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Nets sign Rodions Kurucs to four-year deal reportedly worth $6.6 million

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Brooklyn Nets

The Nets have signed Rodions Kurucs, the 40th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released but reports out of Europe suggest the deal is for four years and $7 million, with the first three years guaranteed. Bobby Marks says it’s a little less $6.6 million.

Kurucs’ agent, Arturs Kalnitis, confirmed the details in a tweet.

That’s close to end-of-first-round money. Under the CBA, the Nets were not required to provide Kurucs with a guaranteed deal or money beyond a rookie minimum.

In an interview with the Nets official site, Kurucs said the Las Vegas Summer League was his first exposure to the NBA.

“It was a crazy, crazy experience for me as I sat down,” said Kurucs. “First time I’ve seen it in my life, American basketball, what it’s about. It’s fast, physical. I like that. I’m really excited to play next season.

“It’s a good feeling to be here, with all these guys. I’m enjoying it every day.”

And in his Tuesday press conference, Sean Marks spoke about how even though Kurucs didn’t play in Vegas because of his then unresolved buyout, he got something out of the experience.

“These guys are coming from a whole different world to come into the NBA, Brooklyn and then thrown into Vegas on top of all that,” said Marks. “It’s great for them to be around our coaches and get some of the expectations set out.”

Kurucs (6’9”, 220) is a forward from Cesis, Latvia. He played the past three seasons for FC Barcelona II of Spanish LEB Gold in the Spanish junior league.

In 2017-18, the 20-year-old appeared in 16 games, averaging 10.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 20.8 minutes per game. Kurucs has also had stints with FC Barcelona in both ACB and Euroleague competition. He began his professional career with VEF Riga in his native Latvia.

Barcelona, aware of his NBA ambitions, decided they would rather focus their development on other prospects and gave him little time on the senior team.

Kurucs has represented Latvia in international competition as well, being selected to the All-Tournament team after leading Latvia to the final of the FIBA U16 European Championship in 2014.

In another move Monday, Dante Cunningham signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Spurs. Cunningham, 31, joined the Nets from the Pelicans in a mid-season trade for Rashad Vaughn, playing primarily at the 4. The 6’8” forward played 73 games last season with the Nets and Pelicans, averaging 5.7 points and 4.1 rebounds a night.

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