Brooklyn Nets sign forward Justin Harper after Yanick Moreira injury discovered

The Brooklyn Nets have signed 6-10 forward Justin Harper to a contract, the team announced on Friday afternoon. Harper, a 24-year-old former Cleveland Cavaliers draftee out of Richmond University, is assumed to become the 20th invitee to Nets training camp. That makes a total of 12 guaranteed contracts and seven non-or partial-guaranteed contracts heading into camp.

This is an intriguing move, as the Nets had some interest in Harper back in the 2011 NBA Draft. He was one of four names who they were rumored to have targeted.

On Harper, who played 14 games with the Orlando Magic during his rookie season:

Harper (6’10", 225) joins the Nets after spending the 2014-15 season with S.S. Felice Scandone in Italy’s Serie A. Originally selected with the 32nd pick (second round) of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Harper was dealt to the Orlando Magic on draft night. He appeared in 14 games with the Magic during his rookie season, averaging 1.4 points and 0.9 rebounds in 6.0 minutes per game. He also saw action in one postseason game. Following his rookie season, Harper competed for the D-League’s Idaho Stampede (2012-13) and Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League (2013-14) before landing in Italy. Most recently, Harper was a member of the Phoenix Suns’ entry in the 2015 Las Vegas Summer League. A four-year player at Richmond University, Harper’s collegiate career culminated in his selection to the All-Atlantic 10 First Team as a senior.

In an interview with Basketball Insiders in July, during the Orlando Summer League, Harper said he sees himself as an NBA stretch four.

Yanick Moreira, who the Nets were said to have signed to a non-guaranteed contract earlier in the week is now unlikely to be in camp.  As Mike Mazzeo reports, he's out for four-to-six weeks.

Yanick Moeira has a minor tear to a ligament in his left foot, which is going to cause him to miss 4-6 weeks and, therefore, training camp

— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) September 18, 2015

Agent Mike Lelchitski said Yanick was looking forward to competing for a roster spot with the #Nets, but needs rest/rehab. Physical revealed

— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) September 18, 2015

Tough news for @Ymoreira35, who suffered the injury in the AfroBasket Tournament last month

— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) September 18, 2015

Something similar happened last season with Hamady N'Diaye who the Nets agreed to sign, but he was discovered to have a shoulder injury, so he was disinvited from camp.

Training camp officially begins on September 29th at Duke University.

• BROOKLYN NETS SIGN JUSTIN HARPER - Brooklyn Nets
• Nets sign Justin Harper to camp deal, fill training camp roster - Devin Khapertian - The Brooklyn Game
• Justin Harper Signs With Nets - RealGM