Atlantic Notes: Plumlee, Nets, Galloway, Sixers

Rival teams keep asking the Nets about Mason Plumlee, the one player they least want to trade, reports Howard Megdal in a special story for USA Today. The second-year center has seen his role expand under new coach Lionel Hollins. “[Former coach Jason Kidd] gave me very specific instructions,” Plumlee said. “He gave me exactly what I wanted, so when I did what he wanted, I stayed on the floor. It jump-started my career. Now on this team, they need me to do more.” Plumlee is under the Nets’ control through the 2017/18 season.

There’s more from the Atlantic Division:

• Nets rookie Cory Jefferson could see his minutes rise as the result of the loss of Mirza Teletovic, writes Reed Wallach of Netsdaily.com. The team announced Friday that Teletovic will miss the rest of the season while he undergoes treatment for blood clots in his lungs. Wallach expects Joe Johnson to see more time as a stretch four, but also forecasts an increased role for Jefferson.
• Confidence has helped Langston Galloway make the switch from the D-League to the Knicks‘ starting lineup, according to Jonah Ballow of Knicks.com. Galloway received the first D-League callup in team history on January 7th, shortly after guards J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert were traded to Cleveland. He quickly became a fan favorite and helped the floundering Knicks to a three-game winning streak. “He is playing with a confidence,” said teammate Carmelo Anthony.  “He’s been playing like that when he was down in the D-League and he’s carrying it over to us now.”
• The Sixers will have plenty of cap room this summer, but don’t expect them to use it on a big-name free agent, writes Tom Moore of Calkins Media. Moore expects GM Sam Hinkie to pass on players like Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard and stick to the strategy of rebuilding through the draft.