EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov said Thursday that he is "thrilled" with the way his team has been put together in free agency.
"My congratulations and appreciation go out to general manager Billy King, assistant general manager Bobby Marks and head coach Avery Johnson for their tenacity, nerve and heart throughout this process," Prokhorov said in a statement released by the club. "With the re-signing of Deron Williams and the trade for Joe Johnson, we go into our new home led by an All-Star backcourt and with every hope of a great season for the Brooklyn Nets. I can't wait until opening night."
The Nets haven't been to the playoffs since the 2006-07 season and have a combined record of 58-172 the past three seasons. But they're moving to the $1 billion Barclays Center next season, and Prokhorov gave King and Marks the ability to spend seemingly endless amounts of money in free agency to improve the roster.
Williams (five years, $98 million), Johnson (four years, $89 million), Gerald Wallace (four years, $40 million) and Brook Lopez (four years, $60 million) will be paid approximately $287 million combined if they remain with the club through the duration of their contracts.
King and Marks also brought in Reggie Evans (three years, $5 million) via a sign-and-trade deal and added Bosnian stretch forward Mirza Teletovic (three years, $9 million).
The Nets also have a pending one-year deal with Jerry Stackhouse (one year, $1.3 million), sources told ESPN.com's Chad Ford.
The Nets currently have eight players under contract, including MarShon Brooks and second-round pick Tyshawn Taylor.
After several weeks of back-and-forth discussions, the Nets failed to land Dwight Howard via a blockbuster trade with the Orlando Magic but still feel they have a playoff-caliber roster.
"I will do anything to play for a winner. I made big money in Europe, too. But I wanted to come to a team that could do big things," Teletovic said when asked why he chose to play for the Nets.
Mike Mazzeo is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com.
