Nets situation toughens for Mitch Creek, but Adelaide will not be an option
As far as the NBA is concerned, the battle for opening night roster spots are about to heat up. For Mitch Creek however, opportunities with the Brooklyn Nets are seemingly drying up - for now.
According to Mike Scotto, Theo Pinson will join Alan Williams as the designated two-way contracted players on the Nets, which means the team now holds a full roster for opening night.
https://twitter.com/MikeAScotto/status/1042111685560074240
An Exhibit 10 contract holder with the Nets, Creek is essentially on a glorified training camp deal.
Brooklyn holds some options that should still remain attractive to the Aussie, should other offers not present themselves.
Bobby Marks of ESPN painted a quick run down of the Exhibit 10 situation.
A player who is signed to a contract with an Exhibit 10 will receive a bonus up to $50,000 if he signs a contract with the team's G-League affiliate upon being waived from the parent club.
However, there is a catch. A player waived by Oct. 17 must report to his G-League affiliate by Oct. 20 and remain there for at least 60 days to receive the bonus (in addition to the G League salary). Unlike last season, when a team would incur a salary-cap hit for players with partially guaranteed money who were eventually waived at the end of training camp, an NBA team will not have a cap charge for the bonus money awarded.
A player signed with an Exhibit 10 can also be converted to a two-way contract by the first day of the regular season. The bonus would then be rescinded and the two-way contract would apply.
It's important to note that the nature of Creek's contract gives him incentive to stick around in Brooklyn, one of which includes the monetary bonus Marks discussed above.
Also: players on NBA two-way deals can be waived at any time. If last season was any indication, this will happen with relative regularity. Should one of the Nets' two-way deals not pan out, it could offer Creek another chance at the NBA stage.
Not Adelaide
One option Creek will not be exploring however, will be a return to the Adelaide 36ers.
Creek shared his thoughts on his official Facebook page earlier today on the topic.
There is no water under the bridge for me, as for when you burn something, it cannot be repaired to how it once was.
Myself nor my agents have had no communications regarding a return, either verbally or in writing.
To the fans, I’m sorry but I will not be returning to Adelaide to play.
The Nets are set to open their preseason schedule on October 4, at 9:30 am AEST against the New York Knicks. This will be the beginning of a four-game schedule that also includes meetings with the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons.
Creek getting the initial two-way deal was the goal, but a strong preseason with the Nets will leave him well and truly still in the frame for an opportunity down the line.
Brooklyn Nets preseason schedule:
Oct. 4: v New York Knicks - 9:30 AEST
Oct. 9: @ Detroit Pistons - 10:00 AEST
Oct. 11: @ Toronto Raptors - 10:00 AEST
Oct. 13: @ New York Knicks - 10:30 AEST