Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter |
Discussions between Lance Thomas and the Brooklyn Nets have centered around Thomas having a regular season roster spot, per SNY sources.
The Nets have 15 players on guaranteed deals, but can add an extra player after the fifth game of Wilson Chandler's 25-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.
Nets GM Sean Marks acknowledged on Tuesday that the team will look into adding a 16th player on the roster during Chandler's suspension.
So Thomas, a former Knick, could slide into that roster spot. If Brooklyn added a 16th player during Chandler's 25-game suspension, they'd have to waive someone under contract to keep that player after Chandler returns.
Brooklyn has a two-way contract spot open and has 19 players under contract after signing center John Egbunu and guard C.J. Williams on Wednesday. So the Nets can add Thomas before reaching the training camp maximum.
Marks was asked specifically about signing Carmelo Anthony as a free agent, but declined to address the 10-time All-Star specifically.
"I will say we will do our due diligence on everybody. We've looked at multiple players, we've brought in several players, whether it was throughout the summer for pickup and they've come in on their own accord," Marks said. "It's documented that guys were playing together in L.A. (with Anthony), so for us, I think we'll use our Exhibit 10s, we'll use training camp in which to try and figure it out, whether it's two-way spots and so forth. We'll use that to figure out where we go."
Worth noting on Thomas: he has a relationship with Nets star Kevin Durant from their days in Oklahoma City. Thomas averaged 4.5 points and 2.1 rebounds in 46 games last season. The Duke product, who played high school ball in New Jersey and grew up in Brooklyn, has eight seasons of NBA experience.
The New York Post first reported the Nets' interest in Thomas and the Athletic reported both sides were progressing toward a deal.