Misplaced within the Nets’ Dennis Schroder commerce — and the high-level impression on tanking and the draft — are the younger guards going out, and coming again in.
The Nets introduced again two-way guard Reece Beekman from Golden State, and waived Yongxi Cui — now out for the 12 months with a torn ACL — to make room.
“While you’re in a position to purchase a younger man that we’ve been learning for some time, going again to his school days, the group right here has been targeted on [Beekman] and bringing him in and taking a great close-up have a look at him,” GM Sean Marks mentioned.
“So from a defensive standpoint, we’re going to overlook a number of the issues with Dennis leaving, and hopefully when Reece is available in right here, he can choose up the slack. And he’ll have each alternative like the remainder of these guys to go on the market and compete, earn minutes and be part of this rotation, hopefully.”
He’ll nearly need to.
Schroder will probably be changed by Ben Simmons, however the Nets don’t have one other confirmed level guard.
Shake Milton and Keon Johnson are backup off-guards, and Killian Hayes has not impressed taking part in for G-League Lengthy Island.
The 6-foot-3 Beekman is an undrafted rookie however has outperformed Hayes within the G League.
He’s averaging 18.7 factors on 51.5 p.c taking pictures for Santa Cruz, 7.3 assists (ninth within the G League), 5.2 rebounds and a couple of.8 steals (third within the league).
“Yeah, excited to have him,” coach Jordi Fernandez mentioned. “Defensive-minded participant; I believe he led his convention in steals. Some extent guard that can assist our ball stress, our exercise on protection, playmaking, working the staff. So, excited to have him. He’ll get right here quickly, so we’ll get to work with him quickly.”
Beekman was simply the third participant to ever win back-to-back ACC Defensive Participant of the Yr awards, and has carried that into the G League.
With the rebuilding Nets, he’ll get a reliable shot within the NBA.
Hayes is the larger participant and larger identify, however is taking pictures simply 30 p.c from deep for Lengthy Island and 60 p.c from the charity stripe.
Cui was waived to make room for Beekman.
Milton is primarily an off-guard, however has logged 40 p.c of his minutes this season as a degree guard.
That might rise within the rapid future.
“Simply persevering with to do what we do: Get out, play quick, play with tempo, tempo and area. Get within the lane. Create for myself, create for others,” Milton mentioned. “[Schroder’s] factors for certain, one thing that we’re gonna miss. However he additionally [had] round seven assists a sport. After which additionally he was the chief when it got here to choosing up full court docket. So these are essential stuff you’ve obtained to choose up on, too.”
Monday marks the return of Cleveland’s Kenny Atkinson for the primary time as a head coach because the Nets fired him.
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