The Nets are hoping former No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett can finally find his footing in Brooklyn.
Bennett and the Nets reportedly agreed to a deal on Thursday, filling out Brooklyn's roster at 15 players.
The 23-year-old forward was taken No. 1 overall in the 2013 by Cleveland, but has come nowhere near matching those expectations.
Bennett has bounced around the league, averaging only 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in three seasons with Cleveland, Minnesota and Toronto. Last season, he played only 19 games with the Raptors and spent time playing for their D-League team before being waived.
There have been consistent questions about Bennett's work-ethic and commitment throughout his career.
But the Nets, who don't have control of their first round pick until 2019, must take risks on young talents. And they will try to get Bennett to realize his potential in Brooklyn under new coach Kenny Atkinson. The Nets aren't giving up much to take their chance on Bennett: according to multiple reports, Bennett's contract is for two years at the minimum.
The Nets also reportedly agreed to sign veteran guard Randy Foye earlier Thursday. Foye, a 32-year-old Newark, N.J., native, averaged 5.9 points and 2.0 assists in 81 games with Oklahoma City and Denver last season.
The Nets newly-completed roster isn't packed with talent. After the Nets tried, and failed, to bring Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson to Brooklyn on big offer sheets, Brooklyn's additions have been modest: veteran forward Luis Scola, reserve point guard Greivis Vasquez, journeyman guard Joe Harris, along with Foye and Bennett.
But with the first offseason under new general manager Sean Marks nearly complete, the Nets have flexibility and some reason for hope. Brooklyn will have plenty of cap space this season, which could make the Nets an opportunistic trade partner come deadline time. The Nets will also have plenty of cap space a year from now, somewhere near $50 million, to spend in a much deeper free agent class.
The Nets don't look like much a free agent destination now, but if one of their unproven talents blossoms, things could look much different a year from now.
