After playing with the Nets down the stretch in the 2020/21 season, veteran guard Mike James is interested in returning to Brooklyn, a league insider tells NetsDaily. James remains close with star forward Kevin Durant, who traveled to Europe to watch his former teammate play in the EuroLeague this spring.
With Kyrie Irving, Patty Mills, and Goran Dragic all eligible for free agency, the Nets’ backcourt could undergo some changes this offseason, so a reunion with James isn’t out of the question. The team still controls his Non-Bird rights and could offer him either a minimum-salary deal or something slightly above it.
Still, it’s unclear whether the Nets have interest in bringing back James, who threw some cold water on NetsDaily’s report himself in a reply on Twitter.
“(I don’t know) how to even take this rumor,” James wrote. “Would I like to play alongside my friend Kevin? Yes. But I’d also like to play alongside my 10 other of my close friends. Some play in the NBA, Europe and some don’t play professional.”
Here’s more on the NBA’s two New York teams:
- The Knicks worked out a handful of possible lottery targets on Monday. In addition to TyTy Washington, G League Ignite guard Dyson Daniels and Ohio State wing Malaki Branham were also in town to audition for the team, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic and Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter links).
- Memphis forward Josh Minott, viewed as a probable second-round pick, also worked out for the Knicks on Monday, tweets Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog.com.
- Memphis shooting guard Lester Quinones is working out for the Knicks on Tuesday and the Nets on Thursday, a source tells Jake Weingarten of StockRisers.com (Twitter link). Quinones has previously worked out for the Warriors and Lakers, among other teams.
- Notre Dame forward Paul Atkinson, the 2020 Ivy League Player of the Year at Yale, will work out on Tuesday for the Nets, tweets Zagoria.
- Fred Katz of The Athletic explores several hypothetical scenarios in which the Knicks trade up from No. 11, weighing how many assets they’d have to give up and whether their potential trade partners would have legitimate interest.
Nets should have taken the 23rd pick.
Full year of Harden Maxey without Simmons drama plus rebuilding the 76ers bench….. strong chance the pick next year is worse than 23.
This may be true but they might not feel the need to add 1st round guy this year though. Cam Thomas and Sharpe barely played last year. Kessler Edwards is still there also and they may want that roster spot for a veteran.
This also makes it harder for the 76ers to deal the pick and or future picks, handcuffing certain trade scenarios. Philly (a main competitor) can’t deal the pick before its made because next years pick is due to the Nets. (Stephien Rules) Philly would have to pick for the other team and then later trade the picked player.
The Nets might also see the benefit of some Harden contract drama this off season and or a Embiid injury next season.
Great point. This is chess. I’m definitely interested to see if the Sixers regress next season. That pick could be 11-15 if the Nets are lucky.
BKN did the right thing by deferring the pick. Even if it ends up in the same slot next year, it’s a trade asset during the summer and the upcoming season. Their own picks can’t be traded until 2028. Sometimes that’s the price a seller wants, not other contracts. Firsts can punch above their weight in the trade market, particularly when combined with TPEs, which BKN has.
Another reason might be that BKN had 4 rookies last year (including the undrafted 2 way David Duke), and retained rights to 2 other 2nd round picks (MZ and RG) they somehow managed to convince to go to the G-league without ever getting an NBA contract (even a preseason one). I’m guessing they got the promise of one for next season. Anyway, if all 6 guys are on the roster this year (2 way or 15 man), that would only leave 11 spots for vets.
I still like David Duke lol. Nets don’t need the 23rd pick. But they could have traded it.
The trade value of the 2023 1st is greater, and it can hold its value into the season. 2022 would have to be dealt at the draft or immediately thereafter.
Duke has the physical attributes. He’s had them since he was a FR in college. He’s still in his window to seize on it, and I’d love to see him do it. But his best season was his FR season at PC. Mock drafts before his SOPH season had him in the top 10. He’s trended down ever since.
Hear U bro. He has kind of stayed there. I also think money is an issue with that pick now.
Trading up from the bottom of the lottery is so stupid. Knicks should have tanked if they wanted a higher draft pick. It’s amazing that so many teams don’t understand the way to construct a good roster in the modern NBA. Tank, draft a star, draft and sign players to support him. Simple. The only trades they should be making should be to acquire more draft assets, not less.
When you have extra picks. And young players teams will want. You can trade up. Really does nothing complaining about things teams do. I’ve always known I could do a better job. But it’s their job. You can only make the best of what they do. I’m good with the 11th pick.
LOL. Yes, brilliant, just tank! What’s amazing is that 2k’ers like yourself continue to espouse a method of roster construction that has never (not once) produced a championship team. In fact, other than the chance of getting a star (which requires tanking, but even more luck), it’s never even developed a good roster. Nothing could be as simple and definitive as the word never. Yet, I guess the appeal is too great to some to resist it.
Ochai Agbaji — love this guy. He’s a 22 yr old rookie. Who has great 2way potential. Think Ray Allen …. Yeah I said it. He’s that good a shooter or will be. And is a system guy who needs to be more selfish. He will definitely be there at #11.
TyTy – a real PG at 6’ 3”. He broke Walls ast record at Kentucky. For most ast in a gm. He is a true PG with a great handle. Can score from anywhere. But what I like most. Is he always plays under control. I’m pretty sure he will be there at #11.
I would be extático with any of these two. But I prefer TyTy. Have watched plenty of video on him. He’s won me over. Both these guys will be starters and solid staters in the NBA. That’s what #11 is this yr.
.2017 . Kevin Mitchell was the 13th pick. That’s how I look at #11 …….
I have no idea why the knickerbockers would want to trade away their young assets just to move up a few spots in a top heavy draft that falls off after about five players. Agbaji is overrated and cannot create his own shots, just read the scouting report on who the biggest busts of this draft class will be, and Washington is a redundancy!!! if I had to choose between him and IQ, there is no contest of who I would pick. Also where would players like Deuce, Grimes, Obi, IQ and even Sims would rank in this underwhelming draft class.
I don’t think they are looking to. More likely they would be looking to trade away future picks (2023 DAL 1st, and some of 2nd’s of which they have a boatload).
I don’t see the recent later draftees that have adopted the Thibs’ team culture as their own (IQ, Grimes, McBride, Sims) being traded to move up (or even drafted over in place). Toppin or Reddish maybe, depends. FWIW, I don’t see them being able to do it. The teams looking to trade down are largely looking for vets, not additional picks or young players.