At Thursday’s trade deadline, most of the attention in Brooklyn was around Cam Thomas being waived and Michael Porter Jr. being kept.
But now in the aftermath, it’ll be on Josh Minott and Ochai Agbaji being added — and how the under-the-radar pair can fit into the rebuild of the Nets, who beat the Wizards 127-113 at Barclays Center on Saturday.
“We know they’re very good players. That’s why they’re here,” coach Jordi Fernández said. “Show me what you can bring to the group, and if you can be part of this group, you can be a future Net.
“Ball pressure is our first staple. Every time you can apply ball pressure — full-court or half-court — you can create turnovers and deflections and make the other team uncomfortable late in the clock. We believe those guys can do that, and I’m excited to watch them play.”
Both newcomers were available Saturday vs. Washington, though neither saw action.
Brooklyn actually had a clean injury report with every roster player except the two-ways available.
The Wizards suiting up just eight sent the tank-happy Nets fans into a fervor.
Nevertheless, on a young Nets team trying to build around youth and disruption, there are opportunities for both Minott and Agbaji to carve out roles.
“For me it’s about staying true to the values I’ve learned over my 3 ½ years in the league, especially the work ethic,” said Minott, still just 23. “I’ve been around some winning organizations. Understanding what we did right and what it takes to make those playoff pushes, it’s about bringing that over.
“Defensively, I line up with the core values here, pressure and being disruptive. My shooting has come a long way too. I can confidently say that’s a strength and I believe in taking the right, open shots.”
League observers who spoke with The Post particularly cited the move for Minott, 6-foot-8, 212 pounds, as shrewd.
A second-round pick by Minnesota, he was acquired by Boston and promptly won a starting spot with his energy, defense and athleticism.
He averaged 10.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals in a seven-game stretch earlier this season.
But Minott hit a slump before suffering a severe ankle injury that sidelined him for five weeks.
He lost playing time to Hugo González, Jordan Walsh and Baylor Scheierman, and with Boston facing both a roster and cap crunch, the Nets squeezed them for Minott, sending no picks or players and just the minimum cash required to make a deal official ($110,000, per sources).
With Noah Clowney, Ziaire Williams and Danny Wolf all having their various struggles, there is opportunity for Minott.
Now in Brooklyn, he plans to bring the same fire that earned him early playing time this season in Boston.
“It was the hunger I was playing with. That’s something I’m definitely bringing here, the hunger and desperation,” said Minott. “I know this organization values that mindset of disruption. I saw we’re near the top of the league in pickup points, so it’s not just talk. I’m bringing that drive and determination.”
Agbaji, 25, arrives with more experience, first with Utah and then Toronto.
The off guard arrives managing just 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds on 42/19/86 shooting splits, having backslid badly from a career year a season ago when he averaged 10.4 points and 3.8 boards on 50/40/71.
“For me it’s about getting back to myself and who I know I can be,” Agbaji said. “That’s super important in this league and it’s what I work for and what I’m trying to show again.
“First, my defense and the intensity I play with every single night. I’m always trying to win every possession. That’s who I am as a player. I know I have a lot more to show. I had a great season last year and I’m trying to build on that. My time in Toronto was great, but I’m looking forward to what I can do here.”
Agbaji played at Kansas alongside Jalen Wilson, winning an NCAA title.
“I hosted him on his recruiting visit. I’ve known him a long time and seen him grow,” said Agbaji. “Ending up teammates with him again is great. It makes this feel even more like home.”