{"id":283563,"date":"2026-07-01T13:44:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T13:44:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/283563\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T13:44:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T13:44:46","slug":"brooklyn-nets-sign-defensive-guard-to-two-year-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/283563\/","title":{"rendered":"Brooklyn Nets Sign Defensive Guard to Two-Year Contract"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t<img width=\"780\" height=\"439\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920x1080-2026-07-01T203817.845.png\" class=\"attachment-featured-image size-featured-image wp-post-image\" alt=\"Jordi Fernandez and Sean Marks, Brooklyn Nets\"   decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>NEW YORK, NEW YORK &#8211; SEPTEMBER 23: Head Coach Jordi Fernandez and General Manager Sean Marks speak to the media during Brooklyn Nets Media Day at Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center on September 23, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. OTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Evan Bernstein\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/brooklyn-nets\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Brooklyn Nets<\/a> had a rough 2025-26 NBA season, finishing with a record of 20-62.<\/p>\n<p>The Nets were quite unlucky in the draft lottery, landing the sixth overall pick. They drafted guard <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/mikel-brown\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mikel Brown Jr.<\/a> out of Louisville, but it wasn\u2019t well-received by analysts.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.ph\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/49147426\/2026-nba-draft-grades-winners-losers-sleepers-best-picks-value-reaches-all-30-teams-classes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">ESPN\u2019s Ben Golliver<\/a> gave them an overall grad of C+ for their 2026 draft picks, which also included senior forwards <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/joshua-jefferson\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joshua Jefferson<\/a> at No. 28 and <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/tyler-bilodeau\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tyler Bilodeau<\/a> at No. 43.<\/p>\n<p>Brooklyn Nets Sign Keon Ellis to 2-Year Deal<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920x1080-2026-07-01T211628.813.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6138842\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6138842\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920x1080-2026-07-01T211628.813.png\" alt=\"Keon Ellis\" width=\"780\" height=\"439\"  \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6138842\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6138842\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920x1080-2026-07-01T211628.813.png\" alt=\"Keon Ellis\" width=\"780\" height=\"439\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-6138842\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyKeon Ellis #14 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates after making a three-point shot in the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on February 07, 2026 in Sacramento, California.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/2072123180597035199\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania<\/a>, the Brooklyn Nets and <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/keon-ellis\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Keon Ellis<\/a> have agreed on a two-year, $18 million contract. The deal is expected to get signed on July 6, though there is a complication brewing that the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/\" title=\"NBA\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"321347\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NBA<\/a> might intervene.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MikeVorkunov\/status\/2072143691318227078\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">Fred Katz and Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic<\/a> revealed that Ellis has a player option for the 2027-28 season. The Nets also have a team option with an identical annual salary of $9 million.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s called a mutual option, with Charania saying that both Ellis and the Nets can both opt into the contract but not opt out.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe deal, negotiated by Mark Bartelstein and Torrian Jones of @PrioritySports , contains a full mutual option that fully guarantees the $18M for Ellis while allowing both sides to have a conversation about a new deal next summer, but either party can opt-in (not opt-out),\u201d Charania tweeted.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hoopsrumors.com\/2026\/06\/contract-details-ellis-porzingis-r-williams.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">Luke Adams of HoopsRumors<\/a> pointed out that a contract cannot contain more than one option in the same year. However, it\u2019s not exactly prohibited, so it\u2019s going to be an interesting development if the NBA removes one of the options in Ellis\u2019 contract.<\/p>\n<p>Keon Ellis\u2019 NBA Career<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920x1080-2026-07-01T211649.622.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6138846\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6138846\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920x1080-2026-07-01T211649.622.png\" alt=\"Keon Ellis\" width=\"780\" height=\"439\"  \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6138846\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6138846\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920x1080-2026-07-01T211649.622.png\" alt=\"Keon Ellis\" width=\"780\" height=\"439\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-6138846\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyKeon Ellis #23 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game at PHX Arena on March 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.<\/p>\n<p>After four years in college, including two at JUCO, Keon Ellis went undrafted in 2022 out of Alabama. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/sacramento-kings\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sacramento Kings<\/a> and earned a two-year contract as a rookie. He finally got a standard contract midway through the 2023-24 season.<\/p>\n<p>Midway through last season, the Kings traded Ellis to the <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/cleveland-cavaliers\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> as part of a three-team deal with the <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/chicago-bulls\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago Bulls<\/a>. He <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statmuse.com\/nba\/ask\/keon-ellis-kings-average\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">averaged<\/a> 6.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 steals in three and a half seasons in Sacramento.<\/p>\n<p>In 29 games in Cleveland, Ellis averaged 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals. He joins a rebuilding Brooklyn Nets franchise that have been active this offseason.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920x1080-2026-07-01T211807.630.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6138849\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6138849\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920x1080-2026-07-01T211807.630.png\" alt=\"Julius Randle\" width=\"780\" height=\"439\"  \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6138849\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6138849\" data-lazy-load=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1920x1080-2026-07-01T211807.630.png\" alt=\"Julius Randle\" width=\"780\" height=\"439\"  \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-6138849\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GettyJulius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on against the <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/san-antonio-spurs\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">San Antonio Spurs<\/a> in the second quarter in Game Six of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 15, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.<\/p>\n<p>The Nets acquired <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/julius-randle\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Julius Randle<\/a> from the <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/minnesota-timberwolves\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> as part of another three-team trade with the Bulls. They also brought back <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/dayron-sharpe\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Day\u2019Ron Sharpe<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/ziaire-williams\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ziaire Williams<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/josh-minott\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Josh Minott<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>They have been linked to free agents like <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/moritz-wagner\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Moritz Wagner<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/rui-hachimura\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rui Hachimura<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/author\/paolodavid99\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Juan Paolo David<\/a> Juan Paolo David is a sports journalist covering basketball for Heavy. He has a decade of experience writing about the NBA and WWE. He&#8217;s currently based in the Philippines.  <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/author\/paolodavid99\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">More about Juan Paolo David<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Getty NEW YORK, NEW YORK &#8211; SEPTEMBER 23: Head Coach Jordi Fernandez and General Manager Sean Marks speak&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":283564,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[98,100,99,9,24,63],"class_list":["post-283563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-brooklyn","tag-brooklyn","tag-brooklyn-headlines","tag-brooklyn-news","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/283563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=283563"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/283563\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/283564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=283563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=283563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=283563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}