Gerald Green has proven he is a keeper, and the Nets think so, too.
Green’s second 10-day contract expires Sunday, and the 6-foot-8 D-League call up will be signed through the remainder of the season.
There was talk of a deal to include next season as well but both sides want to keep their options open.
“I’ve seen a lot of players on 10-day contracts and I would say what he’s done, independent of tonight’s game, he’s been really good,” said coach Avery Johnson before the Nets’ 102-94 loss to the Hornets at Prudential Center on Saturday night. “We want him to stay in the program and hopefully it will all work out.
“We’re talking,” Johnson said of Green finalizing a veteran’s minimum deal. “Hopefully I’ll have some news, really good news for you guys on Monday as it relates to that.”
“I’ve gotten a great opportunity here,” said Green, who scored 16 points. “The Nets have really opened up the platform for me and let me play. Coach Avery gave me a chance and [general manager] Billy [King] gave me a chance.
“I’m just very blessed to be in this situation.”
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Jordan Farmar remained out with a sore right groin, his second straight game and seventh in the last 17th with the ailment. Farmar underwent a PRP (blood spinning) injection Thursday. Johnson said he is probable for Monday against Cleveland.
“I’m feeling OK, it’s a little tight right now, but they say that will subside a few days after the injection,” Farmar said. “They told me to not stretch it, leave it alone and let it start healing.”
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Kris Humphries had a monster game on the boards with 16 rebounds and came up with a highlight reel block of Lance Thomas at 2:44 of the fourth when the Nets still harbored hopes of victory.
Gerald Wallace’s athleticism was on display all game.
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Early in the first quarter, Wallace took a long lob from Deron Williams and neatly laid it in for a score. Then early in the second quarter, he produced a where-in-blazes-did-he-come-from block against Trevor Ariza, which immediately preceded a hustling scamper the other way where he saved an errant outlet, crashed to the floor and quickly recovered.
Later, he finished a terrific sequence to end the third quarter with a 3-pointer — just seconds after an equally exciting dunk by Humphries.
“He knows how to play basketball,” Johnson said. “He’s been around. … We just want him to get out and defend his position, run the floor. And we’ll keep the package small. Small menu and he’ll play starter’s minutes.”