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Brooklyn Nets
National Basketball Association
Franchise History
Founded 1967 — Founded 1967 as the New Jersey Americans, a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association (ABA). Renamed the New York Nets in 1968 after moving to Long Island; joined the NBA in the 1976 ABA-NBA merger; became the New Jersey Nets in 1977; relocated to Brooklyn as the Brooklyn Nets in 2012.
Trophy case
2
ABA Championships
1974, 1976
Won as the New York Nets, led by Julius Erving ('Dr. J'). 1976 was the final ABA championship before the merger. No NBA championships to date.
0
NBA Championships
The franchise has never won an NBA title. It reached the NBA Finals in back-to-back years (2002 and 2003) under Jason Kidd, losing both.
Retired numbers
3 Drazen Petrovic G, 1991-1993. Retired November 11, 1993, posthumously after his death in a June 1993 car accident.
5 Jason Kidd G, 2001-2008. Retired October 17, 2013. Led the team to consecutive NBA Finals.
15 Vince Carter G/F, 2004-2009. Retired January 25, 2025; the franchise's 7th jersey retirement.
23 John Williamson G, 1973-1980. Retired December 7, 1990. ABA-title-era guard ('Super John').
25 Bill Melchionni G, 1969-1976. Retired 1976. ABA-era playmaker.
32 Julius Erving F, 1973-1976. Retired April 3, 1987. 'Dr. J'; two-time ABA champion and the franchise's defining star.
52 Buck Williams F, 1981-1989. Retired April 11, 1999. Rebounding stalwart of the New Jersey era.
Defining moments
1967 Franchise founded as the New Jersey Americans, an ABA charter team.
1968 Moved to Long Island and renamed the New York Nets.
1976 Won the final ABA title, then joined the NBA in the ABA-NBA merger.
1977 Relocated to New Jersey, becoming the New Jersey Nets.
2002 First NBA Finals appearance under Jason Kidd.
2012 Relocated to Brooklyn and rebranded the Brooklyn Nets, opening Barclays Center.
Notable seasons
1974 ABA champions
First title for the New York Nets, with rookie-of-the-prime Julius Erving leading the way.
1976 ABA champions
Won the final ABA championship over the Denver Nuggets; merged into the NBA months later.
2002 NBA Finals (lost 4-0 to the Lakers)
Jason Kidd's first season transformed the franchise; first NBA Finals appearance, swept by the Lakers.
2003 NBA Finals (lost 4-2 to the Spurs)
Second straight Finals trip; fell to Tim Duncan's San Antonio Spurs.
Legends
Julius Erving F (1973-1976) 'Dr. J'; led the Nets to both ABA titles; later sold to the 76ers before the franchise's first NBA season.
Jason Kidd G (2001-2008) Hall of Fame point guard; drove the only two NBA Finals runs (2002, 2003).
Vince Carter G/F (2004-2009) High-scoring wing who paired with Kidd in the mid-2000s; jersey retired in 2025.
Drazen Petrovic G (1991-1993) Croatian sharpshooter and early international star; number retired after his death.
Buck Williams F (1981-1989) Iron-man rebounder and 1982 NBA Rookie of the Year.
Brook Lopez C (2008-2017) Franchise all-time leading scorer (10,444 points).
All-time records
- Franchise all-time leading scorer Brook Lopez, 10,444 points
- ABA championships 2 (1974, 1976)
- NBA championships 0
- NBA Finals appearances 2 (2002, 2003)
- Retired numbers 7 (Petrovic 3, Kidd 5, Carter 15, Williamson 23, Melchionni 25, Erving 32, Williams 52)
Data notes & gaps
- Tracking-based NBA stats (on/off splits, lineup data, hustle, shot-quality) come from stats.nba.com, which blocks automated access — the ratings & Four Factors here are computed from ESPN box-score totals instead.
Sources
ESPN Schedule, scores, standings, rosters & logos Computed from ESPN box scores Box-score derived — advanced stats Wikipedia - Brooklyn Nets Franchise history Brooklyn Nets retired numbers - RealGM Franchise history ESPN - Nets to retire Vince Carter's No. 15 Franchise history Spotrac Link-out only; not cached wholesale. HoopsHype Link-out only; not cached wholesale. Basketball-Reference Link-out only; not cached wholesale.