Josh Minott gets candid about being traded away from the Celtics

Friday night at TD Garden, the Boston Celtics returned from a West Coast trip that at times felt like a family reunion. They ran into Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis in San Francisco, then saw Marcus Smart when they faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers. Their first game back home was another chance to see a familiar face: Josh Minott.

The former Celtics' wing registered nine points in 16 minutes off the bench in a 148-111 steamrolling by the hosts. Before that tilt tipped off, the Brooklyn Nets' head coach, Jordi Fernandez, shared his perspective on how it has gone so far as his team integrates Minott into their system and team culture.

"Great personality -- just, you could say that he's been a teammate in the group for a long time, the way he's just blended in right away. He knew what we were about," said Fernandez. "Very happy with him and trying to help him develop and see what we got."

Josh Minott's outlook on his trade from the Celtics

While his new bench boss spoke about the 23-year-old wing pregame, after the loss, it was his turn to discuss his departure from Boston. It was a move made at the trade deadline, motivated by the benefits of getting under the luxury tax.

"I was in Boston, now I'm in Brooklyn," expressed Minott, who labeled the trade that sent him to Brooklyn as being above his pay grade. "That's a question for my agent," he continued. "I live, eat, and breathe Brooklyn now."

Minott likely understands the situation, even if the deal may have surprised him. It also helps that he's in a good situation to continue his development. He made it know that he "left on no bitter note."

"I'd say it was probably like my first real taste of adversity since I got drafted. I mean, thank God I've been healthy for the majority of my career. That was definitely a mental test, for sure," said Minott. "Boston staff really helped with my recovery process. Brooklyn has as well since I've been here. It's kind of more fine-tuning now, but it's different when one day you're doing crazy dunks, the next day, you can't walk, you know? I can't get upstairs."

When the regular season got underway, the fourth-year wing quickly ascended into the Celtics' first unit. The idea that his tenure then unfolded how it did shows how difficult it is to achieve consistency in the NBA.

A factor in Minott's inability to reclaim a rotation spot after he fell out of the starting lineup was the ankle injury he referenced. However, as his ability to make his Nets debut in their previous contest, a loss to the San Antonio Spurs, before logging 16 minutes in Boston signals, he's trending in a positive direction.

"I'd say, just getting better in every aspect, just putting the finishing touches on my ankle," conveyed Minott. "Just getting better defensively, just getting back into rhythm, and it's really just getting 1 percent better every day."

After generating 28 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, two steals, and a block in the Celtics' victory, Jaylen Brown praised his now former teammate for how he acclimated himself to Boston.

"It's tough. Obviously, Josh came in the beginning of the year and bought into the system. You know, felt like he grew as a player," said Brown. "He bought into the team. So, it's unfortunate, but you know, Josh was a winner, and we appreciate him for the contributions he made."

Now, the business side of the NBA has relocated him to Brooklyn. There, he will have more opportunities to get steady playing time and to continue his development while playing for another excellent head coach in Fernandez.

While it's unfortunate that it didn't work out for Minott with the Celtics, especially after such a promising start, the Nets are a good landing spot for a young wing who could be back on the free-agent market this offseason.