Brooklyn Nets Blog – Page 34 – NBA Blog

Kristaps Porzingis finds apartment rental in midtown Manhattan

It’s always interesting finding out which NYC neighborhood Knicks or Nets players choose to live in. Why, you ask? The Nets’ practice facility is now in Brooklyn, same as their arena. So at this point it’s pretty obvious that Brooklyn is convenient for Nets players. But the Knicks play in midtown Manhattan while practicing at a facility up in Westchester. Big separation there. If a Knicks player wants a house and some space, Westchester is usually the place. But if he wants to walk outside and have NYC action and Madison Square Garden right outside their door (or fairly close), Manhattan is the spot.

As for Kristaps Porzingis, here’s the New York Post reporting:

Kristaps Porzingis finds apartment rental in midtown Manhattan

The 7-foot-3-inch player has leased a corner penthouse that was asking $8,000 a month at Sky, the mammoth rental tower at 605 W. 42nd St.

He also nabbed another two high-floor units for his two brothers, Martins and Janis, because “they are close and like to be near each other,” a source said…

Porzingis’ units have city skyline and river views, floor-to-ceiling windows, chef’s kitchen and spa-like bathrooms.

Nets sign guard Joe Harris

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent guard Joe Harris to a multi-year contract.

“We are pleased to welcome Joe to the Nets family,” said General Manager Sean Marks. “We are confident that Kenny and his staff will continue to create an environment in which Joe and our other young players will develop and thrive.”

Harris (6’6”, 219) has appeared in 56 games in two seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2014-16), averaging 2.5 points in 9.1 minutes per game. He also appeared in six games during the 2015 postseason. This past season, Harris saw action in five games with the Cavs and 10 games with Cleveland’s D-League affiliate, the Canton Charge, registering averages of 16.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 33.1 minutes per game with Canton. The 24-year-old underwent right foot surgery in January before being traded to Orlando and waived by the Magic. Harris was originally selected with the 33rd pick (second round) in the 2014 NBA Draft by Cleveland after a four-year career at the University of Virginia. At UVA, the Chelan, Wash. native earned All-ACC first-team honors as a junior and helped lead Virginia to two NCAA Tournament appearances. As a senior, Harris garnered All-ACC third-team recognition while leading the Cavaliers to their first ACC tournament title since 1976, first outright ACC regular season title since 1981 and first Sweet 16 appearance since 1995. He finished his collegiate career second in school history in three-pointers made (263) and three-point percentage (.407).

Nets sign Randy Foye

The Nets have signed free agent guard Randy Foye.

Foye (6’4”, 213) joins the Nets after splitting the 2015-16 season with the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder. In 81 games, Foye averaged 5.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 20.3 minutes per game. He also appeared in 16 games in the Thunder’s run to the Western Conference Finals.

“We are pleased to welcome Randy to Brooklyn,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “He is a veteran guard who will provide us with additional scoring and depth in our backcourt.”

The 32-year-old has seen action in 683 career games (393 starts) in 10 seasons with Minnesota (2006-09), Washington (2009-10), Los Angeles Clippers (2010-12), Utah (2012-13), Denver (2013-16) and Oklahoma City (2016), owning averages of 10.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 26.3 minutes per game. He’s also seen action in 27 postseason games.

Foye finished in the top 10 in the league in three-pointers made in three consecutive seasons (2011-14) and is a career .369 shooter from three-point range.

The Newark, N.J. native was originally selected with the seventh pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by Boston and began his career with the Timberwolves after a draft-night trade.

Nets sign rookie Caris LeVert

The Nets have signed rookie guard/forward Caris LeVert to a multi-year contract.

Selected with the 20th pick in the first round of the 2016 Draft, LeVert’s draft rights were acquired by Brooklyn in a trade with the Pacers.

All players selected in the first round of the Draft are guaranteed to receive a contract, assuming they want to begin their NBA career right away.

LeVert (6’7”, 205) played four seasons at Michigan and helped the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the National Championship game in 2013 and the Elite Eight in 2014. In 103 career games (70 starts) for the Wolverines, LeVert averaged 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 26.4 minutes per game. As a senior, the Pickerington, Ohio, native posted averages of 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 30.9 minutes per game while shooting .506 from the field and .446 from 3-point range in 15 games (14 starts) during an injury-shortened season. He earned 2014 All-Big Ten second-team and 2014 NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament team honors following his sophomore season, when he averaged 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 34.0 minutes per game in 37 games.

Nets sign Luis Scola and Greivis Vasquez

The Brooklyn Nets have signed forward Luis Scola and guard Greivis Vasquez.

