Brooklyn Nets Sign Veteran Forward Luis Scola
The Brooklyn Nets added another veteran to their roster Tuesday, signing Luis Scola away from the Toronto Raptors.
The Brooklyn Nets continued adding to their roster on Tuesday, as they signed veteran forward Luis Scola, formally of the Toronto Raptors, to a one-year deal. Scola is the second player that the Nets have signed since striking out on restricted free agents Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson, who had their offer sheets matched by the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat.
Scola is the second power forward that the Nets have signed this season, as they signed Trevor Booker, formally of the Utah Jazz, to a two-year, $18 million deal earlier in free agency. The two will battle it out for minutes at the four with Thaddeus Young being traded to the Indiana Pacers prior to the 2016 NBA Draft, and opening up a ton of minutes in the front court.
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Scola averaged 8.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game for the Raptors last season, shooting 45 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from the three-point line. He could help space the floor some for the Nets, as they do not have many three-point shooting options currently on the roster.
Scola started all 76 games that he appeared in during the regular season, and nine of the 11 in the postseason, but saw his playing time drastically cut come playoff time. In the postseason, Scola’s averages dropped to 2.5 points and 1.6 rebounds in only 12.7 minutes per game.
Despite the lack of production, and advanced age, as Scola will be 36 when the season begins, head coach Kenny Atkinson is happy to have him with the Nets.
"“I’ve known Luis since my days with the Rockets, and he’s not going to talk a whole heck of a lot but he’s going to lead with his work ethic and how he gets after it,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. “I like how Luis has started to spread the floor, and he’s just the ultimate competitor, the ultimate warrior. He’s 36, but he’s been healthy his whole career because of how well he prepares and how well he takes care of himself. We’re excited about having him.”"
Scola will bring a veteran presence and leadership to a team lacking it, as he is the oldest player by seven years; the recently signed Greivis Vazquez is the second oldest at 29 years old.
It is also a clear sign at what general manager Sean Marks has set in motion as his Plan B. After missing out on high upside, younger signings in Crabbe and Johnson to long-term deals, Marks has decided to sign veterans to shorter deals to ensure the Nets retain their salary cap flexibility in years to come.
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The Nets need to find ways to add younger talent to the roster without many of their draft picks in the coming years, and overpaying for restricted free agents is one way to do that. But, the Nets saw first hand that that strategy does not always prove to be successful.