Shake Milton is counting his blessings this season.
Between when the Knicks signed him in March and the season’s end, before the Nets acquired him in the Mikal Bridges trade, the veteran guard logged just 27 minutes on the court.
The minutes came across just six games with a mere average of 4.5 per game.
Milton played for three teams in the 2023-24 season (Timberwolves, Pistons, and Knicks) and his highest playing-time average was with Detroit — in 15.8 minutes in just four games.
“I think last year in general was more tough, just being traded and seeing what the NBA business is like,” Milton said after the Nets’ practice Thursday. “Thankfully, I didn’t have to go too far. You just see it for what it is now, you can see it clearly, and you know how to carry yourself a little bit more. It’s like a little chip on your shoulder, so it’s a good thing.”
However, in recent games, due to Cam Thomas’ hamstring injury, Milton is back to feeling like his vintage self with the Nets.
In the past nine contests, the 54th overall pick of the 2018 draft has averaged 10.6 points while shooting 50 percent from the field in nearly 25 minutes per game.
He also is shooting almost 45 percent from beyond the arc.
The SMU product has a season average of 16 minutes, his best since logging an average of 20.6 his last season with the 76ers (2022-23).
His highest minutes average (23.2) came with Philadelphia in 2020-21.
“Just kind of being able to get minutes is a blessing,” Milton said. “In this league especially, it’s hard to get in, to stick, it’s hard to make a name for yourself. So, it’s definitely fun being out there. I love the game more than damn near anything. So, it’s always fun to be out there and be able to do what you love.”
Early this season, Milton wasn’t in the Nets’ rotation.
He averaged just 9.2 minutes across the first 10 games, twice drawing a DNP.
However, injuries to other players opened up an opportunity, and Milton has seen more time than initially expected.
In this nine-game stretch, he had a plus-21 on Dec. 4 against the Pacers and a season-high 22 points in 34 minutes off the bench against the Magic on Dec. 1.
“Super pro. Great teammate. He just tried to do everything we ask him to do,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “Obviously, we want him to keep getting better. Keep being ready. Shoot the ball. Shooting it faster. His defensive ball pressure continues to get better. He’s been great.
“We’ve been using him in different ways as a second ball handler, primary ball handler, and he’s gone out there and competed and helped us win big games. … Doesn’t matter if you’re out or in, just being ready and working every day and being a good teammate. And he’s done all that. He’s a pro. He works hard and is a great, great, great teammate.”
Milton played for three years under Doc Rivers with the Sixers from 2020-23, and has since been on squads coached by Chris Finch, Monty Williams, Tom Thibodeau and eventually Fernandez — who has made the Nets’ environment unlike any other that he has been a part of.
He credited his production to Fernandez’s style of being “aggressive” and “free,” which has allowed Milton to have fun and play better when given the chance off the bench.
“Those are all things you want to play, want to do when you come into the league. Being able to do it here is amazing.” he said. “It’s fun because it brings out the best in you. It brings out the best in everybody. And when you have something like that and it’s competitive, guys are rooting for each other, it’s a good environment.”