Brooklyn Nets free agency round up: Dennis Smith Jr., Lonnie Walker IV, and more
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Rebuilding teams rosters are often in perpetual motion. You’re going to need a scorecard or a hotel register to figure out who’s coming and going. Here’s a primer. Lonnie Walker IV, Trendon Watford, and Dennis Smith Jr. were like prongs on ancillary clock wheel in the Brooklyn Nets rotation last season. One after the other, they took turns sliding into place with the main one, helping to push the team forward as a contributing force off the bench. But then, after about a two week period, they’d spin to back of the rotation, not to be seen for some time.
It was curious phenomenon, even for a squad that underwent a coaching change midway through the season and experienced significant injuries.
None of these part-time sixth men finished the year with marks that’ll raise an eyebrow. Each dealt with offsetting deficiencies as well. But alas, only one found his way to another contract with the Brooklyn Nets this summer — that being Trendon Watford — who provided a spark for the team as it sunk into Tartarus-level darkness.
Watford, two and three years younger than Walker IV and Smith Jr., put pen to paper on the his qualifying offer from Brooklyn a little over a week into free agency. The deal brings him back for $2.7 million for one more year. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
So with one prong taken care of, that begs the question, what of the other two? Well, not a whole lot.
Walker IV’s situation been an easier tell than his fellow high-flyer in Smith Jr. The ex-Laker came to Brooklyn last year fresh off a playoff performance that made him a cult hero in the City of Angels. But in a tweet the day before the free agency flood gates opened up, he made it clear he was gone...
I ain’t even reach my prime yet yall gonna see soon. The apology better be just as loud as the disrespect— Lonnie Walker IV (@lonniewalker_4) June 29, 2024
Nobody has picked Walker IV up yet nor have we heard or seen anything from other teams. Theoretically, the Nets could re-sign him, but the safe bet is that we’ve seen the last of Wallker in Brooklyn.
As for Smith Jr., NetsDaily sources says its very unlikely he’ll be back as well. However, any indication that Smith Jr. won’t return hasn’t stopped him from supporting his assumed ex-teammates this month. The journeyman point guard was court side this past weekend rooting on Jalen Wilson, Noah Clowney and the rest of the Summer League Nets in Las Vegas.
UFA Dennis Smith Jr. is here to watch the Nets Summer League team. pic.twitter.com/B6fxwANIDY— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) July 14, 2024
Touted for his defensive skills and more, Smith Jr. has received interest from others teams — or at least their fanbases. After officially becoming a free agent, DSJ quoted a highlight from his days as a Dallas Maverick featuring a caption prompting him to re-join the Western Conference champs. Smith Jr. called the highlight a special clip and moment in his life.
First game winner in da league over one a my favorite players ever. This a always b a special clip and moment in my life https://t.co/mlXisxSIf6— Dennis Smith Jr. (@Dennis1SmithJr) July 8, 2024
Smith Jr. also reposted a highlight reel put out by what appears to be a Charlotte Hornets fan account that asked if he’s still available. Skip to the one-minute mark if you want to see him burry one from Curry-range over every Nets fan’s favorite ex.
Dennis Smith Jr is still a free agent? pic.twitter.com/0x5rwpKPbU— Israel (@iohandles) July 9, 2024
Even with both guards expected to put on different colored jerseys next season, the Nets free agency picture is still unsettled. Officially, the Nets have 14 players under contract, all but two guaranteed as well as two two-way slots and several exhibit 10 contracts, aka training camp invites. But that doesn’t tell the full story.
Brooklyn had to take back one more player than they sent out in the Mikal Bridges trade. Out went Bridges and Keita Bates-Diop. In came Bojan Bogdanovic, Shake Milton, and Mamadi Diakite, though his deal is only partially guaranteed. The Nets are also fielding offers for veteran free agents Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith. Don’t be surprised that with both carrying large salaries — Johnson at $23.6 million and DFS at $14.9 million — if deals for them are complicated. More additions and subtractions.
Also, NBA teams can bring 20 players into camp. This might be a year when there’s a real competition for final slots. The deadline for getting down to 15 standard deals — and three two-ways — is the day before the season opens, probably October 21. So there’s a lot of sorting out to do before Brooklyn takes the court.
The Nets summer league roster offers some insight into the team’s decision-making process ... and their options. Jalen Wilson is signed to a partially guaranteed deal, with a trigger date of Opening Night. Obviously, he’s not going anywhere. Keon Johnson and Jacob Gilyard, both of whom have played well this week, are unrestricted free agents who could fill two-way slots but KJ in particular may want — and get — more. Meanwhile, the team has reportedly been working out free agents. Erik Slater reported earlier in the week that Brooklyn attended a workout for Killian Hayes, the former No. 7 pick in the 2020 Draft who was dumped by the Pistons last season. He’s still only 22.
As for camp invites, Mark Armstrong and KJ Jones II are the only players signed to Exhibit 10 deals but both have played sparingly thus far. It’s possible that other Summer Leaguers will also wind up at HSS Training Center come October. Under the CBA, NBA teams automatically retain the G League rights to players on Exhibit 10 deals who are waived by NBA teams. So don’t be surprised if Armstrong, Jones etc. form the backbone of the Long Island Nets roster along with the team’s two-way players. (Jaylen Martin, the 6’6” wing the Nets signed to a two-way last season, is already under contract.)
So, don’t expect Brooklyn’s training camp roster to be settled anytime soon or for that matter at any point during the season. Rebuilding teams run through a lot of players during the course of a season as they try to figure out what and who can work. During Sean Marks first rebuild, as many as 26 players wore a Nets uniform during the course of the season.
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