Report: Nets to guarantee Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Martin for 2025-26

NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets will have some matters to ponder before the NBA's trade deadline in February approaches, especially in terms of who will be on the team afterwards. The main focus that pundits will have with regards to who Brooklyn gets in a trade, there is also something to be said about the players that the Nets choose to keep at this time as well.

"The number one thing is, those guys have been amazing. I know both want to play, and they're not necessarily happy that they're not playing, but they're not a negative energy," Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez said of forwards Tyrese Martin and Jalen Wilson prior to Wednesday's game against the Orlando Magic. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported earlier on Wednesday that Brooklyn will fully guarantee the duo's contract for the rest of the 2025-26 season.

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"They're a positive energy for the group. You guys have seen it when they're on the bench, when they have a chance to play," Fernandez continued. "Once again, opportunities will come. I know they will be ready. I'm very happy with the work they've done, and I trust both of them. So, that's a big part of what we do. That's how any job works."

Martin, 26, is averaging 7.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 38.5% from the field and 32.2% from behind the three-point line in 29 games played. Wilson, 25, is averaging 4.9 points and 1.0 rebounds per game while shooting 36.8% from the floor and 35.5% from deep in 23 appearances this season. As Brian Lewis of the New York Post wrote Wednesday on X, Brooklyn had until 5 PM ET to decide if they were going to keep any non-guaranteed contracts on the roster.

In the grand scheme of things, the Nets have a league-leading $15.3 million in cap space so guaranteeing the contracts of Martin and Wilson for the rest of the season, valued at $2.2 million each, isn't too much of a financial strain. While Martin and Wilson will look to contribute on the Nets for the rest of the season, there is a possibility that guaranteeing their deals makes them easier to trade if opposing teams are also interested in their services.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Report: Nets to guarantee Jalen Wilson, Tyrese Martin for 2025-26