Nets Officially Sign Blatche and Livingston To Deals

The Brooklyn Nets have officially signed two free agents to their roster for next year.

Andray Blatche agreed to terms on a two-year, $2.9 million contract with the Nets and word is that it contains a player option for the second year of the deal.  Most likely if Blatche plays well again this year then the Nets will negotiate a long term deal with him next year as they would have his bird rights which would allow a bigger contract.

Blatche will become the first big off the bench for Brooklyn and could play both center and power forward positions to help alleviate minutes to Kevin Garnett and Brook Lopez.

[quote_simple] Press release on Andray Blatche

Brooklyn, NY – The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed free agent forward/center Andray Blatche, General Manager Billy King announced today. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released. Blatche originally signed with Brooklyn as a free agent on September 12, 2012.

“Andray was a vital member of our team last season,“ said King. “He provides valuable front court depth, and we look forward to his continued contribution.”

In his first season with the Nets, the 6’11’’ Blatche averaged 10.3 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 51.2% from the field in 19.0 minutes per game, and was the only Net to appear in all 82 games. Over eight starts, the 49th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft averaged 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds, while shooting 52.3% from the field. In his third postseason appearance, Blatche recorded personal playoff-highs in scoring (10.3 points per game), rebounding (4.9) and assists (1.3). The eight year veteran, who spent his first seven seasons with the Washington Wizards, holds career averages of 9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks over 491 games (184 starts).[/quote_simple]

The second signing was for point guard Shaun Livingston who will in all likelihood become Deron Williams backup this season.  the Nets lost C.J. Watson to the Indiana Pacers.

This was one signing that King needed to make to solidify that position with a veteran as second year player, Tyshawn Taylor, doe snot look ready from his summer league struggles.

[quote_simple] Press release on Shaun Livingston

Brooklyn, NY – The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent guard Shaun Livingston, General Manager Billy King announced today. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

“Shaun’s abilities give our roster added versatility in the backcourt,” said King. “His basketball acumen and the way he plays the game are a great fit for this team.”

Livingston, an eight-year NBA veteran who has played for seven different teams, averaged 6.3 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.4 rebounds on 48% shooting over 66 games (16 starts) last season for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards. After being acquired by the Cavaliers on December 25, 2012, the 6’7’’ Livingston averaged 7.1 points and 3.6 assists while shooting 48% from the field in 23.0 minutes over 49 games (12 starts). Livingston, who was the 4th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, holds career averages of 6.7 points and 3.5 assists in 390 contests. In his second season, 2005-06, he made his only playoff appearance with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he averaged 7.5 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.7 rebounds and advanced to the second round.

The 2004 McDonalds All-American, who entered the NBA out of high school, was selected as the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for April, 2005[/quote_simple]

[quote_box]Mike Prada of SBNation made these comments on Livingston:

SHAUN LIVINGSTON: A great signing by Brooklyn to replace C.J. Watson, who left for Indiana. Livingston quietly played really well for the Cavaliers as Kyrie Irving’s backup after being waived by Washington in December.

His biggest problem is that he can’t space the floor, but since rescuing his career in his first tour of duty in Washington in 2010, he’s actually become a pretty useful backup. He won’t be able to play with Deron Williams like Watson could, but for the minimum, you could do far worse.

GRADE: A-[/quote_box]