Nets could bring back Mike James for point guard depth
Without a choose on this month’s draft — 4 fewer than he loved final season — Nets common supervisor Sean Marks goes to should be inventive in filling out his roster.
Bringing back Mike James for a Brooklyn encore could be one risk.
James — who performed for the Nets down the stretch of the 2020-21 season, earlier than heading back to Europe, and maintains a superb relationship with Kevin Durant — needs to return to the NBA, and wish to play alongside Durant once more.
The 31-year-old combo guard performed for Monaco within the French League and Euroleague this season. After the Nets’ first-round playoff sweep by the hands of the Boston Celtics, Durant really flew to look at James play video games in France and Greece, and caught round to celebration along with his good friend in Athens.
When attempting to gage future Brooklyn additions, figuring out associates of Durant is an effective place to begin. NetsEvery day was the primary to report his curiosity in returning.
“Idk how to even take this rumor. Would i like to play alongside my friend Kevin? Yes,” James tweeted. “But I’d also like to play alongside my 10 other of my close friends. Some play in the NBA, Europe and some don’t play professional.”
James could present backup point guard play and prompt offense off the bench for a top-heavy Nets workforce in want of depth behind Ben Simmons and presumably Kyrie Irving, each All-Stars. Goran Dragic is an unrestricted free agent whereas Patty Mills can grow to be one if he declines his participant possibility.
The Nets have been a prime vacation spot for ring-chasing veterans keen to play for league minimums (Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, and many others.).
James joined the Nets in April 2021 following a dispute with CSKA Moscow coach Dimitris Itoudis that acquired him launched. He ended up averaging 7.7 factors and 4.2 assists in 13 video games (one begin). James made 9 extra appearances within the playoffs, earlier than not being re-signed within the offseason.
But the Nets did maintain a $1.8 million cap maintain on James to make sure they retained his NBA rights. They could signal him to a veteran’s minimal if he’s keen, or even perhaps one thing extra exterior the cap.
