Category: Brooklyn Nets Blog

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Nets waive RaiQuan Gray

The Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, July 18 waived forward RaiQuan Gray.

Gray was selected 59th overall by Brooklyn in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native signed a two-way deal with the Nets on April 8, 2023. Gray tallied 16 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and a block in 35 minutes in his lone game with Brooklyn on April 9, 2023, against the Philadelphia 76ers. In 44 career NBA G League games (22 starts) with the Long Island Nets, Gray holds averages of 10.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals across 25.8 minutes per contest.

Nets sign Darius Bazley

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent forward Darius Bazley.

Bazley (6’9″, 216) appeared in 43 games (one start) in 2022-23 split between the Oklahoma City Thunder (36 games) and Phoenix Suns (seven games), averaging 5.2 points on a career-high 45.4 percent shooting from the field and a career-high 37.7 percent shooting from 3-point range and 3.2 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per game.

Across four NBA seasons with the Thunder (2019-23) and Suns (2023), the 23-year-old Bazley has played in 228 career games (118 starts) and holds averages of 9.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 23.6 minutes per game while shooting 41.1 percent from the floor, 31.0 percent from distance and 67.3 percent from the free-throw line.

He also competed in seven playoff games as a reserve during the 2020 postseason for Oklahoma City and posted averages of 6.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game while shooting 41.9 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from 3-point range and 90.0 percent from the free-throw line.

The Cincinnati native was selected with the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz before his draft rights were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and then to the Thunder.

Bazley earned a selection in the 2018 McDonald’s All-American game and was five-star recruit out of Princeton High School in Ohio.

After graduating, Bazley spent one year participating in an internship with New Balance while training for the NBA Draft.

Nets sign rookie Dariq Whitehead

The Brooklyn Nets have signed rookie guard/forward Dariq Whitehead, the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, to a multi-year contract.

Whitehead (6’7″, 220) spent one year at Duke University (2022-23) and averaged 8.3 points on 42.1 percent shooting from the floor and 42.9 percent shooting from 3-point range, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists over 20.6 minutes per game in 28 games (seven starts).

The Newark, N.J., native’s 3-point percentage placed fifth all-time among Duke freshmen. The 18-year-old averaged 10.5 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 62.5 percent from beyond the arc in 28.0 minutes per contest over two NCAA Tournament games.

Whitehead attended Montverde Academy in Florida, where he achieved Naismith High School Player of the Year honors and earned the Most Valuable Player award at the 2022 McDonald’s All-American Game.

Nets sign Dennis Smith Jr.

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent guard Dennis Smith Jr.

Smith Jr. (6’2″, 205) spent the 2022-23 season with the Charlotte Hornets, appearing in 54 games (15 starts) and recording averages of 8.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and a career-high 1.4 steals in 25.7 minutes per game. Smith Jr. ranked third in the league in steals per game among players to play 26.0 or fewer minutes per game, trailing only Washington’s Delon Wright (1.8 steals in 24.4 minutes per game) and Chicago’s Alex Caruso (1.5 steals in 23.5 minutes per game). Charlotte’s defense improved by 10.7 points per 100 possessions with Smith Jr. on the court, and his on/off ‘defensive impact’ ranked as the second-best in the league among players to log at least 1,000 minutes. Smith Jr. also posted a career-best 3.18 assist-to-turnover ratio in his lone season with the Hornets.

In six seasons split between Charlotte, Portland (2021-22), Detroit (2021), New York (2019-21) and Dallas (2017-19), the 25-year-old has registered averages of 10.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 24.2 minutes per contest across 270 games (150 starts).

He earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors with the Mavericks in 2017-18 after averaging 15.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 29.7 minutes per game over 69 games (all starts).

Smith Jr. was selected with the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft by Dallas after spending one year (2016-17) at North Carolina State University, where the Fayetteville, N.C., native secured ACC Freshman of the Year and All-ACC Second Team honors in his lone season with the Wolfpack.

