Nets’ convert David Duke Jr. to standard contract; Miss out on other young talent

The Brooklyn Nets announced on Friday morning that the team has officially converted two-way guard David Duke Jr. to a standard contract.

After two years as a two-way player, the Nets felt Duke Jr. had shown enough to earn his way onto the main roster.

In two years with the Long Island Nets, the 23-year-old averaged 20.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. The six-foot-four guard has only spent limited time with the Nets main roster this season, but over 21 games, Duke Jr. averaged 3.1 points per game, 1.0 rebound per game, and just under one assist per game at 0.8. Although his limited minutes with the Nets didn’t show much, Brooklyn felt the 2021 undrafted prospect was ready to be promoted.

The Providence product now finds himself eligible for his first playoff run if the Nets manage to clinch a playoff berth with two games left in the regular season.

Nets miss out on retaining Moses Brown

In part of the decision to convert Duke Jr. to a standard contract, Brooklyn’s general manager Sean Marks elected to not bring back 23-year-old center Moses Brown.

The former UCLA standout signed two 10-day contracts with the Nets over the past month. Despite only playing in three total minutes for Brooklyn, Brown is averaging 4.3 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, and 0.1 assists per game in stops with the Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Perhaps the young journeyman will find his next home as the regular season comes to an end. But as for Brooklyn, the team has elected to move forward with their former draft pick, Duke Jr.

The Nets signing of David Duke Jr. has allowed the team to officially fill all 15 available roster spots with the postseason around the corner. Brooklyn’s final roster for the playoffs seems set with two games left to play.