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CSKA’s Mike James, center, fights for the ball with Aswell Lyon-Villeurbanne’s Norris Cole, center, and Ismael Bako during their Euroleague match at the Astroball Arena in Villeurbanne, 22. December 2020.
LaMarcus Aldridge abruptly announced his retirement from the NBA last week. An irregular heartbeat has caused the seven-time All-Star to choose health and family over basketball. Suddenly, the Brooklyn Nets have an extra spot on the roster.
Brooklyn will likely want to take advantage of the space created by Aldridge’s retirement as point guard, writes ESPN’s Kevin Pelton in an article published Thursday. Ultimately, the Nets will not be able to find a true replacement for Aldridge’s dynamic skills. And with DeAndre Jordan, Nick Claxton and maybe Blake Griffin or Jeff Green on the short list, they are well positioned at the center position.
In fact, the Nets seem to be choosing the ball handler to fill the spot vacated by Aldridge.
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Networks signs Mike James
Mike James will join the Nets for the rest of the season, reports Euroleague correspondent Chema de Lucas.
Chris Sheridan, senior NBA columnist for BasketballNews.com, confirmed Lucas’ news.
I can confirm that Mike James will be moving from CSKA Moscow to the Brooklyn Nets. He was released from his contract after an altercation with the coach in Russia.
– Chris Sheridan (@sheridanhoops) April 19, 2021
According to the New York Post, the Knicks also had James in their sights as they tried to bring depth to the backcourt.
James, 30, left Lamar in 2012 and has spent most of his professional career abroad. His last NBA appearance was in 2018, when he signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans and appeared in four games for them.
The 6-foot-6 guard recently played for CSKA Moscow, which suspended him in March after an altercation with head coach Dimitris Itoudis, according to the New York Post.
James averaged 10.4 points (on 38.8 percent shooting) and 3.8 assists in 32 games for the Phoenix Suns during the 2017-18 season. Since the 2014-15 season, he has averaged 14.1 points (on 43.5 percent shooting) and 3.9 assists in 140 Euroleague games.
James has been particularly good lately, averaging 19.3 points and 4.7 assists in 27 Euroleague games this season. He shot over 40% from 3-point range the last two seasons.
VideoThe video linked to the net was reportedly signed by a veteran guard who the Knicks also coveted2021-04-20T06:00:28-04:00.
When asked how the Nets might fill Aldridge’s position, Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks said the team would proceed with caution.
As always, we will do our research and keep grinding, Marks, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. We’ll see what we have. … I don’t think we want to jump to conclusions about what we need or what we might be missing.
We’re looking at all the alternatives and all the attendees. Of course, losing a player like LaMarcus is a big blow to us. It’s about being flexible.
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Kendrick Perkins, a former NBA center who played 13 years in the league and is now an analyst for ESPN, has given his approval for the Nets to contract James.
Mike James is a QBUCKET!!! tweeted Perkins on Monday. Great meeting at Sethi’s.
Like the brother of Nets star Kevin Durant, Tony.
Durant’s brother agrees pic.twitter.com/mftsXoEy63
– Brian Niemiec (@BKBN1979) April 19, 2021
So far, James could be a good option for the Nets to score low points. Brooklyn was ravaged by a series of injuries that made him cringe at his body.
The Nets have not retained Kevin Durant for tomorrow’s game in New Orleans due to the left hip bruise he suffered in Miami. James Harden, Chris Chiozza and Tyler Johnson remain at large. Nick Claxton and Reggie Perry were eliminated due to health and safety protocols.
– Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) April 19, 2021
READ NOW : The Networks decide not to trade Spencer Dinwiddie, who has a hilarious reaction [LOOK].
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