Nets release Drew Timme and Dariq Whitehead, but there is a chance they may come back.

Nets Release Timme and Whitehead to Adjust Roster

On Monday, the Nets made the decision to waive power forward Drew Timme and guard Darik Whitehead. This move helps alleviate the current roster crunch, moving them closer to the required capacity.

This action effectively concludes the Nets’ gamble on Whitehead, a local talent from Newark. Once seen as potentially the top collegiate player in the country, his career has been hindered by a series of injuries.

Whether this is the last we’ve seen of Timme with the Nets remains to be seen. There’s a possibility he could fill the final two-way contract slot.

Whitehead’s contract was guaranteed at $3.3 million, a sum the Nets are now obligated to pay. Conversely, Timme’s contract wasn’t guaranteed.

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Nets currently sit $161,000 above the minimum salary floor. With 19 players on the roster, they must cut down to 18 by Tuesday.

Timme had signed a multi-year deal with the Nets toward the end of last season. In nine games, he averaged a notable 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds, demonstrating his skill during the Las Vegas Summer League.

However, his contract was also unsecured, a factor that played into his release after the Nets selected Danny Wolfe in the draft this June. While Wolfe doesn’t possess Timme’s impressive footwork in the post, he excels as a passer and is younger.

Interestingly, sources indicate that Timme’s potential return is still up for debate, with some suggesting it’s “undecided” whether he will occupy that final two-way position.

On the other hand, Whitehead, at just 21, faces a tough road ahead. Once considered a likely No. 22 pick in the 2023 draft, he struggled to recover from repeated injuries and multiple surgeries over the past year.

Ultimately, Monday marked the end of the line for him. His foot fracture led to a botched healing process, necessitating additional surgeries and curtailing his rookie year.

After missing the summer league to focus on strengthening his body, he never quite regained the athleticism that highlighted his time as the top recruit from Montverde Academy in Florida.

As the Nets moved forward, they had spent multiple first-round picks on a point guard and winger Drake Powell, who directly competes for the same role as Whitehead. The guard leaves the team with an average of 5.3 points over 22 games across two seasons.

Presently, the Nets need to trim their roster to 18, as they hold 17 standard deals and two two-way contracts. Jalen Wilson’s contract is partially guaranteed for $88,000, while Tyrese Martin’s remains non-guaranteed.