Nets trade Joe Harris to Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have acquired guard/forward Joe Harris, along with future draft considerations, in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets for cash considerations.

Harris, 6-6, 220, averaged 7.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.6 minutes per game while shooting 45.7% from the field and 42.6% from 3-point range with the Nets last season. He’s averaged 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists over his last seven seasons in Brooklyn and helped the Nets to the NBA Playoffs in each of the last five seasons. Harris led the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage in 2019 (.474) and 2021 (.475) and is the Nets’ all-time leader in 3-point field goals made.

“It’s difficult to put into words just how much Joe has meant to this franchise,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “For seven years he displayed the character, drive and team-first approach that served as a model for his teammates and staff alike. Joe helped define what it means to be a Net, while fully embracing being a part of the Brooklyn community. We’re grateful for everything Joe has done and wish him and his family the very best going forward. He will forever remain part of our Nets family.”

Drafted 33rd overall by Cleveland in the 2014 NBA Draft, Harris played two seasons for the Cavaliers and averaged 2.5 points in 9.1 minutes per game. The Chelan, Wash., native played four seasons at the University of Virginia and averaged 12.6 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 44.5% from the field in 135 career games (128 starts). Harris led Virginia to the NCAA Tournament during his sophomore and senior seasons.

Nets re-sign Cam Johnson

The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed forward Cam Johnson to a multi-year contract.

It’s reportedly a four-year, $108 million deal.

“Re-signing Cam was our top priority throughout this free agency period, and we are thrilled to have him remain in Brooklyn as a core member of the Nets for years to come,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “Since the moment he arrived last season, Cam immediately embraced a leadership role both on and off the court. His versatile skillset as a two-way wing has proven to be an ideal fit with our roster, and we look forward to the positive impact he will continue to bring to our team and the Brooklyn community.”

Nets trade Patty Mills to Rockets

The Brooklyn Nets have traded guard Patty Mills and a 2028 second round draft pick (via Milwaukee) to the Houston Rockets in exchange for future draft considerations.

“Patty was an exemplary representative of the Nets during his two years in Brooklyn, both for his contributions on the court and his impact in the community,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “We thank Patty for all he has brought to our organization and wish him and Alyssa nothing but the best in their next chapter.”

Mills originally signed with the Nets on Aug. 10, 2021, and appeared in 121 games (50 starts) across two seasons (2021-23) in Brooklyn, registering averages of 9.7 points on 40.9 percent shooting from the field, 39.3 percent shooting from 3-point range and 82.0 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 1.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.1 minutes per game. In the 2022-23 campaign, Mills played in 40 games (two starts) and averaged 6.2 points on 41.1 percent shooting from the field, 36.6 percent shooting from distance and 83.3 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 1.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 14.2 minutes per contest. Mills has played in 860 games (107 starts) in 14 seasons with Brooklyn, San Antonio (2011-21) and Portland (2009-11), notching averages of 9.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 20.4 minutes per game while shooting 42.6 percent from the field, 38.9 percent from 3-point range and 85.4 percent from the free-throw line.

Nets sign rookie Jalen Wilson to two-way contract

The Brooklyn Nets have signed forward Jalen Wilson, the 51st overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, to a two-way contract.

Wilson (6’8″, 225) spent four years (2019-23) at the University of Kansas, appearing in 104 total games (89 starts) and recording averages of 14.2 points on 43.4 percent shooting from the field, 31.6 percent shooting from 3-point range and 73.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 30.7 minutes per game. Wilson became just the 10th Jayhawk all-time to register at least 1,400 career points (1,475) and 800 career rebounds (802). The 22-year-old was named a consensus All-America First Team selection and earned Big 12 Player of the Year honors following a redshirt junior season in which he averaged 20.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 35.4 minutes per contest across 36 games (all starts). As a redshirt sophomore, the Denton, Texas, native helped lead the Jayhawks to a national championship while also securing All-Big 12 Third Team honors.

