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Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson needed to make the abrupt transition from Phoenix to Brooklyn eventually 12 months’s commerce deadline.
Now it’s former teammate Keita Bates-Diop’s flip.
The Nets traded veteran Royce O’Neale to the Suns to get three second-round picks, cap aid and Bates-Diop, a 28-year-old going by way of the identical dizzying course of Bridges and Johnson did a 12 months in the past.
“I acquired a name from my agent at like 11, [he said] one thing would possibly undergo. Then it occurred and it’s been a blur ever since,” Bates-Diop mentioned earlier than Saturday’s 123-103 victory over the Spurs at Barclays Heart. “However I’m completely happy to be right here. Very, very completely happy. … It’s truthfully simply been a blur, from when it occurred to flying out right here, the time change, going by way of primarily media day, half form of practiced [Friday]. So truthfully I’m excited for the sport. That’s the one factor that’s usually simple for me.”
Bates-Diop, who scored two factors in 4 minutes within the Nets’ win, spent final season in Phoenix, teammates with Bridges and Johnson till they had been dealt for Kevin Durant on the deadline.
Earlier than that he spent three seasons in San Antonio the place he performed alongside Lonnie Walker IV.
“I see loads of potential [here], so much. Loads of the fellows are across the identical age, they transfer the ball, they play collectively. I’m acquainted with [Walker], Cam, Mikal from means, means again. So I’m excited to prepare with the fellows,” mentioned Bates-Diop, who in his Nets debut Saturday made his lone shot try in three minutes of motion. “I’m very excited to play with Lonnie once more. He’s tremendous energetic. He’s been my man since Day 1 in San Antonio. We had a bunch of pre-draft exercises collectively, too, so we go means again. I’m excited to be again on the market with him once more.”
However much less so concerning the sticker shock and price of residing.
“That was just like the second query I requested. I used to be like, ‘OK, I’m shifting, what’s the taxes?’ I didn’t like the reply,” Bates-Diop laughed. “However I’ll get used to it. You understand, clearly lots of people stay right here and I find it irresistible right here. And I’m at all times right here within the offseason, too. So I’m comparatively used to residing right here.”
At 6-foot-8 with a 7-3 wingspan, Bates-Diop will match the Nets’ switching scheme, one thing they’ve returned to for the reason that Jan. 5 sport in opposition to the Thunder. Bates-Diop has a minimal participant possibility for subsequent season.
“Keita brings excessive IQ, mind man that’s nonetheless getting higher. We’ll be capable to see how he can impression on each ends of the ground,” coach Jacque Vaughn mentioned. “We acquired an opportunity to play in opposition to him the primary time in Phoenix, so understanding he’s been capable of match into methods and be capable to house the ground but in addition be a conventional huge, simply because he does have a excessive IQ.”
Ben Simmons had a season-high 13 factors along with his 5 assists, three steals and two blocks. He shot 6-for-7 and went to the rim arduous.
“Feeling higher. It takes time. It’s a kind of issues the place it’s simply up and down every day. However I’m simply staying with it. The storm doesn’t final eternally,” Simmons mentioned. “I’m gonna get again to the place I used to be. So simply staying on it. And every day is a day to get higher.”
Rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama had 21 factors however made simply 7 of 16 and was held to 4 rebounds after coming in averaging double-digit boards.
“He’s particular, very distinctive,” mentioned Simmons, who guarded the Frenchman when Nic Claxton didn’t and was bodily with the rookie. “Being the primary choose, I skilled guys going at you each night time, so it’s a part of the responsibility as older gamers to push these younger guys, whether or not it’s anyone in your workforce or anyone on the other workforce. So I’m excited to see his progress, and I feel he’s gonna be nice.”
Dennis Schroder turned the fifth Web at hand out double-digit assists in his workforce debut. He joined James Harden as the one one so as to add at the very least 15 factors.
Dennis Smith Jr.’s 14 factors tied his season excessive.
On Thursday, a reporter had unintentionally tweeted that Smith had been traded by the Nets.
“I acquired [ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski] tweets as alerts on my telephone. … I see my identify pop up and I’m like, ‘Hell nah!’ ” Smith mentioned. “… My telephones blowing up. I ain’t even get no pregame nap that day. I used to be sick.”
Claxton had 21 factors, 11 rebounds and two blocks. It was his fifth 20-10 efficiency in 2023-24, tying his complete from his first 4 seasons mixed.
The Nets used a beginning 5 of Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith, Claxton, Cam Thomas and Simmons for the primary time.
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