A league source confirmed a report that the Nets are expected to re-sign veteran guard Keith Bogans.
The 32-year-old signed with the Nets on Feb. 1, but played in only five games before suffering a torn deltoid ligament in his left ankle and breaking a bone in a gruesome fall against the Pistons a week later. Bogans later had surgery, and has been working out at the Nets facility periodically ever since. The source said that the Nets that Bogans would likely return assuming he’s fully recovered.
Assuming Bogans does sign, he will help give the Nets more veteran depth on the wings, backing up Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace at shooting guard and small forward, respectively, along with MarShon Brooks. Bogans also is a fit because of his defensive ability, as well as being a quality 3-point shooter. The Nets could use floor spacing to allow Deron Williams, Johnson and Brook Lopez more room to operate.
Bogans averaged 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in a little less than 19 minutes across those five games last season for the Nets, and has averaged 6.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 591 games across nine professional seasons with seven teams.
If Bogans does re-sign, the Nets will have 11 players under contract after making the long-expected signing of Jerry Stackhouse official yesterday. The 37-year-old told The Post last week that he’d agreed to come play for the Nets to get another chance to play for Avery Johnson. The two were together for Johnson’s entire run as the head coach in Dallas.
The Nets are still in need of a backup center, and could potentially use another true small forward to back up Wallace. They are also expected to make a decision soon on Georgian forward Tornike Shengelia, one of the team’s three second-round picks who impressed in summer league last week in Orlando.
tbontemps@nypost.com