The Brooklyn Nets have finalized their roster for the upcoming NBA campaign by signing 7-footer Grant Nelson to a two-way contract. The 24-year-old forward fills the team's final two-way spot, a move first reported by HoopsHype and confirmed by The New York Post. This signing comes as the Nets look to build on a recent stretch where they lost their last two games, including a 125-108 defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks on April 11, 2026. NY Post Sports first reported the story.
Who is Grant Nelson and what is his background?
Grant Nelson is an undrafted forward who played college basketball at North Dakota State and Alabama. He earned first team All-Summit League honors during his time with the Bison. In the SEC with the Crimson Tide, he averaged nearly 12 points per game. Nelson joined the Nets last season on an Exhibit 10 deal. He only made four appearances for Brooklyn but played 23 games for their G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.
His performance in the G League was solid. Nelson averaged 11.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 54.9 percent from the field. That production earned him a call-up to the NBA roster. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by patellar tendinitis. The injury kept him out of Summer League action this year, though he did travel with the team to Las Vegas to continue his rehabilitation.
Why does this signing matter for the Brooklyn Nets?
This move rounds out the Nets' two-way contract slots for the 2026-27 season. Nelson joins rookie second-round pick Tyler Bilodeau and second-year pro Chaney Johnson on two-way deals. Johnson impressed many with his play at the Las Vegas Summer League. The Nets also have 15 players under standard NBA contracts, completing their primary roster. Teams can still add players for training camp, but the core group is now set.
Nelson provides the team with additional frontcourt depth. His size and scoring ability in the G League show potential that the Nets' development staff can work with. For a team that finished its previous season with a 2-3 record in its last five games (LLWWL), adding young, hungry players is important. You can track the team's progress and check the full [squad](/squad) as the season approaches.
What comes next for the Nets and Nelson?
The immediate focus for Grant Nelson will be getting fully healthy and competing for a role. Training camp will be his first real chance to show the coaching staff what he can do at the NBA level. The Nets' recent form, having lost their last two contests, indicates there are areas to improve. Internal competition from players on two-way deals can help push the entire roster.
Brooklyn's front office has signaled confidence in Nelson's development by bringing him back. His path mirrors that of many players who use the G League as a springboard. If he can stay healthy, he offers a different look with his 7-foot frame. The Nets will hope he can contribute more than the four games he played last year. Fans can follow his and the team's statistical journey on our [stats](/stats) page throughout the season.
Looking at the bigger picture, the Nets are solidifying their options before camp. The two-way contract gives them flexibility to move Nelson between Brooklyn and Long Island as needed. It's a low-risk move with potential upside for a player who has already shown he can produce in the G League. The team's performance last April, including that loss to Milwaukee, is in the past. Now, the work begins to prepare for a new year and improve upon those results.
