SAN DIEGO — The Nets will be held back, both figuratively and literally, heading into the preseason.
The Nets will be without at least four players heading into Tuesday's preseason tipoff against the Clippers, with three of the four sidelined with hamstring injuries.
Starting center Nick Claxton is already out with what the Nets are calling a sore hamstring.
And Claxton traveled to California with them and even missed a 36-minute scrimmage on Thursday, despite insisting they were just wary of the new $97 million man.
Meanwhile, Claxton reserve Dayron Sharpe and reserve forward Trendon Watford are permanently sidelined with hamstring issues.
They returned to their home in Brooklyn and were being evaluated by medical staff. The team will update on progress soon.
Veteran Bojan Bogdanovic joined the San Diego team, but was also ruled out for the game against the Clippers.
“We are very close to delivering the update. [on Watford and Sharpe]. But they're not here. Everyone else is here too,” Fernandez said. “Nick isn't going to play on Tuesday. But in his case, he was just feeling sore and ready to start the season.”
Bogdanovic is the only current Nets player other than Cam Thomas to average more than 20 points a season. He scored 20.2 points with Utah in 2019-20 and 21.6 points with Detroit in 2022-23.
He averaged 20.2 RBI again with the Pistons last season before being traded to the Knicks at the trade deadline.
After undergoing surgery on both his left foot and wrist in April, the 35-year-old is still limited to personal work and has not yet been cleared for contact.
“He's doing very well. We're very happy with how the process is going,” Fernandes said of Bogdanovic. “He was close to the team because I think it's very important for him to build relationships. He's working and everyone sees him around. … He started I won’t be ready.”
The Nets still have one two-way spot remaining. Fernandez declined to say whether he plans to fill that spot soon or if he will wait to see which players are removed from other teams at the end of camp.
“That’s a pretty good question. That’s probably a question for Sean. [Marks] More than me,” general manager Fernandez said. “At the same time, we obviously communicate every day and we have some players who are fighting for that spot. And we're very happy for them. But ultimately he's not going to answer that question. I say you will have to answer.”
Amari Bailey, Tyrese Martin and Killian Hayes are on Exhibit 10 contracts, meaning invitations to training camp, but Hayes is not eligible for an open two-way spot.
Fernandes was seen doing push-ups near the end of practice.
“We're just having fun. We work hard every day, but enjoy this,” Dennis Schroeder said. “Sometimes we'll have the little guys and coaches compete against each other about shooting. If we win, they have to do push-ups. If we lose, they have to do push-ups.”
