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Brooklyn Nets: Update On Former Players

By Christian Milcos

Dec 16, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Andrea Bargnani (9) drives the basket as Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) defends in the second half at Barclays Center. Miami won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Andrea Bargnani (9) drives the basket as Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) defends in the second half at Barclays Center. Miami won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a disappointing 2015-2016 campaign, more than half of the Brooklyn Nets roster was set to enter free agency. Sean Marks may not have been pleased with last season’s roster (mostly constructed by his predecessor) as he did not bring back a single player who was an unrestricted free agent. With July coming to a close, where did the Nets free agents end up?

One of the low points of the Billy King era was the decision to bring in former No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani on a veterans minimum contract. Some fans may have thought that Bargnani’s cheap contract made him a low-risk pickup for the Nets. However, this was not the case as his horrendous shot selection and low basketball IQ led to him being released by Brooklyn in February.

Bargnani now returns to his home continent to play for a Spanish club, Saski Baskonia in the second most competitive basketball league in the world. He will certainly get a bigger opportunity with this team and should improve upon his 6.6 points a game average from last season with Brooklyn.

Another player who took a trip across the ocean is point guard Donald Sloan. Sloan signed a $2.7 million deal (double what he made with the Nets) with the Guangdong Southern Tigers. This is his second stint playing for the Tigers as he spent the 2012-2013 season in China where he averaged 12.6 points a game. Sloan will not be the only NBA alumnus on the squad as Ike Diogu, Yi Jianlian and Will Bynum all play for the Tigers.

Shane Larkin still remains unsigned after declining his player option with the Nets. As July comes to close, it doesn’t seem likely that Larkin will find an NBA home. ESPN’s Kevin Pelton recently reiterated this sentiment in an article on the best available free agents. A European club could be an option for the 5’10 point guard.

Jan 9, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Thomas Robinson (41) looks on from the court during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 103-89. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Thomas Robinson (41) looks on from the court during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 103-89. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Pelton also mentioned Thomas Robinson as he discussed players who may not make a return to the NBA for the 2016-2017 season. It was reported that Robinson drew some interest from the San Antonio Spurs and the Indiana Pacers but no deal has been made. Robinson could be a prime candidate for overseas basketball as well. This would be a large fall from grace for a player who was the fifth overall pick in 2012.

Jarrett Jack was able to nab a veteran’s minimum deal with the Atlanta Hawks after being released by Brooklyn. Jack is recovering from an ACL tear he sustained in December. Jack will return to Georgia where he played college basketball for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Wayne Ellington and Willie Reed both decided to take their talents to South Beach to play for the Miami Heat. Ellington, a starter for a majority of last season, will look to fill part of the void left by Dwayne Wade. Reed will provide some much-needed help to a depleted Heat front line, especially with the uncertainty of Chris Bosh’s future in basketball. Both were signed on vets minimum contracts.

Next: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Could Play Power Forward

Sergey Karasev will finally get an opportunity to play big minutes with a team. This time for the man who infamously complained about his son’s role under Lionel Hollins. Karasev will play for his father with B.C. Zenit who is located out of Saint Petersburg in Russia. The 22-year-old will look to improve upon his 2.2 points a game average with Brooklyn.