As free agency winds down, still a few loose ends…
The Brooklyn Nets had a busy day Tuesday, making moves as they near the end of free agency and the beginning of Summer League. Brooklyn:
- Signed Drake Powell to a rookie contract, four years and $16.7 million, the first two years guaranteed. The signing had been held up until the three-team deal centered on Kristaps Porzingis had been made official. The Nets also received Terance Mann in that deal. They gave up only cash considerations, reportedly $1.2 million. With the signing, all five of the Nets first rounders are signed, sealed and delivered (at a total cost of $95.7 million.)
- Announced that their other big trade. Cam Johnson for Michael Porter Jr. and the Nuggets 2032 first round pick, unprotected.
- Renounced their rights to six players: Ziaire Williams, D’Anthony Melton, Mike James, LaMarcus Aldridge, Wilson Chandler and Dennis Smith Jr. Keith Smith noted in a tweet that the moves as “part of the process to complete their off-season moves.” He also wrote that Williams will be re-signed either out of cap space or the $8.8 million Room MLE,
There was no news on Cam Thomas’ contract, but the decision to renounce the rights seems to indicate that the Nets are trying to build up their cap space, their flexibility. Smith also stated that Brooklyn has about $22 million available, plus the MLE and Thomas’ Bird Rights if they want to go over the cap.
In an interview with Connor Long on the Brooklyn Boys podcast, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon suggested that the Nets might be playing hardball with Thomas. “I would say Cam Thomas wants to be paid and apparently the Nets aren’t eager to pay him.”
MacMahon told Long that Thomas remains “pretty polarizing around the league,” so the market for him might be limited, the same point that Jake Fischer made last week. “We know he can score, get bucks, but can he contribute to winning?”
Indeed a league source told NetsDaily, “If you guys give Cam Thomas more than $10 million a year, entire off-season goes from being amazing to shitty.”
What’s next? The signings of Williams and Day’Ron Sharpe to identical two-year, $12 million deals still must be finalized.
As for the addition of MPJ, Marks had this to say about what the Nets expect from the 27-year-old:
“We’re excited to welcome Michael and his family to Brooklyn,” said Marks. “Michael is a dynamic offensive talent, who will add shooting and floor spacing to our team while also providing a strong presence on the boards. He’s been an integral part of a team that reached the pinnacle of success, and sharing his knowledge of what it takes to achieve at the highest level will be invaluable to our young roster.”
The Nets also made a G League trade Tuesday, securing the rights to former Mexico City Capitanes center Rua Miranda, a 6’10” Brazilian power forward. He played last year for Flamengo in Brazil where he averaged 11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds. He turned 24 on Sunday.