:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28990703/112004499.0.jpg)
According to Marc Stein and Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, the Brooklyn Nets are holding off on making a decision on whether or not to sign free agent center Jason Collins to a 10-day contract until after this weekend, when Glen Davis, who was bought out by the Orlando Magic, becomes available on Monday. This, of course, assumes that he clears waivers.
From ESPN:
Sources told ESPN.com that Davis is the Nets' top choice for the opening in their frontcourt rotation. But Brooklyn's attentions could shift quickly back to Collins if the Nets miss out on Davis, who is being recruited hard to join the Los Angeles Clippers by former coach Doc Rivers.
Sources say Rivers and Nets forward Kevin Garnett are going head-to-head in a recruiting battle to try to convince Davis to join their respective teams. The trio, of course, were all on the same side when the Rivers-coached Boston Celtics won the NBA title in 2008.
The Nets, according to ESPN, are expected to sign a big man next week, using the $5.2 million Disabled Player Exception (DPE) they have form losing Brook Lopez for the remainder of the season. The Nets, they note, appear to have a financial advantage over the Clippers because "Brooklyn also ranks as the only team in the league, with the blessing of Russian billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov, that seems to show zero regard for the luxury tax."
However, Stein later tweeted that the Nets may not have any financial advantage.
One clarification on Big Baby: Word is decision will come down to PT/which situation he likes best. Nets DON'T have $ edge over Clips here
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 21, 2014
Any amount Clips or Nets pay Big Baby to sign for rest of season will be subtracted from amount Orlando owes him, so Nets' DPE not an edge
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 21, 2014
And Paul Pierce told Marc J. Spears that Doc Rivers may tip the balance.
Nets Paul Pierce plans on giving ex-Celtics teammate Glen Davis a call, but added it could be "tough" to keep him from joining Doc in LA.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) February 21, 2014
Rivers confirmed to Broderick Turner of the L.A. Times that he and the Clippers are interested.
"I'm not going to say any names, but yeah. There's more than one team that wants all these guys — at least a lot of the guys. So, you have to talk to them."
As reported, the Nets worked out Collins in Los Angeles on Thursday, and as Billy King noted, he's in "good shape."
- Brooklyn Nets won't decide on Jason Collins interest until at least through Sunday - Ohm Youngmisuk & Marc Stein - ESPN
- D-Will: If Collins can help, I'm all for it - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
- Deron’s ‘all for it,’ if Nets move to sign Jason Collins - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
- Collins Would Be an Asset on the Court, the Nets Say, Not a Distraction Off It - Andrew Keh - New York Times
- Players say they're OK if Nets sign Jason Collins - Rod Boone - Newsday
- Nets: Players would welcome Jason Collins - Andy Vasquez - The Record
- Nets players in support of Jason Collins - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game
- How will the Nets fill their roster? - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game
- TrueHoop TV Live: After Dark (Video) - Devin Kharpertian - ESPN
- Clippers Coach Doc Rivers has his eyes on Glen 'Big Baby' Davis - Broderick Turner - Los Angeles Times
- Brooklyn Nets say Jason Collins would be welcome if he signs - Carl Steward - Contra Costa Times