Brooklyn Nets hire Kevin Ollie, Will Weaver, Jay Hernandez and Ronnie Burrell as assistant coaches, Corey Vinson as assistant coach/player development

The Brooklyn Nets have named Kevin Ollie, Will Weaver, Jay Hernandez and Ronnie Burrell as assistant coaches and Corey Vinson as assistant coach/player development. They join assistant coach/director of player development Adam Caporn and assistant coaches Trevor Hendry and Ryan Forehan-Kelly on Head Coach Jacque Vaughn’s staff.

Ollie joins Brooklyn’s staff from Overtime Elite, where he served as head of coaching and basketball development for two seasons (2021-23). Prior to his stint with Overtime Elite, Ollie spent six years (2012-18) as the head coach of the men’s basketball program at the University of Connecticut. After leading UConn to a 20-10 record in his first season at the helm in 2012-13 when the program was ineligible to participate in postseason competition, Ollie directed the Huskies to a 32-8 record in his second season in 2013-14. UConn earned a seven seed in the 2014 NCAA Tournament and became the second-lowest seed to win a national championship when he directed the Huskies to their fourth of five titles in program history. Before he became the head coach at UConn, the Los Angeles native was an assistant coach with the Huskies for two years (2010-12), helping lead the team to a national championship in 2011.

Weaver rejoins the Nets organization after spending two seasons (2016-18) as special assistant to the head coach and one season (2018-19) as the head coach of Brooklyn’s NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets. Weaver led Long Island to a 33-17 regular season record, tied for the best record in the NBA G League, and guided the LI Nets to an Eastern Conference Championship before the team fell short against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA G League Finals. Weaver became the first head coach in franchise history to earn NBA G League Coach of the Year honors.

Hernandez joins the Nets after spending the past five seasons (2018-23) with the Charlotte Hornets as assistant coach/director of player development. In addition to his responsibilities with Charlotte, Hernandez led the Hornets’ NBA G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm, in the NBA G League bubble in 2021. Hernandez landed in Charlotte after working four seasons (2014-18) as assistant coach/player development with the Orlando Magic.

Burrell joins Brooklyn’s staff after spending the 2022-23 season as head coach of the Nets’ NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets. Burrell led Long Island to a 23-9 overall record in the regular season, tied for the second-best record in the NBA G League. The team finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference and clinched its third playoff berth in franchise history, with Burrell joining Weaver as the only coaches in franchise history to earn NBA G League Coach of the Year honors. He had previously spent two seasons in the Nets organization, first as a player development and video assistant with Brooklyn in 2018-19 and then as an assistant coach with Long Island in 2019-20.

Vinson arrives in Brooklyn after working in the Phoenix Suns organization for three seasons (2020-23). He started with the Suns as assistant video coordinator with player development responsibilities before being promoted to player development coach/video coordinator. He spent his final season in Phoenix as a player development coach.

Nets sign RaiQuan Gray to two-way contract

The Brooklyn Nets have signed forward RaiQuan Gray to a two-way contract.

Gray (6’7″, 260) was selected by Brooklyn with the 59th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and has spent his first two professional seasons with Brooklyn’s NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets. In 44 games (22 starts), he holds career averages of 10.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 25.8 minutes per contest while shooting 52.1 percent from the field, 31.7 percent from 3-point range and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line. This season, the 23-year-old appeared in 18 regular season games (all starts) with Long Island and averaged 15.4 points on 57.8 percent shooting from the floor and 38.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc to go with 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals in 30.6 minutes per game. Gray also played in 12 NBA G League Showcase Cup games (11 starts) and averaged 14.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals over 28.8 minutes per contest. He appeared in both of Long Island’s playoff games this season and posted a team-leading 25 points and seven rebounds in 35 minutes against Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native played three collegiate seasons (2018-21) at Florida State University, where he appeared in 90 games (52 starts) and averaged 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals in 18.7 minutes per contest. Gray earned Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention and All-ACC Third Team honors as a junior and helped lead the Seminoles to their first ever regular season ACC Championship in 2020 as a sophomore.

Brooklyn’s roster now stands at 17 players.