The Brooklyn Nets have decided to convert 6'5 Combo Guard David Duke Jr to a standard contract, and bring him into the playoffs (per Brian Lewis of the New York Post).
David Duke Jr averaged 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, & 2 steals per game in The G-League on 47/32/80 splits which earned him a spot as a G-League All-Star in 2023.
In order for the Brooklyn Nets to move forward with converting Duke to a standard contract, it's at the expense of recently acquired Center Moses Brown, who is coming off of his second 10 day contract.
Brown only played 2 out of 10 games (6 total minutes) in which he was available to play in and given the Nets weren't able to bring him into the playoffs because the Knicks signed and waived him after March 1st, it was an easy decision to sign Duke to a standard contract given how well he's developed over the year.
Although the acquisition of 23 year old Moses Brown made sense, the Nets were never going to be able to bring him into the playoffs, so it seems the Nets brought him in so it could motivate sophomore Center Day'Ron Sharpe, and it has worked.
The Nets are doing what they did last year in converting now Kings Forward Kessler Edwards to a standard deal--who was also on a Two-Way deal the entire season until near playoff time.
Duke made the Nets last season as an undrafted rookie, playing in 27 total games with 7 starts in a Brooklyn Nets uniform.
This year, Duke has shown in the G-League why he belongs, being Long Island's best player and finishing 3rd in MVP voting.
The NBA Playoffs
So now, with the Nets bringing Duke into the playoffs, what can he be used for?
If Jacque Vaughn decides to play Duke, he could be slotted into the rotation to help push the pace on the offensive end with his great speed and aggressiveness on top of being very athletic and an ability to facilitate, while on the other end, is a solid defender who can play the perimeter while also being a quality rebounder.
In the future, Duke can help the Nets with his great athleticism and motor, while continuing to develop his outside shot.
This new contract gives Duke a big opportunity to prove himself and show what he's capable of to the fans and organization if able to play in this year's playoffs.
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