Sports
Nets sign versatile forward Darius Bazley in NBA free agency move – New York Post
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The Nets agreed to a one-year deal with young big man Darius Bazley on Friday. The move was first reported by Hoopshype, and confirmed by The Post.
Bazley just turned 23-years-old and fits in with the Nets’ adjusted timeline and their 24-to-27-year-old core.
A versatile 6-foot-8, 208 pounds, he played power forward for Oklahoma City until he was moved to backup center this past season despite his spindly frame.
He was dealt to Phoenix before the trade deadline.
A former first-round pick, Bazley averaged a modest 5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14.3 minutes off the bench last season for the Thunder and Suns, shooting 54.5 percent overall and 37.7 from deep.
But he was far more effective the previous two seasons as a starter in Oklahoma City.
Bazley averaged 13.7 points and 7.2 rebounds in 2020-21, and 10.8 points and 6.3 boards the next season for the Thunder.
For a Nets team that finished second-worst in the entire NBA in rebound rate at 47.2 percent, any help is needed.
The Nets have now filled all 15 standard roster spots, though they could have another opening soon.
They agreed to push back the guarantee date on Edmond Sumner from July 6 to Saturday.
The backup point guard sent out a tweet Friday about facing adversity and controlling what he can control.
If the Nets don’t guarantee Sumner’s contract, they will go back to having an open standard spot. 
