NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe is coming off arguably his best season in the NBA since coming into the league four years ago out of North Carolina. Sharpe has spent the majority of his time in Brooklyn as the backup center to starter Nic Claxton, but the former Tar Heel is not thinking about a bigger role as he heads into free-agency.
“I don’t really look at it as the starting and the bench type of thing. I just look at the minutes, I already know. So, if I have to play 18, I have to play 18. If I have to play 14, I have to play 14. If I have to play 30, I have to play 30,” Sharpe said during his exit interview on Monday. Sharpe heads into this offseason as one of the more intriguing centers on the market that could be had on a value contract, but it seems like he’s not too concerned with seeing more playing time as one of his requirements.
“I’m just ready for whatever I can get. I always just look at as (there are) people every day that want to be in my position,” Sharpe continued. “Some guys don’t even get to play. I used to be in a position where I didn’t play at all. So, I just take whatever minutes I get. I’m just grateful.”
Sharpe, 23, dealt with a left hamstring injury and right knee sprain that caused him to miss 32 games this season, but he was still able to play in 50 games, the second-most games he has played in a season so far in his career. As the backup to Claxton, Sharpe averaged 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 52.1% from the field and 75.7% from the free-throw line.
One could say that Sharpe had his his best season at the best time as he is heading into free-agency, but he will be a restricted free-agent, meaning that the Nets have a better chance of retaining him. While some of Sharpe’s teammates have spoken at length about what they are expecting heading into free-agency, Sharpe didn’t have much to say about his being a free-agent other than he would like to come back to Brooklyn.
“I’m new to this. Wherever happens, happens. I like Brooklyn so God willing, (I can come back). The Nets are expected to have by far the most cap space in the NBA this offseason so money won’t be an issue for a team that is still rebuilding. For someone like Sharpe, that means that he could come back to the only team he has ever known and could be paid handsomely at the same time.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets’ Day’Ron Sharpe has interesting mindset heading into free-agency
NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe is coming off arguably his best season in the NBA since coming into the league four years ago out of North Carolina. Sharpe has spent the majority of his time in Brooklyn as the backup center to starter Nic Claxton, but the former Tar Heel is not thinking about a bigger role as he heads into free-agency.
“I don’t really look at it as the starting and the bench type of thing. I just look at the minutes, I already know. So, if I have to play 18, I have to play 18. If I have to play 14, I have to play 14. If I have to play 30, I have to play 30,” Sharpe said during his exit interview on Monday. Sharpe heads into this offseason as one of the more intriguing centers on the market that could be had on a value contract, but it seems like he’s not too concerned with seeing more playing time as one of his requirements.
“I’m just ready for whatever I can get. I always just look at as (there are) people every day that want to be in my position,” Sharpe continued. “Some guys don’t even get to play. I used to be in a position where I didn’t play at all. So, I just take whatever minutes I get. I’m just grateful.”
Sharpe, 23, dealt with a left hamstring injury and right knee sprain that caused him to miss 32 games this season, but he was still able to play in 50 games, the second-most games he has played in a season so far in his career. As the backup to Claxton, Sharpe averaged 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 52.1% from the field and 75.7% from the free-throw line.
One could say that Sharpe had his his best season at the best time as he is heading into free-agency, but he will be a restricted free-agent, meaning that the Nets have a better chance of retaining him. While some of Sharpe’s teammates have spoken at length about what they are expecting heading into free-agency, Sharpe didn’t have much to say about his being a free-agent other than he would like to come back to Brooklyn.
“I’m new to this. Wherever happens, happens. I like Brooklyn so God willing, (I can come back). The Nets are expected to have by far the most cap space in the NBA this offseason so money won’t be an issue for a team that is still rebuilding. For someone like Sharpe, that means that he could come back to the only team he has ever known and could be paid handsomely at the same time.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets’ Day’Ron Sharpe has interesting mindset heading into free-agency
