1:03pm: The Roberson signing is official, the Nets announced in a press release.
6:16am: The Nets have waived center Norvel Pelle, opening up a spot on their 15-man roster, the team announced in a press release issued early on Tuesday morning.
With that newly-opened roster spot, Brooklyn will sign free agent forward Andre Roberson, who has agreed to a deal with the club, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link) initially reported that the Nets were “strongly considering” adding Roberson to replace Pelle.
Charania had said on Monday that the Nets mulled the possibility of signing Roberson last month before opting for veteran swingman Iman Shumpert instead. With so many non-guaranteed contracts at the back of their roster – including Pelle’s – the Nets ultimately decided to circle back to the former Thunder forward.
Roberson, who is limited on offense but has a reputation as a defensive stopper, returned last August during the NBA’s summer restart after having been on the shelf for two-and-a-half years due to knee issues. In his last full season, way back in 2016/17, he averaged 6.6 PPG and 5.1 RPG on .464/.245/.423 shooting and typically guarded opponents’ top perimeter threats.
Roberson’s defensive ability should be an asset on a Nets team that doesn’t lack offensive firepower, with Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving leading the way. Roberson and Durant were teammates for three years in Oklahoma City.
As Bobby Marks of ESPN tweets, Brooklyn will carry a modest $217,845 cap hit for Pelle’s 22-day stint with the club. The big man, who logged limited minutes in just three games for the Nets, will clear waivers on Thursday and will be free to sign with any team, assuming he goes unclaimed.
If Roberson signs a guaranteed contract or is retained beyond the salary guarantee deadline of February 24, he’ll have a full-season cap hit of $998,978, the prorated portion of the veteran’s minimum, per Marks. Once the signing is official, the Nets will once again have a full 15-man roster, though they could make additional adjustments before next Wednesday’s salary guarantee deadline.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I don’t think he lasts past Feb 24, but we’ll see. If anyone can hide him on offense its BRK.
He should have an improved 3 point shot now…
Roberson defending multiple positions will be his saving grace. Haven’t seen him in some time. Has good length & size, just needs the athleticism he had before injury.
If he takes 3’s at a 21% clip in BRK he will be going straight to the bench. He’s a lay-up, dunk guy. Anyone can change, its just not very common.
why dont they sign Rondae? he can play defense
I said they should sign Robes and they did. He’s been working on his 3 point shot so perhaps the nets get 3 & D Robes rather than just D Roberson… Hopefully the free throw percentage has improved too. He’s played with KD before in OKC so that will surely help…
I’m starting to think RHJ killed somebody’s puppy
Lmaoooooo
He’s going to be an interesting small ball 5, essentially.
This is weird…
One thing to remember is that the Nets are in salary cap hell. So, some of these recent moves have more to do with cap management than talent acquisition.
Not really. Nets are horrible defensively. If Roberson is out there with Kyrie, Harden and Durant, he’s not scoring anyways. Someone has to play defense.
Good for him and he is ( at least was) an elite defender
Yes he was, 3 or 4 years ago. He won’t be anything close to elite for the Nets. Brooklyn is scraping the bottom of the barrel, these are just temporary signings.
Lol who needs centers amirite?
Anyone who plays D is good for Nets. Playing with great offensive players. You get better looks and easier shots. He was all defensive team honor. He can help Nets.
Roberson was 2nd team All-Defense almost 4 years ago.
He won’t be any more helpful to the Nets than Pelle or Vonleh were.
Right and of course you’d know. Like you did Westbrook n Harden and Rockets begin 5 seed this yr. It’s always best to let things play out before criticizing them. Nets need wing defenders so let’s see it.
Apparently he a 3 ball sniper now.