James Harden has completed his physical with the Nets, but wasn’t able to participate in today’s practice, a team spokesperson tells ESPN’s Malika Andrews (Twitter link). As Andrews explains, every player involved in this week’s blockbuster trade must complete their physicals before Harden can participate in any on-court activity for his new team.
Speaking to reporters today, Nets head coach Steve Nash expressed optimism that Harden will be available to make his Brooklyn debut against Orlando on Saturday night, tweets Howard Beck of Sports Illustrated.
As for Kyrie Irving, the NBA announced today that the star guard is on track to clear a five-day quarantine tomorrow, and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported (via Twitter) that he’s expected to play on Saturday. However, Nash didn’t seem certain about that, telling reporters today that he hasn’t been updated on Irving’s timeline (Twitter link via ESPN’s Rachel Nichols).
Here’s more on the Nets:
- General manager Sean Marks said on Thursday that the Nets were “disappointed” by Irving’s absence, as Joe Vardon of The Athletic notes. Meanwhile, Wojnarowski said during an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up (video link) that Irving will have to explain to the team “what’s transpired here in the last week” (hat tip to RealGM).
- The Nets have three open spots on their 15-man roster following their acquisition of Harden and will have to fill at least two of them soon. Bryan Kalbrosky of HoopsHype takes a look at a few veteran free agents who could be fits for Brooklyn.
- As Sopan Deb writes for The New York Times, there are some questions about how the Nets’ new Big Three will fit together, given how ball-dominant Harden, Irving, and Kevin Durant are. Nash said today that he thinks Harden and Irving can both comfortably play off the ball, while acknowledging that the three superstars will have to make the necessary adjustments to make it work (Twitter link via Ian Begley of SNY.tv).
Nash better be paying every night this works. Talent(yes) but many egos to manage.
If I’m the Nets, I sign Iman Shumpert, Dewayne Dedmon, and Rondae Hollis Jefferson.
literally couldn’t have said it better myself.
I mean hell, they could go Dedmon, chandler, and Lance thomas if they wanted size.
they had lance thomas before didnt do much for them
yup. we need defense badly. yes, maybe we should give RHJ redemption since hes improving on his shot. if we get dedmon or labrisserie, we gunna kill da boards every night prob and also rim protecting. a Kyrie, harden, KD, RHJ, and Dedmon lineup. how y’all feel bout that. i like joe harris but idk how hes gunna impact on defense.
I would call Denver and ask for Millsap, Barton and Gary Harris for Kyrie
If I were Brooklyn I’d sign Justin Patton, Justin Anderson and Iman Shumpert
They are going after, zero defense guys. May as well go get Carmelo too
The players are making millions and they still aren’t satisfied! Ungrateful jerks, if the commissioner doesn’t do something about this the nba will be the lowest rated sport of all. After 60 yrs. I am no longer a fan.
The NBA will not miss you, gramps.
Riiiiiiiiight.
Because Kareem, Charles Barkley, Shaq, Vince Carter, AD, etc, etc, etc didn’t already push you over?
maybe we could get luc mbah a moute, RHJ, and Labrisserie. dont think shumpert is a reliable 3 and D wing but at least hes got some defense and energy still left in him. at least moute can still shoot threes better than him.
Nets don’t have a need to sign more than 1 or 2 guys, and thus (deep into the tax) should save at least 1-2 roster spots for buyouts. This assumes Claxton will be back soon. The Nets have 2 way guys that can play and have played, so they have 13 available guys (with Dinwidde out). They might want to convert at least Perry (who’s been excellent) before the year’s end.
They will certainly leave a spot open for a player that gets bought out. Signing two players now. What they need most is D and 3 players. Just defensive players. MKG, RHJ are probably two good choices. I also think Faried is a great fit. Don’t get why no one signed him. After his run with Rockets. He’s out there now. They have Claxton who is a nice young big. He will get playing time now. Jordan too will have to step up now. All he needs to do is anchor the defense and reb. That will go a long way to making them a very good team. At one time he was one of best rim protectors.
MKG is a space assassin
Agree on RHJ tho
faried already agreed to a buyout with da nets two years ago and wasnt happy with da role he was playing. bringing back RHJ is a good choice cuz it seems like da wolves are more bent on getting an pj tucker. unfortunately, claxton is still injured and da only thing we got is our rookie, perry.
MKG can have a chance of getting redemption due to da fact that he was a former second pick. sure he has lots of athleticism and defensive energy but im worried bout his offense. doesnt have a reliable jumpshot maybe they could just have him finishing down the lane via cuts or off da screen finish. if only he can stay healthy.
They should only realistically have sorta 8 names of their list for those spots.
RHJ, Justin Anderson, Imam Shumpert, Andre Roberson, Kennith Faried, Dwayne Dedmon, Wilson Chandler, Lance Thomas would be my 8.
I think the best there would be Dedmon, RHJ and Shumpert. Just cause of the versatility. Dedmon can play PF/C. RHJ can play either forward spot and Shumpert can play SG/SF.
Plus each of them brings something different. Dedmon is a 7 footer that can shoot three and block shots. RHJ is a former player for the Nets, a great defender and will want to prove himself. Lastly Shumpert has been out of the league a while but the Nets gave him a run last time, he’s a mate of Kyries. He’s a decent two way player and will fit the locker room well
didnt chandler say he wus gunna take a break and go play in china? oh well i think he rescinded his choice to pursue another chance in da nba. i’d say mbah a moute is a good fit cuz he could play on and off the ball and play excellent defense when hes healthy. same with roberson unless he could get more of a consistent three point stroke. we still got udoh out there for shot blocking. and ofc diallo for floor spacing
Moute hasn’t been in the league for like 3 years that’s why I never mention him anymore
Earlier this week Nash and Marks said that Irving had an excuse for his absence and would tell the fans and media. Now they are saying that they don’t even know and he must justify it to the team. They are making things up and lying every day.
Why not sign JR Smith he’s a player that only likes to play during the playoffs and gets a ring barely earning it.