Brooklyn Nets
Franchise Overview 1968-2021 (54 seasons)

Teams New York Brooklyn Nets History Franchise Overview

The club was established in 1967 as a charter franchise of the NBA's rival league, the American Basketball Association (ABA). They played in New Jersey as the New Jersey Americans during their first season, before relocating to Long Island, New York, in 1968 and changing their name to the New York Nets. During this time, the Nets won two ABA championships (in 1974 and 1976). In 1976, the ABA merged with the NBA, and the Nets were absorbed into the NBA along with three other ABA teams (the San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, and Denver Nuggets), all of whom remain in the league to this day. In 1977, the team returned to New Jersey and played as the New Jersey Nets from 1977 to 2012. Led by star point guard Jason Kidd, the Nets reached the finals of two consecutive NBA seasons (2001–02 and 2002–03), but failed to win either title. In the summer of 2012, the team moved to Barclays Center in Brooklyn, becoming the first major sports franchise in the borough since the departure of the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team in 1957. Since moving to Brooklyn, the Nets have qualified for the playoffs on six occasions, including trips to the Conference Semifinals in 2014 and 2021.

The club was established in 1967 as a charter franchise of the NBA's rival league, the American Basketball Association (ABA). They played in New Jersey as the New Jersey Americans during their first season, before relocating to Long Island, New York, in 1968 and changing their name to the New York Nets. During this time, the Nets won two ABA championships (in 1974 and 1976). In 1976, the ABA merged with the NBA, and the Nets were absorbed into the NBA along with three other ABA teams (the San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, and Denver Nuggets), all of whom remain in the league to this day. In 1977, the team returned to New Jersey and played as the New Jersey Nets from 1977 to 2012. Led by star point guard Jason Kidd, the Nets reached the finals of two consecutive NBA seasons (2001–02 and 2002–03), but failed to win either title. In the summer of 2012, the team moved to Barclays Center in Brooklyn, becoming the first major sports franchise in the borough since the departure of the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team in 1957. Since moving to Brooklyn, the Nets have qualified for the playoffs on six occasions, including trips to the Conference Semifinals in 2014 and 2021.

1975 New York Nets

1968-2021 (54 seasons)

Brooklyn Nets Team History

All-time franchise record

1907-2459 (.437)

2 championships in 5 appearances

Franchise History

2013-2021

Brooklyn Nets (NBA)

1978-2012

New Jersey Nets (NBA)

1977

New York Nets (NBA)

1969-1976

New York Nets (ABA)

1968

New Jersey Americans (ABA)

Top Seasons

Year Record Result

2003 49-33 Lost NBA Finals

2002 52-30 Lost NBA Finals

1976 55-29 Won ABA Finals

1974 55-29 Won ABA Finals

1972 44-40 Lost ABA Finals

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Last 5 Seasons

Year Record Result

2021 48-24 Lost Conference Semifinals

2020 35-37 Lost First Round

2019 42-40 Lost First Round

2018 28-54 Missed Playoffs

2017 20-62 Missed Playoffs

View All Nets Seasons

1st Round Draft Picks

Year Rd/Pick Player

2021 1 / 27 Cameron Thomas SG

2020 1 / 19 Saddiq Bey SF

2019 1 / 17 Nickeil Alexander-Walker SG

2019 1 / 27 Mfiondu Kabengele C

2018 1 / 29 Džanan Musa SF

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Longest Serving GM's

Tenure Years General Manager

2016-21 6 Sean Marks

1991-96 6 Willis Reed

2011-16 6 Billy King

2001-08 6 Rod Thorn

1970-81 4 Charles Theokas

View All Nets General Managers

Team Owners

Tenure Years Owner

2020-21 2 Joseph Tsai

2011-19 9 Mikhail Prokhorov

2005-10 6 Bruce Ratner

2000-04 5 YankeesNets LLC

1999 1 Lewis Katz

1999 1 Raymond Chambers

1979-98 20 Alan Cohen

1979-98 20 The Secaucus Seven

1979-98 20 Joe Taub

1970-78 9 Roy Boe

1968-69 2 Arthur J. Brown

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F i l t e r & S o r t

Brooklyn Nets Media Guidepublication

Brooklyn Nets Media Guide

58 issues 1968-2025

This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history,...