Nets' Dariq Whitehead will use Summer League to show he's healthy again
Dariq Whitehead speaks to the media at the Nets training facility on June 23, 2023. Credit: Errol Anderson
Dariq Whitehead couldn’t help smiling after practice Tuesday. It hinted at his excitement for his NBA Summer League debut this week in Las Vegas
Whitehead had left shin surgery in January, his third surgery in under two years. Instead of reliving the pain, the second-year forward thought about how good it felt to put up shots and run in scrimmages after an injury-plagued rookie year.
“I'd say this is the first time in my career since probably high school where I'm feeling like I could get out there and be myself again and contribute the way I know I should contribute,” Whitehead said. “So just getting back and knowing that I'm not trying to rush it, making sure I'm 100% and really healthy for training camp.”
General manager Sean Marks said Monday that Whitehead won’t have any minutes restrictions. In his words, the Nets will “throw him out there” just to see how he’s healed but also give him a chance to show why the Nets drafted him in the first round.
“He hasn’t played in two years on a consistent basis, so I think we have to temper that a little bit, but at the same time, I know the young man is itching to get out there and play and get back to form.”
Injuries followed Whitehead after leaving Montverde Academy in Florida as a five-star recruit. He had foot surgery in August 2022 before his freshman year at Duke and after the season, he had another procedure ahead of the NBA Draft.
Last season, Whitehead dealt with shin splints while playing four G League games and two Nets games. Now it’s just focusing on improving instead of worrying about recovery.
“I think it's a mentality thing,” he recalled. “Coming in, rehab after rehab after rehab, once you feel like you've dealt with the first rehab and then you get hit with a second rehab. It's kind of draining to go through that process for three months, four months…and then have to do that again.”
He left Duke with a reputation for his shooting and scoring ability. The Nets could use more depth there after trading Mikal Bridges.
But as Marks noted, the team isn’t putting pressure on Whitehead . Las Vegas is merely an audition to show that he’s healthy again.
That’s enough to make Whitehead smile and find his joy with basketball again.
“It's been a tough road but like I said, I'm built for it,” Whitehead said. “I just want to make sure I come out the player I was before that, and I know I will, long as I got the right mindset”
Watford re-signs
Trendon Watford will return for a second season with the Nets after re-signing on a one-year contract, the team announced Tuesday.
The Nets initially extended Watford a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent. According to ESPN, Watson’s contract is for $2.7 million.
Watford averaged 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 63 games last season, mostly as a reserve. The Nets have also filled 14 of 15 roster spots.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
