According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets have reportedly signed two former Indiana Pacers, wing T.J. Warren and guard Edmond Sumner, to free-agent deals.
Nets general manager Sean Marks made the moves as Booklyn’s future is uncertain in light of Kyrie Irving’s decision to opt into his player option, only to have Kevin Durant make a trade request three days later.
Warren, who missed most of the past two seasons with a stress fracture in his left foot, averaged 19.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game on 53.6 percent shooting during the 2019-20 season. A standout in the 2020 NBA Bubble, Warren notably scored a career-high 53 points on 20-for-29 shooting in a win over the 76ers. He averaged 31 points in six games in the Orlando bubble and is a career 15.5-point per game scorer.
The 28-year-old is entering his eighth NBA season after stints in Indiana and Phoenix and will play for Brooklyn on a one-year deal.
The Nets reportedly signed another ex-Pacer in Sumner. The 26-year-old missed all last season with a torn left Achilles tendon but has since fully recovered and is expected to be a part of the Nets’ backcourt rotation. Sumner averaged career-highs in points per game (7.5), assists per game (1.8), and three-point percentage (39.8) in 53 games during the 2020-21 season.
Warren could be a replacement if Durant were to be traded to another team, while Sumner provides the Nets with backcourt depth in the scenario Irving also leaves Brooklyn.
