The Nets just lately waived Tosan Evbuomwan, a two-way ahead who confirmed promise in restricted enjoying time final season. After enjoying for the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies as an undrafted rookie, the Newcastle, England native joined Brooklyn in January.
The choice to waive Tosan Evbuomwan was surprising. Regardless of showing in solely 28 video games final season, he carried out admirably when given the chance, averaging 9.5 factors, 4.3 rebounds and a pair of.0 assists in 23.8 minutes per recreation, demonstrating toughness and flexibility on each ends of the courtroom.
In his fifth recreation with the Nets, Evbuomwan scored a career-high 22 factors in a 112-111 time beyond regulation loss to the Utah Jazz. He averaged 10.8 factors, 5.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals over his closing 5 video games of the season. Total, the 24-year-old emerged as an economical expertise Brooklyn might nurture right into a constant rotation participant.
Though Evbuomwan appeared to have a vivid future with the Nets, their intensive roster overhaul, pushed by quite a few draft picks and aggressive expertise acquisition, led to vital turnover as they combine a wave of younger gamers into their rebuilding roster.
Waiving Evbuomwan was the most recent transfer in a busy offseason, probably hinting at one other commerce, leaving the Nets with two vacant two-way contract slots to fill. Brooklyn re-signed guard Tyson Etienne to a two-way contract in July. The 25-year-old appeared in seven video games as a reserve final season, averaging 7.9 factors, 1.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 21.6 minutes per contest.
Two-way offers are non-guaranteed and don’t impression a group’s wage cap. A number of candidates are in consideration to fill Brooklyn’s remaining two slots, although a lot might change between now and the beginning of coaching camp.
Whereas the Nets haven’t formally confirmed, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported in August that they agreed to a take care of Fanbo Zeng, a 6-11 ahead thought to be a high CBA prospect. The 22-year-old averaged 14.7 factors, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks with the Beijing Geese, taking pictures 53% from the sphere and 41% from three-point vary.
Zeng just lately educated in Phoenix with participant growth coach Vaughn Compton, who described it as Zeng’s closing prep earlier than Nets coaching camp. Compton posted on social media, praising Zeng’s uncommon taking pictures capability for a 6-11 participant. Whereas Zeng should shine in camp to safe a roster spot, he seems to suit the profile of a contemporary NBA stretch ahead.
Arguably going through a steeper problem is undrafted Alabama rookie Grant Nelson, who competed for the Nets in Summer time League and averaged 4.0 factors, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 17.9 minutes over 4 video games. The 6-11 ahead possesses a contemporary talent set, identified in faculty for his excessive motor and offensive versatility, although his 3-point taking pictures stays inconsistent and his perimeter protection wants enchancment. Nonetheless, his capability to impression the sport in a number of methods might assist him safe a distinct segment function within the NBA.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper, a 6-7 ahead just lately waived by the Dallas Mavericks to accommodate Dante Exum’s signing, is also a candidate. The 2023 first-round choose, solely 23, aligns with the Nets’ rebuilding timeline regardless of developmental wants. Averaging simply 3.5 factors per recreation in his early profession, he provides notable defensive versatility that might flourish in the correct setting.
