Nets Contract with Blatche Not Final, Considers Heat Offer

Added by Deshawn Jelani on September 7, 2012.

The Nets are making a push to sign free agent forward Andray Blatche but the Miami Heat may be involved as well.

Power forward Andray Blatche weighs his options as he considers a non-guaranteed one year agreement from the Brooklyn Nets and a contract offer from the Miami Heat, according to sources close to the situation.

Blatche was reported to have signed a contract with the Nets Thursday afternoon when the Heat jumped in the mix with a competing offer to acquire him as well.

Blatche, a New York native, attended Syracuse and was taken in the second round of 2005 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards, where he spent his entire career.  He averages 9.9 points per game (shooting 45.7% from the field) and 5.4 rebounds per game for his career.

The Nets have been really struggling to put together a solid bench during this offseason after trading most of last years talent to the Atlanta Hawks to acquire all-star guard Joe Johnson.  Head coach Avery Johnson has been working out with Blatche since the beginning of the month and has been largely impressed by him.

Blatche was amnestied by the Wizards after a poor season last year in which he averaged career-lows in scoring and rebounding.  However, Blatche is a solid frontcourt player and would be a good addition to the Nets, who currently have no experienced big men off the bench.