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Nets trade Mason Plumlee to Trail Blazers

Nets trade Mason Plumlee to Trail Blazers for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Steve Blake

The Brooklyn Nets acquired the draft rights to forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and guard Steve Blake from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for center Mason Plumlee and the draft rights to guard/forward Pat Connaughton, Nets GM Billy King announced Thursday.

“We are very excited to add Rondae to our roster,” said King. “He is the type of athletic wing we were looking for, and we felt he was the best defensive player in the draft.”

“I also wanted to thank Mason for his time with the Nets and wish him the best with his new team. Mason worked extremely hard from the first time he stepped on the court in training camp last year, and I am sure he will have a long and successful career.”

Hollis-Jefferson (6’8”, 220) was selected with the 23rd pick in tonight’s draft by the Trail Blazers before being dealt to the Nets. He played two seasons at Arizona and helped lead the Wildcats to two Elite Eight appearances and a 66-9 regular season record. As a freshman, Hollis-Jefferson averaged 9.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game in 38 games (six starts) en route to Pac 12 All-Freshman Team honors. In his second and final season at Arizona, Hollis-Jefferson posted averages of 11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.8 blocks in 28.7 minutes per game in 38 games (25 starts). He was named to the All-Pac 12 First Team and garnered Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors.

Blake (6’3”, 172) is a 12-year veteran who has appeared in 812 career games (345 starts) with Washington, Portland, Milwaukee, Denver, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State. He holds career averages of 6.7 points and 4.0 assists. Last season in Portland, Blake recorded averages of 4.3 points and 3.6 assists in 18.9 minutes per game in 81 games off the Trail Blazers’ bench.

Plumlee was originally drafted by the Nets with the 22nd pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. In 152 games (67 starts), he posted averages of 8.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in 19.9 minutes per game. Plumlee earned All-Rookie First Team honors in 2014.

Nets acquire rights to Juan Pablo Vaulet

The Brooklyn Nets acquired the draft rights to forward Juan Pablo Vaulet from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for a 2018 second round pick, the Nets’ 2019 second round pick and cash considerations, Nets GM Billy King announced Thursday night.

Vaulet (6’6”, 200) is a native of Cordoba, Argentina who has been playing for Weber Bahia Estudiantes of the Liga Nacional de Basquet in Argentina. The 19-year-old averaged 7.2 points and 4.1 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game in 34 games this past season.

Nets may trade Mason Plumlee soon

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on the Nets:

Probably the most pressing question facing the Nets on Thursday is not who they draft, but what’s the worth of future cornerstone Mason Plumlee.

As the Daily News reported last week, Plumlee is being shopped around by Brooklyn in its hopes of climbing into lottery territory to nab a point guard. The Nets were rejected by Indiana in a bid to land the 11th pick, and there is league-wide skepticism that Plumlee – who was shut out of the playoff rotation for two straight years – is enough to move the Nets dramatically from their current spot at 29th. According to sources, the Nets are particularly high on Kentucky’s Devin Booker and Murray State’s Cameron Payne, who are both probable lottery picks.

“I think it’s pretty talented through 10 (in the draft),” Nets director of scouting Gregg Polinsky said. “And then if some of those guys we think are from six or seven get to 12, I think we’d say it was a pretty good draft through the lottery. So, I think up at the top it is pretty talented, really talented. I think you have a chance at some franchise-type players, some All-Stars. And that generally makes for a pretty good draft. Obviously, when you get out of the lottery, how strong is it? Time will tell. But just with all the guys going back to school, it makes it a tougher pick at 29.”

Bucks reportedly have interest in Brook Lopez

Bucks reportedly have interest in Brook Lopez

Here’s ESPN NY reporting on Bucks free agency, which reportedly will include Nets center Brook Lopez as a target:

The Milwaukee Bucks intend to pursue Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez this summer, according to ESPN.com’s Marc Stein. Lopez, 27, is expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent.

Nets general manager Billy King has said retaining Lopez and forward Thaddeus Young is his No. 1 priority this offseason. The Nets can ill-afford to lose Lopez because they don’t have the salary-cap means to replace him in free agency.

Because the Nets hold Lopez’s Bird rights, they are the only team that can offer Lopez a five-year, max contract.

Queens gym being named after Anthony Mason

Queens gym being named in honor of Anthony Mason

The late Anthony Mason was an awesome NBA player, and is dearly missed. Here’s the New York Daily News reporting:

Springfield Gardens Education Complex in Queens will honor the memory of its most-decorated basketball player on Thursday when it names its gymnasium for former Knick Anthony Mason in an afternoon ceremony.

Mason, one of the signature players on Pat Reilly’s mid-1990’s Knicks teams, died at age 48 on Feb. 28, less than a month after suffering a heart attack.

“It’s a wonderful way of honoring my pops,” said Anthony Mason Jr., the former St. John’s star. “He really cared about his school.”