“Luis and Greivis are ideal fits for the team culture we are building in Brooklyn,” said Nets’ General Manager Sean Marks. “Both are terrific competitors who will provide leadership and veteran experience to our locker room. Luis adds toughness, scoring and passing ability to our frontline, while Greivis is effective from either backcourt position, both as a facilitator and a scorer.”

Scola (6’9”, 241) joins the Nets after spending the 2015-16 season with the Toronto Raptors. Scola appeared in and started 76 games, averaging 8.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game. In nine NBA seasons split between Houston (2007-12), Phoenix (2012-13), Indiana (2013-15) and Toronto, Scola owns career averages of 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 26.2 minutes per game in 707 games (504 starts). He has also appeared in 48 career postseason games, recording averages of 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game. The 36-year-old was originally selected with the 56th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by San Antonio, but did not make his NBA debut until the 2007-08 season after his draft rights were traded to Houston. As a rookie, Scola earned All-Rookie First Team honors with averages of 10.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 24.7 minutes per game. Prior to the NBA, the Buenos Aries, Argentina native began his professional career in his home country with Ferro Carril Oeste in 1995-96 at the age of 15. He played three years in Argentina before moving to Spain, where he played nine seasons with three clubs, including seven seasons with Tau Ceramica (2000-07). Scola earned Euroleague First Team honors in 2005-06 and 2006-07, was named the MVP of the Spanish League in 2004-05 and 2006-07 and garnered Rookie of the Year honors in 2000. Scola is also a decorated player on the international stage. Representing his native Argentina, Scola will become a four-time Olympian when he competes at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. He earned a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, as well as a bronze at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Vasquez (6’6”, 217) has appeared in 398 games (157 starts) in six NBA seasons with Memphis (2010-11), New Orleans (2011-13), Sacramento (2013), Toronto (2013-15) and Milwaukee (2015-16), recording averages of 9.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 23.8 minutes per game. He has also appeared in 24 career postseason games, averaging 6.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 18.0 minutes per game. This past season with the Bucks, the 29-year-old saw action in just 23 games due to right ankle surgery, registering averages of 5.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 20.0 minutes per game. The native of Caracas, Venezuela was originally selected with the 28th pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Grizzlies, becoming the first Venezuelan-born player drafted in the NBA. Prior to the NBA, Vasquez spent four years at the University of Maryland, helping to lead the Terrapins to three NCAA Tournament appearances. Vasquez earned All-ACC second-team honors as a sophomore and junior before completing his standout collegiate career by garnering ACC Player of the Year, All-ACC first-team and consensus second-team All-American recognition as a senior. Vasquez is a member of the Venezuelan team that will compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

Nets sign center Justin Hamilton

The Brooklyn Nets signed free agent center Justin Hamilton to a multi-year contract today.

“Justin is an energetic big with the ability to stretch the floor,” said Nets’ General Manager Sean Marks. “He is coming off a successful season in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues and will add depth to our frontcourt rotation.”

Hamilton (7’0, 260) joins the Nets after spending last season with Valencia in Liga ACB, Spain’s top division, where he earned All-ACB first-team honors after averaging 14.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in 22.5 minutes per game in 40 games with the club. Prior to heading to Spain, the 26-year-old appeared in 49 games in parts of two NBA seasons with Charlotte, Miami and Minnesota (2013-15), registering averages of 5.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game. In the 2014-15 season, Hamilton appeared in 41 games split between Miami and Minnesota, averaging 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game. He also saw action in 39 games with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA D-League during the 2013-14 season, posting averages of 19.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 35.6 minutes per game en route to D-League All-Star, All-NBA D-League first-team and NBA D-League All-Defensive first-team recognition. Hamilton began his professional career with stints in Croatia and Latvia during the 2012-13 season. The Alpine, Utah native was originally selected with the 45th overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and was traded to Miami on draft night before being waived by the Heat in advance of the 2012-13 season. Prior to beginning his pro career, Hamilton spent his first two collegiate seasons at Iowa State and his third and final season at LSU, where he earned All-SEC second-team honors.

Nets sign rookie Isaiah Whitehead

The Brooklyn Nets have signed guard Isaiah Whitehead to a multi-year contract.

Selected with the 42nd pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Whitehead’s rights were acquired by Brooklyn in a draft-night trade with the Utah Jazz in exchange for the draft rights to guard Marcus Paige, the 55th overall selection, and cash considerations.

