Shake Milton is 28, not near the end of his NBA career which has included serious contributions to the 76ers. Now, after the Mikal Bridges trade, he’s found new life in Brooklyn.
There were a lot of sneaky little benefits the Brooklyn Nets extracted from the Knicks in the Mikal Bridges trade in July. In addition to all those first rounders, the Nets got their own second rounder back. The trade generated a $23.3 million trade exception, second biggest in the NBA. Throw-in Mamadi Diakite had a partially guaranteed deal that Sean Marks was able to quickly move for Ziarie Williams and a 2030 second rounder in a deal with Memphis Grizzlies. Diakite is now playing for the Phoenix Sun’s G League affiliate while Williams is a member of the Nets rotation.
Then, there was the final piece of the deal: On July 6 Brooklyn took on Shake Milton, then 27, in a sign-and-trade with New York. The deal was for three years but with only $2.9 million this year guaranteed.
At the time, it was seen as a bit of a ho-hum move. Milton had played for three teams during the 2023-24 season, the final month of the season with the Knicks who barely used him. In 21 regular season games after being acquired in early March, Tom Thibodeau played Milton in only four of them at an average of 4.5 minutes, all garbage time. He didn’t have much better luck in the playoffs, getting into four of 13 post-season games,
His time with the Nets wasn’t that encouraging at the start of this season, but at least he wasn’t limited to garbage time. Then, when half the roster seemingly went down, Jordi Fernandez called “next man up” and in Milton’s next nine games, he’s averaged 10.6 points and 3.0 assists on 50.0% shooting overall and 44.8% from three in a little less that 25 minutes a game. Twice in that stretch, he’s tallied better than 20 points, playing critical minutes. He’s also given Ian Eagle the opportunity to find another rich vein of one-liners — as in “Shake that thang.”
“I think last year in general was more tough, just being traded and seeing what the NBA business is like,” Milton said following Nets’ practice Thursday. “Thankfully, I didn’t have to go too far. You just see it for what it is now, you can see it clearly, and you know how to carry yourself a little bit more. It’s like a little chip on your shoulder, so it’s a good thing…
His head coach loves what Milton can give his team.
“[He’s a] super pro. Great teammate. He just tries to do everything we ask him to do,” said head coach Jordi Fernandez. “He’s been great. We’ve been using him in different ways as a second ball handler, primary ball handler, and he’s gone out there and competed and helped us win big games… It doesn’t matter if you’re in or out [of the rotation], just being ready and working every day and being a good teammate. And he’s done all that. He’s a pro.”
With that limited deal, Milton status beyond this season is uncertain and privately pundits suggest that he, like the teams’ other veterans, may have some trade value. For the moment thought, Milton is thinking about the present and where he’s come from.
“Just kind of being able to get minutes is a blessing,” Milton added. “In this league especially, it’s hard to get in, to stick, it’s hard to make a name for yourself. So, it’s definitely fun being out there. I love the game more than damn near anything. So, it’s always fun to be out there and be able to do what you love.”
In large part, he credits Fernandez with reinvigorating his career, calling it “aggressive” and “free,”
“Those are all things you want to play, want to do when you come into the league. Being able to do it here is amazing.” he said. “It’s fun because it brings out the best in you. It brings out the best in everybody. And when you have something like that and it’s competitive, guys are rooting for each other, it’s a good environment.”
- Shake Milton welcomes stability, increased minutes in first Nets season – Bridget Reilly – New York Post
- Surprise veteran playing key role in Nets’ success amid injuries – Erik Slater – Clutch Points