Nets bringing in Keon Ellis on $18 million contract

Ellis will provide defense, energy, and toughness for Brooklyn. He can also hit outside shots, although his three-point percentage dipped a bit this season to 36.1%.

In 29 games for the Cavaliers, he averaged 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 24.8 minutes off the bench.

Cleveland acquired the 26-year-old guard in a midseason trade with Sacramento, envisioning him as a key piece for the playoffs. The Cavaliers, however, barely used Ellis in the playoffs, playing only 7.4 minutes. He could have been utilized to defend Jalen Brunson in the conference finals against the New York Knicks.

Ellis has an opportunity to get heavy minutes on the Nets. While he would likely come off the bench, he could see a big role as a primary defender, especially since Mikel Brown Jr. and Egor Demin are not really known as good stoppers. Ellis even has a chance to start.

Brooklyn has quietly built an improved roster compared to last season, re-signing Day’Ron Sharpe and Josh Minott and drafting Brown, Isaiah Evans and Tyler Bilodeau.

The Nets are probably not yet done in free agency, as they are also being linked to Rui Hachimura and Mitchell Robinson.