The Nets established themselves as sellers well before this month’s NBA trade deadline, parting with point guard Dennis Schroder and forward Dorian Finney-Smith in separate deals in December. Last week, Brooklyn agreed to a buyout with point guard Ben Simmons, who has since signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Brooklyn Nets are 4-1 over their last five games, and their surging defense is responsible. Jordi Fernandez’s squad ranks first defensively during the winning stretch, allowing 96.6 points per game on 40.

The Brooklyn Nets (19-34) have been playing some stout defense over the past couple of weeks as they seek to win games without having to put up a ton of points against their opponents. In Monday's game against the Charlotte Hornets (13-38),