kidd didn’t just change the Nets—he resurrected them. When he landed in New Jersey in 2001, the franchise had zero buzz and fewer wins. Two years later? Back-to-back NBA Finals appearances, a new identity, and one of the greatest runs in team history.
Kidd was the maestro—dropping dimes, ripping rebounds, locking up guards, and leading with unmatched poise. He turned average players into weapons and made the Nets must-watch. More than just stats, Kidd brought legitimacy. The Nets were never the same after he arrived—and haven’t been the same since he left.
Accolades:
- 2× NBA Finals appearances (2002, 2003)
- 5× NBA All-Star with the Nets
- 3× All-NBA, 6× All-Defensive Team
- No. 5 jersey retired by the franchise
Want More All-Time Greats?
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By Reece Lightner
Founder & Editorial Director, Sortie Sports
Lifelong sports fan, Penn State Journalism grad, and former PR pro with the Colts and MEAC.
📧 reece@sortiesports.com | Author Bio | @reecelightner on X
