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Five Players Who Can Fill the Brooklyn Nets’ Open Roster Spot

By Sean Costello

Feb 19, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets new general manager Sean Marks speaks to the media during a press conference before a game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets new general manager Sean Marks speaks to the media during a press conference before a game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard R.J. Hunter (28) shoots for three points against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarell Martin (10) in the second half at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated Memphis 116-96. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard R.J. Hunter (28) shoots for three points against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarell Martin (10) in the second half at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated Memphis 116-96. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

R.J. Hunter

RJ Hunter has had a strange road to the NBA. After scoring 12 of his team’s last 13 points and hitting a remarkable three-pointer in the NCAA tournament to upset third-seeded Baylor and gain his claim to Internet and Vine glory, it seemed the hype on Hunter would be enough to allow him to enter the draft as a first-round prospect.

That was exactly the case. Hunter was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 28th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, and it seemed he was destined to be a solid player in the Celtics’ rotation.

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Now, less than two years later, we see that Hunter is not even with the Celtics at all. In fact, he’s actually with the Brooklyn Nets’ D-League team, the Long Island Nets. After a brief stint with the Chicago Bulls and the Windy City Bulls in 2016, the Nets acquired his rights on January 6, 2017. Now, Hunter is averaging 17.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game with the LI Nets. Very solid stats from a guy who was waived by not just one, but two, NBA teams, and who saw limited playing time in both Boston and Chicago.

It’s understandable to see why he didn’t receive much playing time with either team, as both teams had great guards who deserved more playing time on their roster. However, it seems that for one reason or another, he never really got a shot, and he may receive a shot soon with the Nets.

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It’s hard to tell if or when Hunter will be called to the Brooklyn Nets’ main roster, but he’ll most likely need to get his points per game average in Long Island above 20 points per game for the Nets to bring him up. If Hunter can be more consistent scoring-wise, he may be ending the season in Brooklyn instead of Long Island.