The New Jersey Nets announced today that Damion James will miss the remainder of the season, as he recovers from surgery to replace a screw in his right foot. James broke his fifth metatarsal last year, and underwent surgery in December of 2010 to insert a screw into his foot.
James was the team’s starting small forward at the beginning of this season, averaging 4.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game before his injury forced him out.
The last time a Nets player had surgery on his broken right fifth metatarsal, they traded for Mehmet Okur within hours to replace him. The Nets, well short on small forwards — Larry Owens and Shawne Williams are the only healthy 3’s on the roster — may look to replace James soon in a similar fashion.
The Nets were already teetering on the possibility of declining James’s $1.33 million option for the 2012-13 season, and this injury all but seals that possibility.
