The Nets recently waived Tosan Evbuomwan, a two-way forward who showed promise in limited playing time last season. After playing for the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies as an undrafted rookie, the Newcastle, England native joined Brooklyn in January.
The decision to waive Tosan Evbuomwan was unexpected. Despite appearing in only 28 games last season, he performed admirably when given the opportunity, averaging 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 23.8 minutes per game, demonstrating toughness and versatility on both ends of the court.
In his fifth game with the Nets, Evbuomwan scored a career-high 22 points in a 112-111 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz. He averaged 10.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals over his final five games of the season. Overall, the 24-year-old emerged as a cost-effective talent Brooklyn could nurture into a consistent rotation player.
Although Evbuomwan appeared to have a bright future with the Nets, their extensive roster overhaul, driven by numerous draft picks and aggressive talent acquisition, led to significant turnover as they integrate a wave of young players into their rebuilding roster.
Waiving Evbuomwan was the latest move in a hectic offseason, possibly hinting at another trade, leaving the Nets with two vacant two-way contract slots to fill. Brooklyn re-signed guard Tyson Etienne to a two-way contract in July. The 25-year-old appeared in seven games as a reserve last season, averaging 7.9 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 21.6 minutes per contest.
Two-way deals are non-guaranteed and don’t impact a team’s salary cap. Several candidates are in consideration to fill Brooklyn’s remaining two slots, though much could change between now and the start of training camp.
While the Nets have not officially confirmed, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported in August that they agreed to a deal with Fanbo Zeng, a 6-11 forward regarded as a top CBA prospect. The 22-year-old averaged 14.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks with the Beijing Ducks, shooting 53% from the field and 41% from three-point range.
Zeng recently trained in Phoenix with player development coach Vaughn Compton, who described it as Zeng’s final prep before Nets training camp. Compton posted on social media, praising Zeng’s rare shooting ability for a 6-11 player. While Zeng must shine in camp to secure a roster spot, he appears to fit the profile of a modern NBA stretch forward.
Arguably facing a steeper challenge is undrafted Alabama rookie Grant Nelson, who competed for the Nets in Summer League and averaged 4.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 17.9 minutes over four games. The 6-11 forward possesses a modern skill set, known in college for his high motor and offensive versatility, though his 3-point shooting remains inconsistent and his perimeter defense needs improvement. However, his ability to impact the game in multiple ways could help him secure a niche role in the NBA.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper, a 6-7 forward recently waived by the Dallas Mavericks to accommodate Dante Exum’s signing, could also be a candidate. The 2023 first-round pick, only 23, aligns with the Nets’ rebuilding timeline despite developmental needs. Averaging just 3.5 points per game in his early career, he offers notable defensive versatility that could flourish in the right environment.
