Report reveals if Brooklyn Nets are eyeing a return to New Jersey

As Brent Johnson of NJ Advance Media shared, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill teased during a recent conversation to mark her first 100 days in office that the Brooklyn Nets could soon make a surprising return to playing home games in New Jersey. 

It remains unclear if Sherrill was being serious or simply having some fun in that moment. Nevertheless, it sounds like the Nets will remain in Brooklyn for the foreseeable future. 

Nets are "perfectly happy" in Brooklyn

For a piece published on Thursday night, Brian Lewis of the New York Post revealed that "a league source" confirmed that "there were no plans for the Nets to leave" Brooklyn and the Barclays Center.

"They’re perfectly happy in Brooklyn," that source added about the Nets. 

The Nets were first known as the New Jersey Americans and called the Garden State home from the 1967-68 American Basketball Association season through the end of the 2011-12 NBA campaign. In the final two seasons of their stint in New Jersey, the Nets played home games at the Prudential Center in Newark. 

"There have been no conversations with (Nets) ownership or leadership and the governor or her administration," the source told Lewis. "[They] have no plans to bring the Brooklyn Nets back to New Jersey."

Why the Nets could consider returning to New Jersey

Per David Broughton of Sports Business Journal, the Nets finished this past regular season tied for 13th in the NBA with an average of 99.22 percent capacity for home games. That said, even the most diehard Nets fans wouldn't argue that the franchise is still a noticeable little brother to the rival New York Knicks in the region as it pertains to overall popularity. 

The Knicks were among NBA clubs with a 100 percent average capacity for home games this season. 

"I do think there is some work being done for some — I don’t know if I’m allowed to say too much about it — but some people are working on some different sports coming into [the Prudential Center]," Sherrill added during her initial comments about the Nets possibly relocating back to New Jersey.

According to Lewis, neither the Nets nor G League affiliate Long Island will be hosting opponents for games in Newark anytime soon.