Day’Ron Sharpe is headed to free agency this summer. The Nets can make the backup big man a restricted free agent by extending him a $5.98MM qualifying offer. Sharpe told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype he’s looking forward to what the summer may bring for his career.
“I’m looking forward to the experience because I don’t know too much about free agency. This is my first year experiencing it. I’m looking forward to learning from it and how to move later on in my career,” he said.
Sharpe believes he can enhance any team’s second unit.
“I think I’m one of the best (backup bigs),” he said. “I’m a humble person, so I don’t like really talking or comparing myself to other people. But when it comes to backup bigs, I think I’m one of the best. I’m trying to continue to prove myself and work hard.”
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Should the Nets target Duke’s Kon Knueppel with their No. 8 overall pick? Lucas Kaplan of NetsDaily.com believes Knueppel can make up for his limitations by his competitive nature as well as his shot-making and play-making abilities.
- There’s a general sense that Al Horford will continue his long career next season but where he’ll wind up in free agency is another matter. High-level playoff contenders are monitoring Horford to see if he would consider leaving Boston, according to Scotto. Another Celtics big man and free agent, Luke Kornet, is expected to have a robust market this summer after his career year. Teams with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception available are expected to pursue him, says Scotto.
- The Sixers moved up to the No. 3 spot in the draft lottery but their success next season will be predicated on how well Joel Embiid bounces back from his latest knee surgery, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer opines. The team has yet to offer an update on Embiid’s progress since he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on April 9.
I wouldn’t be mad if Al went ring chasing. Deserves to go out how he wants. Be awesome anywhere for younger guys and any coach really. Go team up with Udoka in Houston. Thank you and good luck.
Ring chasing? Al’s got his ring and loves the Celtics and we Celtics’ fans love him. Life has to be more than money and ring chasing.
No doubt. I said I wouldn’t be mad if he left. He’s left for money once before. His age Tatum out, Horford can do what he wants where he wants and have my support either way.
Al could come and play with his DR homey in NY.
I don’t see Celtics keeping both Horford and Kornet. Kornet should get decent offers. He would have been cheaper than Adams in Houston. Warriors should be looking at him.
Celtics have two solid picks. They can find a center there. Still have Queta there. Will be interesting to see where Holiday winds up.
Sixers season depends on health of their stars. Had all year to heal. Have a great pick coming at draft. They should be ready to compete. With Celtics and their troubles. Sixers could be a favorite.
Nets don’t need Duke’s Kon Knueppel. There are players with bigger upside. Maluach has to be their pick. Then go for Kuminga. Start Kuminga at them 2 and don’t look back. You offer him 35 mill first yr. Three year contract worth 85 mill. Warriors will have to do a sign n trade. Nets can load up around Kuminga and Maluach. Can even try for another lottery pick and take Jakucionis.
If that’s where Horford wants to go, fine by me. I’m not high on Knueppel personally. Am high on that Lithuanian kid though
They both played on DR national team. Horford has been a mentor to Towns. I can see him coming to NY to end his career.
Nets can give Kuminga an offer sheet. But what’s the point if GS will match it in any case.
The way the RFA works for Kuminga, I think if he signs with GS they will be able to get only half of his salary back in a trade this summer. So he will very likely stay in the GS at least for a while. Unless he’s traded for someone on a rookie deal or smth.
I mean, I’ll be over the moon if the team I like, Washington, trades Sarr (who I think is pants) for Kuminga. That could work for GS in terms of money since Sarr is on a rookie deal. But I don’t think Washington will do that, unfortunately :( And GS are not so dumb.
I’m also not very high on Knueppel if his main strength is shooting. Players who are labelled as shooters and nothing else seldom develop into something exciting in the NBA.
I was sitting there, sad and almost heartbroken, when Washington drafted Kispert while Sengun was sitting right there. I mean, you drafted “the best shooter in the draft class”. Well done, Wizards, well-bloоdy-done…
If I am the Wizards, I’d be hesitant to give up on Sarr now…and yet, it does feel like he gets a lot of credit for his defensive counting stats (blocks), when often those only come after he gets beat by his man. Letting the offensive player blow past you and then sometimes using length and speed to catch up and block their shot from behind is…not sustainable. A lot will depend on how he develops as a defender.
Sarr not only has to learn how to be a good defender, he needs to learn how to be good period. There’s not a single aspect to his game that makes one think: “Oh, that’s something you see from a competent NBA player.”
I mean, sometimes it happens that players who did not play organized basketball (or any basketball at all) until mid-teens get picked up for their physical gifts. At first, they look awful, but then develop into something. I think Siakam was like that.
But Sarr comes from a basketball family and was playing since he was a little boy; he spent several years in Real Madrid’s academy, for crying out loud. And yet he looks like he has no idea of where to position himself on the court during all phases of the game.
One thing is to tank and lose games. But to lose like Washington did this season… They have the 2nd worst point differential in the history of the league.
That’s what happens when you collect the least talented group of young players in memory (Sarr, Carrington, AJ Johnson, Johnny Davis) and give them a lot of minutes.
Sarr is frustrating, but he’ll be valuable if he is an elite
defender.
I do think that the Wizards, who have not had good fortune in the lottery, have accumulated some interesting pieces: Bilal, Tristan, Bub, Sarr, AJ, Keyshawn…but it is hard to build a sustainable winner around solid rotation guys. At some point you need some all-star calibre guys, and I don’t think any of these guys can be that.
Hmm. Al Horford and Derrick White do that, block from behind after a guy gets past them.
Kornet is a good passer, sets great screens, is good on the glass, never makes a mistake on D, can protect the rim. He’ll get paid.
Yep, exactly why Celtics need to keep Kornet. He does it all. And he’s only 30! And a 7 footer who’s agile. He will be solid for years. Pay Luke, keep Luke!
And he can shoot threes.