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The Springfield Armor on Sunday acquired Kris Joseph, the former Syracuse star and Celtic bench-warmer, from the Maine Red Claws, giving up James Mays, the D-League's leader in double-doubles. Although the Nets do not hold Joseph's rights, he will be learning the Nets system in Springfield, making him a potential call-up later in the year. Tim Bontemps of the Post broke the story.
Joseph, a 6'7: small forward, was averaging 18.2 points on 43.7 percent shooting and 5.7 rebounds for the Red Claws, the Celtics' D-League team. Joseph, 24, was taken by the Celtics at #51 in the second round last June, three spots before Toko Shengelia. He was released by Boston last month after appearing in six games where he scored seven points and grabbed five rebounds in 24 minutes.
“We are excited to have Kris Joseph join our team,” said Brooklyn Nets General Manager of Minor League Operations Milton Lee. “Kris is a player we have watched at Syracuse and with the Celtics and we think his athleticism and scoring ability should be a big boost for us."
A Canadian citizen and resident of Montreal, Joseph was named first team all-Big East last season. He averaged 13.4 points for the year. Mays, a Nets camp invite, was averaging 16.4 points and 10.6 rebounds for the Armor. Springfield has had difficulty scoring this season and had a logjam upfront. The trade will also permit the Armor to give more playing time to Dennis Horner, the former Net.
Neither player took part in Sunday afternoon's contest between the Red Claws and Armor, which Maine won, 102-100. Carleton Scott, the 6'8" small forward and Nets training camp invite, finished with 26 points, hitting on 6-of-11 from three. Also chipping in were Ben Uzoh (16 points, five assists), Paul Carter (15 points, 10 rebounds), Willie Reed (12 points, seven rebounds) and Christian Polk (10). Ramone Moore scored seven while handing out six assists.
- Nets D-League team trades Mays for Joseph: source - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
- Report: Kris Joseph traded to Nets D-League - WEEI
- Armor lose another game and All-Star forward James Mays to Maine - Jeff Thomas - Springfield Republican