Fred Kerber and Stefan Bondy report the Nets are looking into signing Renaldo Balkman, the defensive-oriented small forward who has twice had stints across the river, the second one ending this week when the Knicks cut him to make room for J.R. Smith.
Balkman, 6'8", was taken by the Knicks in the 2006 draft, famously just ahead of Rajon Rondo and Marcus Williams. He spent two less than memorable years in New York before being shipped in a salary dump to Denver where injuries slowed him. He came back to the Knicks in the Carmelo Anthony trade. The Nuggets demanded he be added. He played only 14 games this season. The 27-year-old has career marks of 4.0 points and 3.5 boards.
The Nets have 15 players under contract. Andre Emmett's 10-day contract runs out Wedneday, the same day Balkman clears waivers. With the Nets $2 million over the salary cap, Balkman would likely receive a vets' minimum deal.
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Balkman gets look 'forward' - Fred Kerber - New York Post