The Nets announced Thursday afternoon that they have agreed in principle to a contract with forward Travis Outlaw. The deal is reportedly worth $35 million over five years, fully guaranteed and provides Outlaw a flat $7 million a year.
The Nets reportedly chose Outlaw over Kyle Korver and Josh Howard and could also offer a contract to Tyrus Thomas as early as Thursday afternoon. The Bobcats would have seven days to match any Nets' offer. According to Al Iannazzone, "the Outlaw agreement could the first of multiple moves by the Nets today".
Outlaw played just 34 games for the Blazers and Clippers last season due to foot and groin injuries. He had averaged 13 points per game over the course of the previous two seasons, coming off the bench for Portland. The 6'9" Outlaw has played both small forward and power forward in his career, shooting 44.1% overall and 36.3% from deep.
"In our situation we needed a starting three and Travis had some really good years in Portland," Avery Johnson told Kerber. The Outlaw signing leaves the Nets with $25.4 million in cap space and gives them 11 players (two partially guaranteed) under contract. Chad Ford reports that the Nets intend to use all but $10 million of their original $32 million cap stash and may explore trades as well. He also suggests that the team is still choosing between Thomas or Luis Scola of the Rockets who is also a restricted free agent.
- Agent Bill Duffy: New Jersey Nets, Travis Outlaw agree to 5-year, $35M deal - ESPN New York
- Nets Get Outlaw - Al Iannazzone - In the 'Zzone
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With LeBron out of reach, Nets sign Travis Outlaw - Al Iannazzone - The Record
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Nets agree to five-year deal with Outlaw - Fred Kerber - New York Post Nets Blog
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Nets acquire Travis Outlaw - Dave D'Alessandro - Nets Blast
- Nets reach 5-year deal with Travis Outlaw - Tom Canavan - AP
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Nets bring in Outlaw, presumably give up on LeBron - Stefan Bondy - The InterNets
- The Nets' Plan B - Chad Ford - ESPN
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Nets agree to five-year, $35 million deal with Outlaw - David Aldridge - NBA.com
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NETS: Nets Agree in Principle with Free Agent Forward Outlaw - New Jersey Nets
- Nets Sign Poor Man’s LeBron - Aron Phillips - DIME
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BlazersEdge On Travis Outlaw - Sebastian Pruiti - Nets Are Scorching