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Mike Scotto of Sheridan Hoops reports that the Nets will not extend Sergey Karasev's contract for a fourth year. Scotto tweeted out the news on Sunday night. The Nets had until Monday afternoon to make a decision.
Brooklyn Nets will NOT pick up Sergey Karasev's $2.5 million team option for the 2016-17 season, league sources tell Sheridan Hoops.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) November 2, 2015
The news was hardly surprising. Karasev, a 6'7" swingman, has been stuck at the end of the bench the first three games of the season, only playing mop-up minutes in the loss to the Spurs ... despite his shooting skills.
He will continue to play for the Nets, but it they wanted to retain him after this year, there are limits, Bobby Marks points out.
Since option is declined, the max BKN or another team if traded to can offer Karasev next year would be $2.4. https://t.co/kwUERXsIwQ
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 2, 2015
Karasev started 16 games for the Nets last season before suffering a fractured kneecap and torn meniscus in March. He promised a "new Sergey" this season but the swingman position is deeper than it was last season ... and his defense left a lot to be desired.
The decision has to be disappointing for the Nets' Russian ownership. The Nets demanded that Karasev be included in the 2014 trade that brought Jarrett Jack from Cleveland to Brooklyn. He's viewed as Russia's best young player, having won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics, where was the youngest player in the mens' basketball competition at 18.