Nets ink Mike James to second 10-day ending two games shy of postseason

The Nets announced the signing of Mike James to a second 10-day contract Monday.

James, whose first 10-day contract expired Sunday, has served a valuable role for Brooklyn in their depleted backcourt with a low-risk, high-reward opportunity. At the time of his inital signing on April 23, James Harden, Spencer Dinwiddie, Tyler Johnson and Chris Chiozza were out with injuries. Since then, only TJ has returned. James has played in six games for the Nets posting averages of 6.2 points, 3.7 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per contest.

James had his best game statistically against the Blazers on Friday night in Brooklyn, scoring 15 points and handing out three assists. On Sunday, he didn’t get much burn, playing five minutes and going scoreless.

James also had a splash of controversy during his 10-day. CSKA Moscow head coach Dimitris Itoudis, who suspended James after an altercation in March — thus permitting the Nets to sign him, criticized James (but not by name) following a big CSKA win, suggesting he forced his way out. James remains under contract with CSKA and will reportedly return to Moscow next season to complete the remaining two years of his three-year deal.

His second 10-day contract will run until May 13 and will cover the next five games for the Nets. However, the deal will would leave him two games short of completing the regular season which ends May 16. If Brooklyn wants to keep the 6’1” guard for the playoffs, it will need to convert him to a standard deal before season’s end. The playoffs begin May 22.

• BROOKLYN NETS SIGN MIKE JAMES TO SECOND 10-DAY CONTRACT - Brooklyn Nets
• Mike James signed second 10-day contract with the Nets - Eurohoops