The Brooklyn Nets have always been a franchise steeped in evolution, from their roots as the New Jersey Americans in 1967 to their current incarnation in Brooklyn. Over nearly six decades, the team has cycled through names, cities, and a staggering 52 different jersey numbers worn by more than 600 players. Each number tells a story, and today, the spotlight shines on a lesser-known but respected figure in Nets history: Joe Kleine, the sixth of ten players to don the No. 35 jersey.
Kleine’s career arc is a classic NBA tale, marked by resilience, adaptability, and a knack for finding his place within a constantly shifting league. After wrapping up a standout college run at Arkansas, where his size and skill made him a force to be reckoned with, Kleine was selected sixth overall in the 1985 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. For a young man from Colorado Springs, Colorado, it was the start of a journey that would take him across the country and through some of the game’s most storied franchises.
His early years with the Kings saw him honing his craft as a reliable big man, learning the ropes in a league teeming with talent. But it was his role as a journeyman—moving from the Boston Celtics to the Phoenix Suns, and then to the Los Angeles Lakers—that truly defined his NBA experience. By the time he landed with the New Jersey Nets in 1997, Kleine had already built a reputation as a dependable presence in the paint, a player who could be counted on for solid minutes and steady production.
During his brief tenure with the Nets, Kleine wore the No. 35 jersey and averaged 3.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. While those numbers might not leap off the stat sheet, they offered stability to a team that, like its new center, was in the midst of transition. All stats and data are courtesy of Basketball Reference, underscoring the accuracy and reliability of his contributions during that stretch.
Kleine’s time in New Jersey was short-lived; he moved on to sign with the Chicago Bulls in the offseason. Yet, his stint with the Nets remains a testament to the franchise’s rich tapestry—a reminder that every player, no matter how brief their stay, leaves a mark on the team’s enduring narrative. The journey of the Nets themselves, from their ABA origins to their current NBA status, mirrors the paths of many players who have worn their jerseys: full of change, challenge, and the constant pursuit of growth.
Fast forward to the present day, and the Nets are once again grappling with questions of roster identity and asset allocation—this time at the center position. The conversation has shifted from the journeyman days of Joe Kleine to the dynamic duo of Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe, two players who have both staked their claim as starting-quality pivots in today’s NBA.
As of January 9, 2026, the Nets find themselves in a peculiar position. On the one hand, having two capable centers is a luxury most teams would envy. On the other, for a team currently in a rebuilding phase—often referred to as “tanking” in NBA parlance—it raises questions about how best to deploy talent and manage assets for the future. Is it possible to have too much of a good thing? Or does this kind of competition fuel the sort of internal growth that can spark a turnaround?
Michael Porter Jr., a respected voice in the locker room, weighed in on the situation with characteristic candor. “Day’Day is a beast. He’s a starting five in the NBA. But we have two starting fives, Clax and him,” Porter Jr. said. “When Clax is out, you can put Day in there and there’s no drop-off.” His words capture both the challenge and the opportunity facing the Nets’ coaching staff: how to balance minutes, keep both players engaged, and maximize the team’s long-term potential.
Day’Ron Sharpe, in particular, has been making waves as a reserve. In the Nets’ January 9 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers—a 121-105 defeat at Barclays Center—Sharpe came off the bench to post six points and nine rebounds. It was just the latest in a string of solid performances that have made him a fan favorite and a reliable option whenever his number is called.
But for all the promise shown by Sharpe and Claxton, the Nets’ current record and trajectory have led to tough questions. Some analysts wonder whether keeping two starting-caliber centers on a team not contending for the playoffs is the best use of resources. Could one of them be moved in a trade to accelerate the rebuild? Or does their presence offer a foundation upon which the next great Nets team can be built?
The debate echoes the franchise’s long history of reinvention. Just as Joe Kleine’s brief stop in New Jersey was part of a larger journey, so too is the current roster a work in progress. The Nets have always been a team willing to take risks, whether by embracing new talent, changing cities, or reimagining their place in the league. The question now is what the next chapter will look like—and whether Claxton and Sharpe will be central figures in that story.
Fans looking back at the history of Nets jersey numbers will see a mosaic of players, each with their own story, each contributing to the team’s legacy in ways big and small. The No. 35 jersey, once worn by the likes of Joe Kleine, serves as a reminder that every era brings its own challenges and opportunities. Today, the focus might be on the center position, but the underlying theme remains the same: adaptability, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of progress.
As the 2025-26 NBA season continues, all eyes will be on Brooklyn’s frontcourt. Will the Nets stick with their two-headed monster at center, or will the winds of change bring about another shift in the roster? One thing’s for sure: in Brooklyn, the only constant is change, and the next chapter is always just around the corner.