The Nets will not pick up Sergey Karasev‘s $2.5MM team option for the 2016/17 season, Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops reports (Twitter link).
Karasev underwent season-ending surgery on his right knee in March, but he entered the regular season at full health. Karasev, 22, is not an integral part of the Nets’ rotation. He played only two minutes in Friday’s game and did not play in Brooklyn’s other two contests. We noted that it was generally likely for Brooklyn to pick up the option, considering the cost, but as Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com points out (on Twitter), the decision indicates the Nets likely do not think too highly of Karasev. Brooklyn does not have any other pending rookie scale team options for this year. The Nets have $45,379,214 in guaranteed salary for 2016/17.
Karasev appeared in 33 games for Brooklyn last season season, averaging 4.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 16.8 minutes per contest. The swingman was originally drafted by the Cavs with the No. 19 pick in the 2013 draft.