Grade the deal: Nets agree to deal with free-agent guard Wayne Ellington
The Brooklyn Nets have agreed to a deal in principle with free-agent shooting guard Wayne Ellington, the team announced on Thursday.
The deal is a one-year contract worth $1.5 million, reports Tim Bontemps of the New York Post.
Ellington spent the 2014–15 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 10.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 41.2% shooting.
The 27-year-old is a former first round draft pick who has also played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks over his six-year career.
Brooklyn also made its re-signings of Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young official on Thursday, and announced the additions of Thomas Robinson and Shane Larkin.
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The Nets finished 38–44 last season, earning a playoff bid before falling to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round.
Analysis: Another low-budget move made to better a team under salary gridlock. Brooklyn is doing what it can. With no cap space and limited exceptions, the Nets picked up Thomas Robinson, Shane Larkin, and now Ellington—a balanced haul of rebounding, ball handling, and shooting. Ellington isn’t much more than a spot-up option, though the Nets could use just that kind of player in the wake of Alan Anderson’s departure. — Rob Mahoney
