The Brooklyn Nets are taking a cautious approach with Mikel Brown Jr., limiting the young guard’s playing time as he continues to adjust to the rigors of an NBA season. Brown, the No. 6 overall pick in this year’s draft and the Nets’ highest selection in 16 years, remains under a minutes restriction that is expected to last for the foreseeable future.

Coach Jordi Fernández emphasized the team’s long-term plan following Friday’s practice, noting that Brown’s workload will be gradually increased rather than rushing him back to full-time duty. “It’s how it is until we change it,” Fernández said. “We know the sample size is going to be way bigger. It’s not just, ‘Oh, one game, he’s good to go.’ … Is he going to play all 82 games? No. We feel like he can take steps, and at some point, he’ll be able to play more games and back-to-backs. But it’s not right now or anytime soon.”

Brown missed the Nets’ first three preseason games due to an ankle injury and was then held to limited minutes in subsequent appearances, including just under 20 minutes in Brooklyn’s season-opening loss to the Charlotte Hornets. In that game, he contributed six points, three rebounds, and three assists.

The 20-year-old’s health has been a key consideration for the Nets, given his injury history. During his single collegiate season at Louisville, Brown missed 14 games because of a lower back injury. Despite that, Brooklyn was confident enough in his recovery and potential to secure him with a top draft pick.

“We’re going to build him to be healthy and a strong NBA player,” Fernández added. “We have a plan for him. The No. 1 thing is to build him up and strengthen his body to sustain the minutes that can help the team win games.”

Brown’s impact was undeniable in college, where Louisville posted a 16-3 record with him on the court before his injury sidelined him for the postseason. His scoring ability was highlighted by a 29-point performance against Kentucky and an ACC freshman single-game record 45 points in February.

The Nets showed they need Brown’s versatility and scoring prowess in their lineup; their struggles were evident in their opener, with just two players reaching double-digit scoring. However, teammates urge patience as Brown develops.

“He has so many tools to be elite offensively and defensively in the future,” said teammate Michael Porter Jr. “He’s a high-level scorer, a high-level shotmaker, and can get others involved. As he gets more minutes, it’ll slow down for him. He has a very bright future.”

Brown’s much-anticipated matchup against his friend and mentor Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland on Saturday may see limited shared court time, reflecting the Nets’ deliberate strategy to prioritize his long-term health and growth over immediate minutes.