On Sept. 11, the Brooklyn Nets signed 7’1″ center Jerome Jordan to a training camp contract, a league source told NetsDaily.
The former Knick last played in the NBA two years ago, appearing in 21 games and playing garbage time. Jordan spent the last two years playing overseas in the Phillipines and Italy. With Virtus Bologna of Italy, the soon-to-be 28-year-old appeared in 24 games and averaged nine points and four rebounds in 19 minutes per game.
The signing of Jordan could be an indication that the team is looking for depth behind Brook Lopez, Mason Plumlee and Kevin Garnett. Garnett is 38 years old and has one year remaining on his contract. The Big Ticket also played a career-low in minutes per game last season, with 21, and played a near career-low in games with 54 appearances.
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Lopez nearly missed the whole season after suffering a foot injury in December. Plumlee is the only player whose stock is almost certainly to rise after a promising summer. With a lot of uncertainty surrounding the frontcourt, Jordan appears to have a good shot of making Brooklyn’s opening night roster.
The Jamaica native has significant experience playing in the NBA D-League and overseas. He also has a connection to new head coach Lionel Hollins. Jordan was a Memphis Grizzlies training camp invitee, which was Hollins’ last season coaching in Memphis.
The signing of Jordan also presents Brooklyn, and general manager Billy King, with an interesting dilemma. The Nets have 15 players under contract, which may result in a player being cut from the roster. Two players have partial guarantees: Jorge Gutierrez and Cory Jefferson.
The least likely of the two to get cut is Jefferson because he cost Brooklyn $300,000 on draft night and has $75,000 in guaranteed money owed to him this season.
Gutierrez has a $25,000 guarantee owed to him if he’s still on the roster on Sept. 26. Gutierrez also battled a shoulder injury throughout the FIBA World Cup. Reliable big men are a necessity for the Nets as the team is loaded in the backcourt with the arrivals of Jarrett Jack and Markel Brown, coupled with Marquis Teague already being on the roster.
Originally drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2010 with the 44th pick, Jordan never played for the team instead opting to play one season in Europe for KK Hemofarm of Serbia. In 2011, Jordan signed with BC Krka of Slovenia before returning to the U.S. once the NBA lockout was over. The rest of Jordan’s career is encapsulated by stints in the D-League with the Erie Bayhawks, Reno Bighorns and Los Angeles D-Fenders.
Jordan showed promise in the D-League. During the 2012-13 season, he spent time with both the Bighorns and D-Fenders and was named to the All-NBA D-League Third Team. He averaged 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in 42 games.
Jordan displayed confidence in his offensive game, shooting 59 percent over the course of his D-League tenure. appearing comfortable spotting up and turning around. He can also be a solid rim protector as long as he plays with tenacity, something that he lacked playing for Tulsa. Jordan will need to prove he is worthy of a roster spot this preseason because he needs Brooklyn much more than they need him.