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The Nets added young front-court depth Wednesday, signing 23-year-old forward Tyler Cook to a 10-day contract that will pay roughly $99,000.
The 6-foot-8, 255-pounder was as effective as any unattached player in the G-League.
In eight games for Iowa this season, Cook averaged 20.8 points on 59.8 percent shooting, grabbed 9.6 boards and handed out 4.4 assists.
He was seventh in the league in scoring and tormented the Long Island Nets with 31 points.
Nic Claxton made his season debut Tuesday versus the Kings after being out with knee tendinopathy. It was his first NBA appearance since Feb. 28 of last season, and the second-year big had five points, one rebound, one assist and a block.
“Very good. He’s great — sets screens, rolls to the basket. Obviously it’s his first time out there all season,” James Harden said. “I’m happy for him to be on the court. He’s been training and trying to get in shape, get healthy and get his body right. So it felt good I’m sure for him to be on the court and actually showing the work that he’s been putting in.”
Claxton showed enough defensive versatility that he was asked to not only switch out on the perimeter but also briefly play at the top of a zone.
“He was great,” coach Steve Nash said. “Not an easy thing to do. Hasn’t played in a year or more, so to have him come out and be active and look as fluid as he did, that’s not easy, and he really helped.
“He’s got a really good future. How soon that’ll be come is yet to be seen, but he can make an impact. And if he can slowly gain experience and get in the rotation, it gives us another player for depth, with length and athleticism. So it’s great to have him back.”
The NBA released its second-half schedule, and the Nets are going to be even more ubiquitous on national TV after the All-Star break than they were before.
With 19 of their 37 first-half games airing on national TV, the Nets will see that jump to 20 of their 35 dates once they resume play.
The Nets are going to tip off TNT’s second-half coverage when it leads off a March 11 doubleheader against the visiting Celtics at 7:30 p.m.
The Nets also will be at the start of ESPN’s coverage. On March 15, ESPN’s first doubleheader in the second half features the Nets hosting the Knicks at Barclays Center at 8 p.m.
Among the other schedule highlights: Nets at Utah on March 24 on ESPN at 10 p.m., and wrapping up ABC’s regular-season slate May 2 when they play at the Bucks at 3:30 p.m.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (right hip contusion) is probable Thursday versus the Magic. Jeff Green (right shoulder contusion) and Landry Shamet (chest contusion) are questionable, and Kevin Durant (left hamstring strain) is out.
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