Nets could be interested in Cavaliers' big men

Steve Nash expects the Nets to be getting some outside help by Saturday, when they’re required to fill one of their two remaining roster spots. It remains to be seen if that opening will be filled with some help from their old pals, the Cavaliers.

"I guess it’s possible to sign one of our two-way guys, but I think we’re probably looking to sign somebody on a free-agent deal here," Nash said before the Nets’ game against the Thunder on Friday.

The most tantalizing (though perhaps least likely) option is Andre Drummond, who’s been linked to the Nets by at least two reports — the first one from The Ringer and the most recent from The Athletic.

With the Cavaliers acquiring center Jarrett Allen in the deal that helped bring James Harden to the Nets, it appears possible that Drummond could be on his way out. Both reports said Drummond, who has led the NBA in rebounds five years running, is seeking a buyout.

A move like that, though, could take time to come together.

In the meantime, the Nets have expressed interest in Cavs center JaVale McGee or power forward Kevin Love, according to a report by KRON, a Cleveland television station. Either could provide the size the Nets need after losing Allen, Taurean Prince and Rodions Kurucs.

The Nets also expect to get the newly signed Norvel Pelle on board for Sunday’s game against the Wizards. The 6-10 Pelle cleared the NBA’s health and safety protocols and officially was named part of the team Thursday — a modest but much-needed boost for a squad that has suffered defensively despite entering Friday on a three-game winning streak.

Pelle has played in only 24 NBA games and still is something of an unknown value for Nash and the Nets. He saw all his NBA time with the 76ers last season and was signed by the Cavaliers on an Exhibit 10 contract in the offseason.

"When you sign a guy midway through the year [who] hasn’t been playing, [you have to take into consideration] his fitness levels [and] ability to adapt quickly to the game," Nash said. "But as far as his profile, he’s a rim-protecting center who can block shots and a lob threat in and behind the defense. I think we’ll see as we go here how physically he’s able to adapt to playing in the NBA again after a little layoff and we can get him up to speed and see if he gets an opportunity."

Durant sits

Kevin Durant (injury recovery) took a seat against his old team, the Thunder, on Friday night — another chance for the Nets to manage his workload as they continue to be cautious with his surgically repaired Achilles.

Durant is "definitely involved" in deciding when he sits, Nash said. "We just look at the big picture — balancing it with the short term and kind of coming to a consensus. He played a lot of minutes last game . . . It was a decision to protect him tonight."

Durant has sat for six games in this 21-game-old season, but when he does play, the Nets continue to use him to the max. He’s averaging 36.7 minutes per game, second only to Harden, who’s averaged 41.0 minutes in his seven games with the Nets.

Keen on Green

Despite all of the big names on the roster, Jeff Green has proved to be a pivotal veteran voice in the locker room, Nash said.

"He’s been great on the court. His versatility, his experience and his skill has been really important to us," he said. "His maturity, his personality, his leadership. He’s really added a ton to our team in that respect, and I’m grateful as a coach to have somebody like that that commands respect because of his resume and experience, but also his personality."

By Laura Albanese

laura.albanese@newsday.com@AlbaneseLaura

Laura Albanese is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. She's been covering MLB since 2014 after starting at Newsday as an intern seven years earlier.