Nets Should Sign Terrence Jones With Open Roster Spot

The Brooklyn Nets suddenly have an open roster spot after making a transaction on Monday. With the open spot, the Nets should consider signing Terrence Jones.

On Monday, the Brooklyn Nets announced veteran forward Luis Scola was being waived. The move took place for a few reasons. The Nets wanted to give Scola, 36, a chance to join a playoff contender for the stretch run of the season. But Brooklyn also wanted to clear a roster spot and evaluate some of the younger players on the roster in the process.

As a result of Scola’s departure, the Nets now have an open roster spot, which gives Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson some flexibility. There are a number of ways the Nets’ brass could go with the opening, but an intriguing option would be signing power forward Terrence Jones, who was recently waived by the New Orleans Pelicans, when they acquired DeMarcus Cousins.

Jones is a talented player, and at just 25 years old, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had several teams interested in signing him. While the Nets can’t offer a chance to push for the playoffs this season, they can offer something of value: playing time.

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The Nets are fully committed to finding young talent, and they have shown they are not afraid to take chances on a player, as evidenced by the acquisitions of Andrew Nicholson from Washington, and KJ McDaniels, from Houston.

Being that Jones is only 25, his best basketball ahead of him. He averaged 11.5 points and 5.9 rebounds in 51 games with New Orleans this season prior to being waived. Per 36 minutes, his averages were 16.6 points and 8.6 rebounds.

For a majority of the season, Scola could be found near the bottom of the Nets rotation, as he played in just 12.8 minutes per game. Nets fans often wondered whether Chris McCullough would get a chance, at the expense of Scola. McCullough is now in Washington, and Scola is off the roster. The Nets did add Nicholson, a power forward, in the McCullough trade, but they now have the ability to add another young, talented forward in Jones.

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Jones is currently in his fifth season in the NBA, out of the University of Kentucky. Jones spent four seasons with the Houston Rockets, after being drafted in the first round in 2012. Last offseason, the Pelicans signed Jones to a one-year deal in free agency, but Jones finds himself on the market yet again.

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Brooklyn made what was virtually a no-risk move in acquiring KJ McDaniels at the deadline. If the Nets want to add another player that carries little to no risk, with potential upside, they should consider signing Terrence Jones now that a roster spot has opened up.