Brooklyn Nets: Catching up with former Nets around pro basketball
By Phil Watson
Josh Boone, Melbourne United
Departed New Jersey: Restricted free agent, July 1, 2010
Josh Boone became a restricted free agent at the end of his rookie deal after the 2009-10 season, but has not returned to the NBA since.
Boone has played in China, the NBA G League, the Philippines, Bahrain, Estonia, Russia, Turkey, Australia and Hong Kong, but has been with Melbourne United in Australia since April 2017.
The 34-year-old has started 27 of 28 games in Australian National Basketball League play, averaging 11.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 24.1 minutes per game, shooting 56.2 percent.
The Nets selected Boone from the University of Connecticut with the 23rd overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.
In four seasons in New Jersey, Boone played in 256 games and made 88 starts, averaging 5.2 points and 4.9 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game on 54.4 percent shooting.
Yi Jianlian, Guangdong Southern Tigers
Departed New Jersey: Traded to Washington Wizards, June 29, 2010
The New Jersey Nets dealt Yi Jianlian and cash considerations to the Washington Wizards on June 29, 2010, getting Quinton Ross back in exchange.
Yi became a free agent after the 2010-11 season and signed with the Dallas Mavericks in January 2012. He returned to China in September 2012, save for an attempt to make the Los Angeles Lakers roster in training camp in 2016.
He returned to the Guangdong Southern Tigers on Oct. 26, 2016, and remains with the club.
In 33 starts this season, the 31-year-old is averaging 22.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals in 29.0 minutes per game, shooting 57.3 percent overall and 40.7 percent on 2.5 3-point attempts per game, per RealGM.
Yi was acquired by the Nets along with Bobby Simmons on a June 26, 2008, trade that sent Richard Jefferson to the Milwaukee Bucks.
In two seasons in New Jersey, Yi played in 113 games, starting 103, and averaged 10.2 points and 6.2 rebounds in 27.2 minutes per game, shooting 39.3 percent overall and 34.8 percent on 1.6 deep tries a game.
Courtney Lee, Dallas Mavericks
Departed New Jersey: Traded to Houston Rockets, Aug. 11, 2010
The New Jersey Nets moved Courtney Lee to the Houston Rockets as part of a four-team swapfest on Aug. 11, 2010, getting Troy Murphy back from the Indiana Pacers in return. The Rockets sent Trevor Ariza to the New Orleans Hornets, who sent Darren Collison and James Posey to the Pacers in the deal.
Lee has been moving regularly since, spending time with the Rockets, Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 31 in the Kristaps Porzingis deal.
The 33-year-old has played in just 16 games this season, starting two, and is averaging 3.6 points in 11.6 minutes per game, shooting 44.9 percent overall and is 5-for-17 from 3-point range.
The Nets acquired Lee along with Rafer Alston and Tony Battie in a June 25, 2009, trade with the Orlando Magic, sending Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson the other way.
In his lone season in New Jersey, Lee played in 71 games, starting 66, and averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 33.5 minutes per game, shooting 43.6 percent overall and 33.8 percent on 3.3 deep tries a game.
Sean Williams, Al-Riffa
Departed New Jersey: Waived, Jan. 15, 2010
The New Jersey Nets pulled the plug on former first-round pick Sean Williams, waiving him on Jan. 15, 2010.
It’s been an adventure for Williams since, playing in China, Puerto Rico, the NBA G League, Israel, Turkey, Iran and the Philippines before landing in Bahrain this season, first with Al-Muharraq and then transferring to Al-Riffa on Dec. 31.
He also spent time with the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics, but has been absent from the NBA scene since being waived by the Houston Rockets in August 2012.
The Nets selected Williams with the 17th overall pick from Boston College in the 2007 NBA Draft.
But in parts of three seasons, he played just 126 games after making 29 starts in 73 games as a rookie. He averaged 4.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 14.8 minutes per game, shooting 50.5 percent overall and going 0-for-1 from 3-point range.