An early piece to the master plan is now official.
The Brooklyn Nets announced on Wednesday that they have re-signed forward Gerald Wallace, who was an unrestricted free agent after he decided not to pick up his player option for the 2012-13 season. The deal is worth $40 million over four years, according to multiple reports.
The Nets originally acquired Wallace, a versatile wing known for his 2-way play, from the Portland Trail Blazers in a 2012 deadline deal.
Retaining Wallace was important because he cost Brooklyn its 2012 Draft lottery pick and because it was one of the first steps in a vast win-now plan, which also included re-signing All-Star point guard Deron Williams and agreeing to trade for Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson.
Wallace, 29, averaged 13.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game last season.
