EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Surprised to find themselves in playoff contention while dealing with a rash of injuries, the New Jersey Nets have added a lockdown defender and 3-point shooting specialist to their roster.
The Nets announced today they have signed free agent guard Keith Bogans. His contract is for the veteran’s minimum and will pay him roughly $600,000.
To make room on the roster, the Nets have waived forward Larry Owens.
“Keith will give us defensive toughness and experience,” general manager Billy King said. “He will add depth and versatility to our perimeter.”
The addition of Bogans will help make up for the absence of rookie MarShon Brooks (broken toe) and DeShawn Stevenson (knee).
Bogans, an eight-year NBA veteran, started in all 82 games for the Chicago Bulls last season, averaging 4.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17.8 minutes per game.
Originally drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 43rd overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, the University of Kentucky product began his career in Orlando before moving on to Charlotte, Houston, Orlando again, Milwaukee, San Antonio and Chicago.
The 6-foot-5 guard has played in 586 career games with averages of 6.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists. He has appeared in 34 career playoff games, with averages of 4.7 points and 2.0 rebounds. Bogans started all 16 postseason games for Chicago in 2011 and led the league in postseason 3-point shooting, hitting on 42.4 percent of his shots from behind the arc.
Owens, who signed as a free agent on Jan. 18, played in seven games with the Nets, averaging 1.9 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10.7 minutes.
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