Nets Sign Bogdanovic, Jefferson, and Brown

The Brooklyn Nets were a busy team the last two days, announcing they have officially inked three players to contracts: Croatian swingman Bojan Bogdanovic, second-round pick Markel Brown and fellow second-rounder Cory Jefferson.

Bogdanovic, whose rights the Nets had acquired in a draft night trade all the way back in 2011 from the Miami Heat, had initially agreed to a contract all the way back on July 7, but they could not officially sign him due to NBA rules. It is unknown why he did not sign on July 10, the first day players were allowed to sign, and waited until July 22, but whatever the issue was, it’s now a non-factor as Bogdanovic is officially a Net.

"Having drafted Bojan in 2011, it is rewarding to finally welcome him to the Nets," general manager Billy King said in a team statement, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. "We obviously have a high regard for his game, and we are glad he will now bring that talent to Brooklyn." 

Bogdanovic spent the last three seasons with the Turkish team Fenerbahçe Ülker, averaging 14.7 points per game on 54% from the field and 36% from deep over the three seasons. His contract will be for three years and will be worth $10.3 million, or the mini-mid level exception available to the Nets as a capped-out team. He is projected to be a key cog off the bench for this Nets team, especially after they decided to let Paul Pierce leave for Washington.

Also, the Nets announced this morning that they signed both Markel Brown and Cory Jefferson to multi-year contracts.

The #Nets have signed guard @iMarkelBrown22 and forward @CoryJay34 to multi-year contracts, GM @bkdefend announced: http://t.co/5PXxOOzT3T
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) July 23, 2014

Brown was chosen 44th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who traded his rights to the Nets for a reported $1.1 million. Brown played all four seasons at Oklahoma State University, averaging 17.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in his senior season. Brown is expected to play shooting guard for the Nets, behind projected starter Jarrett Jack and backup Alan Anderson

Jefferson was selected with the last pick in the same draft out of Baylor University. The 23-year old played all four seasons at Baylor, averaging 13.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in his senior season. Jefferson had posted a picture on his Instagram of himself signing a contract before the official announcement (with the appropriate #BrooklynNet hashtag), and NetsDaily had it first, confirming that the signing was official. Jefferson is expected to get minimal playing time as a rookie, as he is projected as the fifth big man, behind Brook Lopez, Kevin Garnett (who is expected to return for another season), Mason Plumlee, and Mirza Teletovic.

*Bogdanovic's stats via here
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