The Long Island Nets seem poised for a strong season.
In a series of roster changes, the Brooklyn Nets finalized their moves by signing Tyrese Martin, a 6’6” wing who impressed during Summer League and preseason, to their third and final two-way contract. They also waived an injured Killian Hayes, who will rehab with Long Island. Additionally, Amari Bailey was waived, with the possibility of joining Long Island as well.
Mike Scotto broke the news about Martin, a 25-year-old from UConn, while Shams Charania reported on Hayes. Despite being only 23, Hayes was ineligible for a two-way deal due to his five years in the NBA.
The Brooklyn Nets have agreed to a two-way contract with Tyrese Martin, league sources told @hoopshype. Martin earned the two-way spot by impressing the Nets during an open training camp competition and through the preseason. pic.twitter.com/yTd0qjp5sK
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) October 19, 2024
These moves leave the Nets with a full roster of 15 standard contracts and three two-ways, suggesting that Keon Johnson and Jalen Wilson, both on partially guaranteed deals, are likely to make the Opening Night roster. Wilson, who started in Friday’s preseason game, will earn $325,000, while Johnson will receive $700,000 for making the team.
The Brooklyn Nets are waiving former No. 7 pick Killian Hayes, sources tell ESPN. Hayes will continue to rehab a hip injury and pursue an NBA deal with Nets' Long Island G League affiliate. pic.twitter.com/JGzzjCjzOO
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2024
Martin appeared in four preseason games for Brooklyn, averaging 4.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 12 minutes per game. Last season, he played for the Iowa Wolves, the G League affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging 17.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. In Summer League, he averaged 10.8 points, shooting over 40% from three-point range. Martin also had a stint with the Atlanta Hawks during the 2022-23 season, appearing in 16 games.
Joining Jaylen Martin and Cui Yongxi on two-way deals, Tyrese Martin will earn $578,500 this season. These players can move between Brooklyn and Long Island during the season, though they are limited in the number of games they can play before the team must decide whether to convert their contracts to standard deals.
Hayes’ situation is more complex. Although he can sign a G League contract, the Nets do not hold his NBA rights, leaving him free to sign with any NBA team. Hayes, a 6’5” French point guard, will continue to rehab from hip soreness in Brooklyn. The Long Island Nets’ training camp starts on October 28, and their season begins on November 8.
Drafted seventh by the Detroit Pistons in 2020, Hayes struggled during his time there, with poor shooting splits (38/28/78) but solid defense and playmaking. In 210 games with Detroit, he recorded an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.7-to-1.
Other players to watch on Long Island include Dariq Whitehead, still rehabbing from shin surgery, and big men Patrick Gardner and George Conditt IV, both near 7-footers who play for their national teams (Gardner for Egypt and Conditt for Puerto Rico). Villanova point guard Mark Armstrong and Division II player of the year KJ Jones II will also be in Long Island’s training camp.
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