Brooklyn Nets Blog – Page 41 – NBA Blog

Nets re-sign Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young

The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed center Brook Lopez and forward Thaddeus Young to multi-year contracts, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

“We are very pleased to welcome Brook and Thaddeus back the Brooklyn Nets,” said King. “Brook is one of the premier big men in this league, while Thad proved to be a perfect complement to Brook last year after he was acquired from Minnesota. Being able to re-sign both of our free agent targets allows us to provide the continuity in our frontcourt that we were looking for going into the upcoming season.”

According to the Bergen Record, “Lopez, 27, could have signed a deal as long as five years, but he committed to stay in Brooklyn for three years and $60 million.”

Also from the Bergen Record: “Young, 27, signed four-year deal worth $50 million, with a player option in the final season.”

Lopez, 27, is the longest tenured Net, having spent his entire seven-year career with the franchise after being selected with the 10th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. In 414 career games (379 starts), Lopez has registered averages of 17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 32.5 minutes per game. He currently ranks 4th on the Nets’ all-time scoring list (7,404 points), 6th in rebounds (3,029), 4th in field goals made (2,898), 2nd in blocked shots (724) and 8th in minutes played (13,439). An All-Star in 2013, the Panorama City, Calif. native played some of the best basketball of his career after the All-Star break this past season, posting averages of 19.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 32.0 minutes per game. Lopez’s season peaked during a two-week stretch in late March and early April when he captured back-to-back Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors, becoming the first Net in more than a decade to accomplish the feat. Lopez has also elevated his game in the postseason, recording averages of 21.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 38.2 minutes per game in 13 career playoff contests.

Young, 27, returns to the Nets after joining the team by way of a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 19, 2015. In 28 games (20 starts) with the Nets, Young finished second on the team in points per game (13.8) and rebounds (5.9) and first in steals (1.4) in 29.6 minutes per game. He shot .495 from the field and .380 from three-point range while forming a strong frontcourt duo with Brook Lopez. In the 28 games Young appeared in, the Nets averaged 102.1 points per game, shooting .457 from the field and .353 from three-point range. In the 54 games he didn’t appear in, the Nets averaged 95.9 points per game, shooting .448 from the field and .321 from behind the arc. Young was originally selected with the 12th pick of the 2007 NBA Draft by Nets GM King when he was the President and GM of the Philadelphia 76ers. In 592 career games (362 starts) with the 76ers (2007-14), Timberwolves (2014-15) and Nets (2015), Young holds NBA averages of 13.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 steals in 30.3 minutes per game. In 36 career postseason contests, Young has averaged 9.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 27.3 minutes per game.

Nets sign Shane Larkin and Thomas Robinson

The Brooklyn Nets have signed guard Shane Larkin and forward Thomas Robinson to multi-year contracts, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

“We are excited to add both Thomas and Shane to our roster,” said King. “Thomas is an aggressive rebounder who will add a physical presence to our frontcourt, while Shane provides athleticism at the point. Both are good young players who reaffirm our commitment to add youth to our roster for the 2015-16 campaign.”

Larkin (5’11”, 176) joins the Nets after spending the 2014-15 season with the New York Knicks. In 76 games (22 starts) with New York, Larkin recorded averages of 6.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals in 24.5 minutes per game. The 22-year-old was previously acquired by the Knicks after playing for the Dallas Mavericks during his rookie season. Larkin saw action in 48 games in his lone season in Dallas, averaging 2.8 points and 1.5 assists in 10.2 minutes per game. Originally selected with the 18th pick of the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Larkin was traded on draft night to the Mavericks. Larkin spent two years at the University of Miami prior to entering the NBA. He was selected to the All-ACC Rookie team as a freshman and earned All-ACC First Team and All-ACC Defensive Team honors as a sophomore, helping to lead the Hurricanes to their first-ever regular season ACC championship and their first berth in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 in 13 years.

Robinson (6’10”, 237) has posted averages of 5.1 points and 4.8 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game in 194 career games split between Sacramento, Houston, Portland and Philadelphia. During the 2014-15 season, Robinson appeared in 54 games with the Trail Blazers and 76ers, averaging 5.7 points and 5.6 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game. In his final 22 games of the season with Philadelphia, the 24-year-old Robinson increased his averages to 8.8 points and 7.7 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game, registering seven double digit rebound games and three double-doubles. Robinson was originally selected with the fifth pick of the 2012 NBA Draft by the Kings after spending three years at Kansas. In his final season with the Jayhawks in 2011-12, the Washington D.C. native earned Associated Press First Team All-American and Big 12 Player of the Year honors.

Nets agree to deals with Thomas Robinson and Shane Larkin

The Brooklyn Nets are upgrading their bench with a couple of nice supporting-cast players. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

The Nets continued to act on their mission to get younger and more athletic, agreeing to two-year free-agent deals Thursday with Thomas Robinson and Shane Larkin, according to league sources.

Both deals come with player options for the second year, as the Nets continue to reshape their roster following their most important moves of the summer — re-signing Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young.

Robinson will earn the veteran’s minimum next season, while Larkin – who spent last season with the Knicks – will make roughly $1.4 million.

Nets waive Darius Morris

The Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on guard Darius Morris, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

Morris, who was originally signed as a free agent by the Nets on December 11, 2014, appeared in 38 games with Brooklyn during the 2014-15 season, averaging 2.2 points and 1.3 assists in 7.9 minutes per game. The 41st overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, Morris has appeared in 132 career games (17 starts) with Brooklyn, Memphis, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia and the Lakers, posting averages of 3.3 points and 1.4 assists in 11.1 minutes per game.

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.