Ever since the Nets hired Sean Marks in 2016, he has been one of the NBA’s most active general managers, making a move within 48 hours of the draft every year. This year could be more of the same, with the draft returning to Barclays Center on Thursday and the Nets doing their due diligence behind the scenes.
While there have been reports that the Nets are looking to dump their first-round pick (No. 27 overall) for immediate veteran help, sources told The Post they’re more likely to stay in the first round. Tuesday, Bleacher Report asserted the Nets might be looking to move up, even if it costs them Landry Shamet.
The report makes sense. The Nets shopped Shamet earlier in the season in an effort to land a first-round pick they could have in turn repackaged and shipped off in the megadeal for James Harden. When they didn’t get any offers they liked, they ended up having to include Jarrett Allen instead.
Shamet is under control and a bargain because he’s still on his rookie contract. After struggling through his first 16 games this past season — averaging just five points on .286 shooting from 3-point range — the young off-guard came around. Shamet averaged 10.8 points on .408 from deep over 45 games the rest of the way.
The Nets have until Oct. 18 to extended Shamet. It remains to be seen if they will, or even if they will package him to move up in the first round. The Lakers, who have the 22nd-overall pick, are open to moving back, according to ESPN.
The Nets, who have picks Nos. 27, 44, 49 and 59, could package their three second-round picks to consolidate and move up.
The two prospects most often linked with the Nets in mock drafts are 6-foot-9 Stanford swingman Ziaire Williams and 6-11 North Carolina center Day’Ron Sharpe. Williams said has not worked out for the Nets, but he did grow up a Kevin Durant fan and met with the team for 25 minutes at the combine in Chicago.
Bleacher Report also reported the Nets are losing director of contract management (ie, capologist) Andrew Baker to the Mavericks and could lose assistant GM Jeff Peterson to the Celtics. The Post confirmed the former report is accurate, but the latter is not. Or at least is premature.
In a suddenly crowded point guard market, Spencer Dinwiddie appears to be the free-agent fallback option for teams that miss out on Kyle Lowry. Dinwiddie has been linked with the Knicks, Pelicans and Heat.
Former President Barack Obama has joined NBA Africa as a strategic partner.
“The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States — using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent,” Obama said. “By investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africa’s young people.
“I’ve been impressed by the league’s commitment to Africa, including the leadership shown by so many African players who want to give back to their own countries and communities.That’s why I’m proud to join the team at NBA Africa and look forward to a partnership that benefits the youth of so many countries.”
The NBPA agreed to keep the play-in and extended last year’s two-way modifications for this upcoming season.