Whitehead (6’4”, 210) played two years at Seton Hall, most recently leading the Pirates to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2006. The Brooklyn native averaged 18.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 32.3 minutes per game in 34 games (33 starts) as a sophomore, earning unanimous All-Big East first-team honors and an Associated Press All-America honorable mention. He was also named the 2016 Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player after averaging 23.3 points and 5.7 assists in the Big East Tournament, where the Pirates claimed their first conference tournament title since 1993. As a freshman, Whitehead averaged 12.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 27.8 minutes per game in 22 games (19 starts) en route to Big East All-Rookie Team honors. A product of Abraham Lincoln High School and Coney Island, Whitehead was a McDonald’s All American and named Mr. New York Basketball by the state’s Basketball Coaches Association in 2014.

Nets sign Trevor Booker

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent forward Trevor Booker to a multi-year contract. Booker’s deal is reportedly an 18$ million dollar contract over two years.

Booker (6’8”, 228) has appeared in 393 games (112 starts) in six NBA seasons with Washington (2010-14) and Utah (2014-16), recording averages of 6.5 points on .515 from the field, 5.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 20.3 minutes per game.

“Trevor is a seasoned big with a defensive mindset who will bring toughness, rebounding and a competitive edge to our team,” said Nets’ General Manager Sean Marks.

He also made a playoff appearance in 2014 with the Wizards, registering averages of 3.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game in nine contests. This past season, the 28-year-old saw action in 79 games with the Jazz, averaging 5.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 20.7 minutes per game while setting single-season career-highs in minutes played (1,632), rebounds (452), assists (84) and steals (59). The Newberry, S.C. native was originally selected with the 23rd pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft by Minnesota before his rights were traded to Washington on draft night. Prior to beginning his NBA career, Booker played four years at Clemson (2006-10), earning All-ACC second-team honors as a junior, All-ACC first-team recognition as a senior and All-ACC defensive team honors in each of his final two seasons. He helped lead the Tigers to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances and a school-record 93 victories during his four-year tenure.

Brooklyn Nets sign Jeremy Lin

The man who gave New York a fun dose of Linsanity has returned to the city. Now operating out of Brooklyn now instead of Manhattan.

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent guard Jeremy Lin to a multi-year contract. The deal is reportedly a $36 million dollar contract over three years.

“We are excited to welcome Jeremy to Brooklyn,” said Nets’ General Manager Sean Marks. “He is a high character and competitive individual who will fit our culture moving forward, as well as the style of play that Kenny will be implementing. Jeremy is a proven veteran point guard with strong leadership qualities, who is an obvious fit in this system and city.”

Lin (6’3”, 200) has appeared in 369 career games (183 starts) in six NBA seasons with Golden State (2010-11), New York (2011-12), Houston (2012-14), Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15) and Charlotte (2015-16), posting averages of 11.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 26.8 minutes per game while shooting .432 from the field and .803 from the free throw line. He has also made three playoff appearances with the Rockets (2013 and 2014) and Hornets (2016), appearing in 17 games and recording averages of 10.1 points and 3.1 assists in 26.4 minutes per game. This past season with Charlotte, the 27-year-old Lin appeared in 78 games (13 starts) and averaged 11.7 points, a career-high 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 26.3 minutes per game. He played in all seven of the Hornets’ first-round playoff games against Miami, recording averages of 12.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 27.0 minutes per game. After a four-year collegiate career at Harvard, Lin went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft and began his professional career by signing as a free agent with Golden State. While at Harvard, Lin was an All-Ivy League first-team selection as both a junior and senior and an All-Ivy League second-team choice as a sophomore. The Palo Alto, Calif. native is the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA.

Nets trade Thaddeus Young to Pacers

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired the draft rights to Caris LeVert, the 20th pick in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft, along with a future second round pick, from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for forward Thaddeus Young.

LeVert (6’7”, 205) played four seasons at Michigan and helped the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the National Championship game in 2013 and the Elite Eight in 2014. In 103 career games (70 starts) for the Wolverines, LeVert averaged 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 26.4 minutes per game. As a senior, the Columbus, Ohio, native posted averages of 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 30.9 minutes per game while shooting .506 from the field and .446 from 3-point range in 15 games (14 starts) during an injury-shortened season. He earned 2014 All-Big Ten second-team and 2014 NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament team honors following his sophomore season, when he averaged 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 34.0 minutes per game in 37 games.

Young played in 101 games (93 starts) with the Nets after joining the team via trade from Minnesota on February 19, 2015, averaging 14.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals in 32.0 minutes per game. A nine-year NBA veteran, Young has appeared in 665 career games with Philadelphia, Minnesota and Brooklyn, holding averages of 13.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 steals in 30.6 minutes per game.