Final audition for Springfield Armor prospects

When the Nets return from their road trip, the timing should be right for them to add a player to the roster. By calling up someone within the last 10 days of the season, the Nets can sign them for the remainder of this season and next season. They can, if they want, add a team option tied to roster cutdown day in October. That limits the Nets risk to a $50,000 payroll commitment this year while retaining the player's rights through summer league and training camp.

The Nets' D-League affiliate now has seven players with NBA experience, starting with Tyshawn Taylor and Tornike Shengelia, but also Ben Uzoh, (Nets and Raptors); Dennis Horner (Nets); Edwin Ubiles, (Wizards); Kris Joseph, (Celtics) and Dominique Jones (Mavericks). They also have the D-League Performer of the Week in Willie Reed, who is the youngest of the group at 22. Devin Kharpertian quotes a scout as calling Reed an "athletic beast" but one who "struggles with erratic play and a shaky jumper." On the D-League's "Prospect Watch," which admittedly hasn't been updated this week, Reed is listed at No. 29, Joseph at No. 4 and Uzoh at No. 24.

The Armor play again Thursday night and the Nets are following things intensely in Springfield, both to monitor Toko and Tyshawn's progress, but also to get a last look before making a decision on a call-up. Right now, the best prospects for a call-up are presumably Reed and Joseph (if they go with an Armor player rather than scouring the rest of the D-League.) While Reed has launched a #CallWillieUp campaign on Twitter, the Nets haven't committed to anyone or even making a move. Still, Milton Lee, the Armor GM with an office in East Rutherford, is trying to improve the roster, not just to get better every day but to find a solid core of hidden gems for next summer.

• Springfield Armor managing to have recent success despite constantly changing roster - Jeff Thomas - Springfield Republican
• Hmm... Should the Nets #CallWillieUp? - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game