Brooklyn Nets interested in Samardo Samuels, Donte Greene?

It's officially rumor time, with cut-down day upon us. Hours before the 5 p.m. deadline for teams to decide whether to keep players on non- or partially guaranteed deals, there's already one rumor linking the Nets to Samardo Samuels and another, unrelated to cut-down day, linking them (again) to Donte Greene.

As teams start cutting players without fully guaranteed deals, Nets officials will be checking the waiver wire all day Monday to see if any fit into the team's plans, either as a 10-day contract or as vets minimum deal for the rest of the season. The Nets, of course, have their own non-guaranteed deal in Andray Blatche. No one expects him to be waived.

So far, the pickings are slim. They include: Samardo, cut by the Cavaliers; Kris Joseph and Jarvis Varnado cut by the Celtics, Chris Douglas-Roberts cut by the Mavericks, Sam Young cut by the Pacers, Lazar Hayward, cut by the Timberwolves and Maalik Wayns cut by the 76ers. Some, like Wayns, could be waived and then immediately signed to two consecutive 10-days, giving the teams more time to monitor them.

Sam Amico of FOX Sports reports "both the Brooklyn Nets and Oklahoma City Thunder are among the teams that may be interested", quoting league sources. Samuels went to high school at St. Benedict's Prep in Newark and Louisville. As an undrafted rookie two years ago, he started 10 games and averaged 7.8 and 4.3 in 37 games.

That the Nets might be interested in a power forward seems odd considering that in addition to Kris Humphries and Reggie Evans, who've started at the position this year, both Andray Blatche and Mirza Teletovic saw minutes at the 4 over the weekend and played well. Gerald Wallace has also started at power forward.

Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld writes that Greene, who the Nets invited to training camp before he broke his ankle in August, is scheduling workouts for interested teams now that he's healthy. Kennedy reports...

On January 11, Greene will begin working out for teams, according to sources. The Brooklyn Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets have all expressed interest in Greene and discussed potential workout dates with the unrestricted free agent.

• Samuels waived by Cavs, draws interest - Sam Amico - FOX Sports
• Would Samardo Samuels Be A Good Option For Nets? - Moke Hamilton & John Paolantonio - SNY Nets
• Donte Greene Ready to Resume Career - Alex Kennedy - HoopsWorld