Reporting contributed by Elizabeth Swinton
Following the arrival of Kenny Atkinson, news surrounding the Brooklyn Nets has come fast and furious — so you know what that means: it’s time for another edition of Around The ‘Nets! Today, The Brooklyn Game has a compilation of podcasts, rumors, and noteworthy things that we’re sharing today!
Happy Thursday! Here’s the latest Nets news and notes from around the ‘net:
First reported by San Antonio Express-News and then picked up by Sportando, a source claims that Thomas Robinson is on the verge of opting out of the final year of his contract. Robinson, who is set to earn just over a million dollars in 2016-2017, came along towards the end of the season, but only after Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young were shut down.
On April 3rd, Robinson stated: “It’s about time I become a 20-plus minute player. I haven’t played over 13 minutes my whole career. To me, it’s BS. But I’m trying to put that out there that it’s about time I become a 20-minute plus player.”
New head coach Kenny Atkinson went on Sirius XM this morning and discussed his new position, the Nets, and other hot NBA topics. One highlight:
"There's going to be tough times in this job so you need someone you can go in the trenches with." – Atkinson on @BrooklynNets GM Sean Marks
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) May 19, 2016
This will be the 4th consecutive year that the NBA Draft will be held at the Barclays Center. The cheapest ticket will be about $20 dollars and will go on sale next week. Set for June 23rd, the Nets currently hold no first round pick, but may look to trade in.
Additionally, the Nets will select 55th after a pick swap with the Los Angeles Clippers for Reggie Evans.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe dished on Tuesday’s lottery and had a wonderful tidbit about the Boston Celtics’ and their attempt to hang on to the 3rd overall pick:
“After the lottery gods awarded the Lakers the No. 2 pick, league officials began drawing the four-number combo that would determine which team would pick third. The first three numbers: 9, 4, 7. If the final number were eight or higher, Minnesota, in the No. 5 slot, would leapfrog both Phoenix and Boston. If it came up as a 5 or 6, Phoenix and Boston would flip places. A 1 or 2 would mean a re-draw, because the Sixers and Lakers owned those combinations.
Wyc Grousbeck, the Celtics owner and drawing room rep, was reduced to this: hoping for “3,” the only ball that would hold Boston in the No. 3 slot, a one-in-eleven shot at that exact moment.
“I was just thinking, ‘Oh, no! Only one ball can save us now!’ ” Grousbeck told me afterward, when we were all sequestered in the drawing room.”
If the situation was reversed and the Nets were left holding to hold onto that high pick, like they did in 2011 when they missed out on John Wall, we all know how that would’ve ended:
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo!’s The Vertical talked with new Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson in a new podcast. Atkinson discusses the challenges that come with the job of rebuilding the Nets, along with his New York roots. He also talks about how his upbringing with seven brothers sparked a competitive nature, and more.
NetsDaily reports that the Brooklyn Nets have requested a trademark for the term “Brooklyn Grit,” applied for on April 13. No further details are yet available, but don’t be surprised if “Brooklyn Grit” is pasted on Barclays Center and HSS Training Center walls come the offseason.
It has been reported by SNY’s Adam Zagoria that the Brooklyn Nets have held a workout with point guard Isaiah Briscoe, and have a workout scheduled on May 22 with guard Malik Newman. Both players are projected to fall near Brooklyn’s 55th pick and may be viable targets for the crafty Sean Marks. Zagoria has also reported that the Nets have told players they’re looking to buy a low first round or high second round pick.
Finally, the Brooklyn Nets will compete in the Las Vegas Summer League this year, joining 23 other teams. The competition will run from July 8 to 18 at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Nets were a part of both Las Vegas and Orlando summer leagues last year, but will not compete in Orlando this year. Players such as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Chris McCullough can be expected on the team, as well as any draft picks and possible players from the upcoming veteran mini-camp.
