Nets' Dariq Whitehead working to move up in pecking order as he returns from injury

PHILADELPHIA — The Nets' rebuild means more chances for their young players to grow. For Dariq Whitehead, it’s at a slower pace than his fellow 2023 Nets draftees.

Noah Clowney and Jalen Wilson were the first reserves off the bench in the first two preseason games. Clowney started Wednesday’s preseason 117-95 loss to the 76ers at Wells Fargo Center with Ben Simmons out for pre-planned load management.

Whitehead’s been among the last reserves in garbage time during second halves. It’s not ideal but after three surgeries since August 2022, including two foot procedures before last year’s draft, Whitehead has an uphill road to finding playing time.

He played just four minutes in the Nets’ (1-2) second preseason game after 12 minutes in the first. On Wednesday, he played the final 4:39 alongside most of the Nets’ second unit but shot just 0-3 from the field.

“Right now, it's more so just making sure I'm doing the right things I need to do with the team in order to be able to be out there and help the guys,” Whitehead said Wednesday. “I feel like that's a part of me trusting my body, which is a good thing.”

If anything, this feels more like Whitehead’s true rookie year after playing just two games last season before shin surgery in January. The preseason pecking order suggests he’ll start the season outside the main rotation and could spend some time in the G-League.

Whitehead’s also shaking off a rough Summer League showing. He shot just 6-for-41 from the field, including 2-for-24 on threes. The Nets coaches reminded him to focus on the positives, such as building up stamina during open runs.

“If you take the right shots, at the end of the day, they're going to go in,” coach Jordi Fernandez said about Whitehead. “So you have to control the controllables. It's not just shooting the ball, but it's taking the right shots, but also, doing the right things defensively.”

At times, Whitehead was frustrated he couldn’t be the player he was before the surgeries. But he’s learning to accept where he’s at on a Nets team loaded with experienced wings.

That’s why it’s about maximizing the time and finding small wins. Through three games, he’s 2-for-5 on threes — a smaller sample size than the Summer but better accuracy.

It’s not where Wilson and Clowney are as they’re firmly in the Nets rotation. Yet Whitehead is content being patient, even it means working harder to find a role.

“[Jalen and Noah] had to do the same thing last year and fight for their minutes. I'm not exempt from that,” Whitehead said. “I got to do the same thing this year and fight for my minutes. They earned their minutes. So, that's pretty much where I'm at with it now.”

Notes & quotes: Simmons’ absence Wednesday wasn’t due to injury, Fernandez said. The Nets predetermined he’d play three out of four preseason games after back surgery in March . . . Cam Thomas had 17 points against the 76ers but the Nets had 20 turnovers leading to 31 76ers points . . . the Nets' final preseason game is Friday hosting Toronto.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.