Nets Josh Minott hoping career night can be first building block for future

The dog days of this season are an extended audition.The Nets will sift through the tail end of their roster hoping to find somebody — anybody — worth keeping.Josh Minott? Why not?In Minott’s longest stint with Brooklyn since being acquired as a trade deadline flier, the springy young forward stated his case eloquently Thursday in Atlanta.Minott turned in a career night, and flashed the kind of athleticism and force from the wing position that Brooklyn has so sorely lacked — and that fans have called for.He had 24 points, shot 4-of-7 from deep and 8-of-10 from the foul line.

And predictably, he was even better on the other end of the floor, with three blocks and three steals.The points, 3s, free throws and steals all set or tied career bests.It was a statement for Minott, who has played sparingly since being acquired from Boston on Feb.

5.“I’ve been waiting on it,” Minott, 23, said of a breakout night.“But at the end of the day, I’m not going to call it pointless — but it’s one goal.

So overall, I don’t want to say satisfied, but I’m pretty happy with my performance.But at the end of the day, it’s about getting numbers in the right column.”Wins will be few and far between for tanking Brooklyn.

But they’ll use the stretch run to mine the back end of their roster.There are two-ways to evaluate.

Ten-day contracts like newcomer Malachi Smith to assess.And team options to decide on.Such as Minott.His six stocks — combined blocks and steals — on Thursday tied Nic Claxton’s Dec.

29 effort as the most by a Net this season.Minott’s near 7-foot wingspan lets him disrupt passing lanes and his athleticism allows him to attack the rim.“Yeah, he had (a dunk) against the Celtics that was very impressive, and he had one the other day (vs.

Detroit).Obviously I didn’t teach him to do that,” joked Jordi Fernández.

“What you see is how quick he gets there and you’re like, ‘Oh wow, he’s going to do it.’ And he does it.And...