The Nets roster is almost full, but it doesn’t mean they’re done dealing.
“We need to add another big,” Billy King said, after introducing four recently signed players — three of them big men — Thursday morning. “Maybe one or two more.”
Following the re-signings of Brook Lopez & Thaddeus Young — as well as the new signings of Shane Larkin, Thomas Robinson, and Wayne Ellington — the Nets ended Thursday morning with 13 of their 15 roster spots filled, plus four non-guaranteed players. They also have a standing one-year qualifying offer out to Mirza Teletovic, a 6’9″ power forward & long-range shooter but not a big inside presence.
“Right now we’re in the process of seeing if we can retain Mirza, and if not, we have a plan B,” King said, declining to elaborate.
But beyond the small moves, the Nets still have major considerations. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson make a combined $45 million next season, and King acknowledged that he has had recent discussions regarding Joe Johnson with the Cavaliers and Grizzlies. He added that those talks largely went nowhere and no formal offers were made.
“I think people are still saying I’m talking to Cleveland, I haven’t talked to Cleveland in four to five days,” King said. “Chris Wallace, (general manager for) Memphis, we had one conversation and there was never an official offer, but there was discussions with Memphis. But I think that’s what you have to do. I’ll call somebody and ask: would you move this guy, and they’ll say no. It’s not really a discussion, you probe.”
When asked if he believes Williams and Johnson will be on the team next year, King hesitated before answering yes. “I do expect these guys to be on the roster next year,” King said. “Will they be there all year? I don’t know. Will all these guys be here next year? I don’t know. But the goal is to try to get together, mold it, and if we’ve gotta make moves, we’ll make moves.”
