David Muka’s Future with Brooklyn Nets
David Muka has already moved on from Brooklyn, but interestingly, he might not be completely out of their plans.
The day after Brooklyn officially signed Muka, they announced his departure. This move was necessary to make room for Kobe Bufkin on the roster.
Sources indicate that Muka is likely to join the Long Island G-League affiliate, where he previously played.
Brooklyn had prepared for this possibility, having signed Muka under a contract to facilitate a potential return.
Like every other team, Brooklyn will need to adjust to a 15-player limit for standard contracts, along with maintaining three two-way deals. Currently, they find themselves with 15 guaranteed contracts, four additional non-guaranteed deals, and two two-way player contracts.
Reports also suggest that they’ve added players Fanbo Zeng and Ricky Council IV to the mix.
Brooklyn must trim its roster before the end of training camp while also managing their salary cap to free up more space.
General Manager Sean Marks has been active, using the league’s highest cap space to offload players like Michael Porter Jr., Haywood Highsmith, and Terrance Mann, along with acquiring Bufkin.
These moves have brought in valuable future draft picks. Meanwhile, Bufkin, rated as a promising prospect, was the team’s 15th overall pick in 2023.
Atlanta, on the other hand, aimed to make room for Bufkin while Brooklyn brought in a combo guard to help meet the salary floor of $139.2 million.
This season, Muka earned $4.5 million, with the Nets holding a team option for 2026-27.
Brooklyn has about $11.5 million in cap space left. However, if they part ways with all unguaranteed contracts, they could increase that to approximately $20.15 million.
Marks is likely still on the lookout for another player to drop. Analysts suggest Muka is probably on a minimum contract.
When Brooklyn signed Muka, it was under an unguaranteed one-year deal rather than a long-term contract.
This arrangement allowed for a maximum guaranteed amount of $85,300, the highest Brooklyn could offer while ensuring Muka’s eligibility for two-way contracts and play for Long Island.
Muka has spent time in the G-League, playing 38 games last season with averages of 4.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in about 15 minutes per game.
He also had a stint with the Brooklyn squad and participated in the Las Vegas Summer League last year.
As of now, the Nets have two two-way contracts filled with Tyson Etienne and Ej Liddell, leaving one slot open, which could potentially go to Zeng, who is currently in New York.