Alan Anderson had ankle surgery today

Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Alan Anderson underwent successful arthroscopic surgery today, May 12, to remove bone spurs from his left ankle, General Manager Billy King announced. The procedure was performed by Nets’ foot and ankle specialist Dr. Martin O’Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. Anderson is expected to resume basketball-related activities in July.

Anderson played in 74 games (19 starts) for Brooklyn this past season, with averages of 7.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. In six postseason contests, Anderson posted averages of 11.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, while shooting a team-best .610 from the field and .625 from three-point range.

Nets cannot count on upcoming NBA drafts

Nets cannot count on upcoming NBA drafts

Here’s the New York Post providing perspective on the Brooklyn Nets NBA draft situation for the next few seasons. And no, the dog in the photo above is not draft-eligible, so don’t ask:

Nets general manager Billy King will meet with the media Wednesday morning to address his team’s season and what lies ahead this summer.

The Nets have no control of their own first-round draft picks between now and 2019 — and are without a first-round pick in 2016 and 2018, with both of those selections headed to the Celtics as part of the trade that brought Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn in 2013. That leaves many challenges ahead for King, who will try to keep the Nets competitive between now and July 2016, when they are scheduled to have plenty of cap space to remake their roster.

There is still a whole season to play until then, however, and finding the most competitive way to bridge that gap will be King’s biggest challenge.

Isiah Thomas now president and part-owner of NY Liberty

Isiah Thomas now president and part-owner of NY Liberty

The New York Liberty and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas today announced that Mr. Thomas has been named team president, with responsibility for basketball and business operations. Mr. Thomas has also taken an ownership interest in the team.

It’s very surprising that Thomas is once again working for the Garden. According to the New York Post, “during a disastrous stint as Knicks president and coach, Thomas was implicated in a sexual harassment involving former team executive Anucha Browne Sanders, who received an $11.6 million settlement from the Garden in 2007 for a hostile work environment.”

“In the fall, Isiah and I began discussions about a possible role for him with the Liberty. Since that time, Isiah has been advising the team, and we are very pleased with the results. He has overseen the strengthening of our coaching staff, with the return of three-time WNBA Champion head coach Bill Laimbeer and the hiring of Herb Williams as assistant coach, as well as our recent free agent signings, draft strategy, trade for Epiphanny Prince and the return of Liberty legend, Teresa Weatherspoon,” said Mr. James Dolan, executive chairman, The Madison Square Garden Company. “Now, we’ve agreed that it is time for him to take a lead role with the team as president, and through his ownership interest. He’s an excellent judge of talent, and I’m confident that he will put all of his energy and experience into making the Liberty a perennially competitive and successful team.”

Mr. Thomas said: “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the New York Liberty and help the franchise reclaim its position as one of the elite teams in the WNBA. Following a conversation with Jim about his thoughts on the franchise, I expressed my interest and enthusiasm for taking responsibility for both the basketball and business operations, as well as for taking an ownership interest in the team. To me, basketball is basketball. These women are outstanding athletes who want to compete for a championship in New York. I look forward to this challenge – not just to win a title, but also to help broaden the team’s fanbase.”

The New York Liberty was founded in 1996 as one of eight original members of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in 12 of its 18 seasons, with four trips to the Finals in 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2002.

Deron Williams struggles badly in Game 2

Deron Williams struggles badly in Game 2 vs Hawks

Here’s ESPN New York reporting on Nets point guard Deron Williams, who shot bricks in Brooklyn’s Game 2 loss to the Atlanta Hawks:

Coming off one of the worst playoff games of his career, Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams knows he needs to produce at a higher level.

Asked to assess where his game is on Thursday, Williams responded, “Do I really have to answer that? I just came off two points, 1-for-7 [shooting]. I can play better.”

In Brooklyn’s 96-91 Game 2 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, Williams, as he said, had just two points on 1-for-7 shooting. He missed a wide-open, potential game-tying jumper with 10 seconds remaining.

The Nets trail the Hawks 2-0 in their first-round series. Game 3 is Saturday afternoon at Barclays Center.

Mirza Teletovic cleared to resume basketball-related activities

Mirza Teletovic cleared to resume basketball-related activities

The following statement has been issued by Nets General Manager Billy King regarding the status of forward Mirza Teletovic:

“Mirza has been cleared to resume basketball-related activities. Mirza will be listed as OUT for games, and if his status changes, we will update at the appropriate time.”

Statement from Brooklyn Nets team physician Dr. Michael Farber:

“Over the last three months, Mirza has been closely monitored on blood thinners and follow-up testing has met our expectations. The most recent bloodwork was normal and Mirza has been cleared to resume all basketball-related activities.

Teletovic last appeared in a game on January 22 at the Los Angeles Clippers. In 40 games (four starts) this season, Teletovic averaged 8.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 22.3 minutes per game.