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The big trade is a done deal. James Harden is a Net. Now comes the test: did Sean Marks do the right thing. Also, some dates to watch as Nets seek to fill the three roster spots created by the Harden trade.
—January 15 - James Harden press call via Zoom at 1 p.m. No word on whether it will be streamed.
—January 15 - First day two-way players can be traded. This applies to Chris Chiozza (and Reggie Perry.).
—January 16 - Likely debut of James Harden in a Nets uniform vs. Orlando Magic. Kyrie Irving’s return dependent on NBA review of whether he violated health and safety protocols during his personal leave.
—January 18 - Nets vs. Bucks play on TNT as part of Martin Luther King Day celebration. Will Irving be available for Harden’s national TV debut as a Net.
—January 19 - G League players and staff arrive in home markets, in the Nets case likely Brooklyn, for quarantine and medical testing. (No basketball activity).
—January 26 - G League teams head to league “single site,” aka “bubble.” Although there were rumors that the league will set up shop in College Park, Georgia, Disney World is the site.
—January 29 - G League training camp begins at “bubble.” ESPN reports NBA teams will be able to designate one “NBA Vet selection” —any player with five or more years experience— for assignment to their affiliate. This will allow NBA teams to directly recruit veteran players to their G League affiliates. Each team will have 10 roster spots.
—February 6 - Players signed in off-season can be traded. Applies to Jeff Green. Tyler Johnson cannot be traded in 2020-21 season without his permission since he was re-signed to non-Bird contract. The unofficial beginning of the trade season.
—February 8 - G League games begin at “bubble.” A total of 18 teams —17 NBA team affiliates and Team Ignite, the G League Select Team— will participate. No details yet on how many games but Charania reports teams will play 12-to-15 regular season games each.
—February 17 - Fifth anniversary of Sean Marks hiring as Nets GM. Raise a glass.
—February 23 - 10-Day contracts may now be signed.
—February 27 - All non and partially guaranteed contracts become fully guaranteed. Applies to Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
—March 3 - Players re-signed via Early or Full Bird rights can be traded.
—March 4 - End of first half of regular season.
—March 5-to 10 - All-Star Break minus the All-Star Game. Game, originally scheduled for Indianapolis. The 2024 game will now be played in Indy. How many Nets would have gone to Indy for game, skills contests?
—March 5-to-9 - G League playoffs underway in “bubble.”
—March 11 - Beginning of second half of regular season.
—March 13-to-15 - Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts, for Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan.
—March 21 - Players traded in 2020-21 season can be traded. Applies to James Harden.
—March 25 - NBA trade deadline. Usually set for 3 p.m. ET.
—April 9 - NBA playoff eligibility deadline, aka the end of buyout season. Players waived before April 9 can still qualify for playoff rosters. After this date, no such luck. Look for the Nets to hold on to at least one of their roster openings.
—May 16 - Regular season ends
—May 17-to-21 - Play-in tournament for 7-to-10 seeds. The Nos. 7 and 8 seeds need to win win once to say in playoffs; Nos. 9 and 10 need to win twice to move up.
—May 22 - First-round playoffs begin.
—June 7 - Conference semifinals begin.
—June 22 - Conference Finals begin.
—July 8-to-22 - NBA Finals with latest date for conclusion July 22.
—July 23 - Parade in Brooklyn??
—July TBA - NBA Draft. If Nets pick is higher than the Rockets, which is unlikely, Brooklyn must swap it with Houston. Nets current have two second rounders, those of the Suns and Hawks. If Pacers fall out of the playoffs, their second rounder also goes to the Nets.
—August TBA - Free agency begins. Also, first date that Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden can be extended beyond 2021-22. In each case, the players can sign a five year deal that could keep them Nets through 2025-26, essentially the rest of their careers.