After finalizing a blockbuster trade deal that rewarded them with veterans Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce from the Boston Celtics, the Brooklyn Nets are now rumored to be considering the hiring of free agent center Jason Collins, according to sources of Yahoo! Sports.
Collins, 34, is the NBA's first openly gay player and would be a dependable role player for the Nets to have at a valuable price of the veteran's minimum. He already has a close relationship with new Nets coach Jason Kidd, and the two have proven to be successful together after seven seasons playing with the Nets under Kidd's former coach and new assistant Lawrence Frank.
The Nets acquired Garnett and Pierce after agreeing to send three first-round picks (2014, '16 and '18) along with Kris Humphries' expiring contract, Gerald Wallace, Kris Joseph, MarShon Brooks and a sign-and-traded Keith Bogans to the Celtics for Pierce, Garnett and Jason Terry.
No trade between the teams can officially be consummated until July 10 -- when a leaguewide moratorium on signings and trades is lifted after free agency begins Monday -- but the teams made fast progress on finalizing the trade parameters.
After news of the proposed trade, Sportsbook.com dropped the Nets' odds to win the NBA title from 50-1 to 25-1.
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