Nets exercise contract options on Mason Plumlee, Sergey Karasev
The Brooklyn Nets exercised third-year contract options on center Mason Plumlee and forward Sergey Karasev, the team announced Friday.
Plumlee, 23, averaged 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds as a rookie last season. He won a gold medal with Team USA during the FIBA Basketball World Cup this summer after being promoted from the Select Team during training camp. He was the No. 22 pick in the 2013 draft by the Nets after playing four seasons for Duke under Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski.
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Plumlee will back up starters Brook Lopez and Kevin Garnett at the center and power forward positions this season. Lopez's status for the start of the season is uncertain after he injured his foot earlier this month.
Brooklyn acquired Karasev in a three-team trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics during the offseason. A first-round pick by the Cavaliers in 2013, the 20-year-old averaged 1.7 points in 22 games last season for Cleveland. He has played for Russia in international competition, including during the 2012 London Olympics.
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The Nets open the regular season Wednesday on the road against the Boston Celtics.
- Paul Palladino
