By R.L. Bynum
Day’Ron Sharpe appears set to stay in Brooklyn, and the former North Carolina big man could be in line for a larger role next season.
The Nets center intends to sign a new two-year, $20 million contract to return to the franchise, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday. Brooklyn declined Sharpe’s team option so the sides could work out a new deal, the same approach the Nets took with Josh Minott, according to Charania.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype also reported that same contract terms, adding that Sharpe has impressed the organization and is expected to have a bigger role this season. Scotto reported that agents Aaron Reilly and Reggie Berry of AMR Agency finalized the deal.
Sharpe has a big opportunity after the Nets dealt center Nic Claxton to Chicago in the three-team deal that brought Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick to the Nets on June 22. Sharpe will likely start, with his biggest competition for playing time at center coming from Danny Wolf and Noah Clowney.
Sharpe, a 6–10, 265-pound center from Greenville, played one season at Carolina before entering the 2021 NBA Draft, when Phoenix selected him with the 29th overall pick. His draft rights were traded to Brooklyn, where he has spent his entire NBA career.
The new deal would reward Sharpe after the most productive season of his professional career and keep him playing with former Tar Heel Drake Powell, who just finished his rookie season.
Sharpe averaged career highs of 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 60.1% from the floor in 62 games for the Nets. His production came in 18.7 minutes per game, and his efficiency and activity off the bench made him one of Brooklyn’s more encouraging young frontcourt pieces.
His best game last season was in a 125–109 Feb. 3 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, when he produced one of his five double-doubles. He collected 19 points and 14 rebounds, 10 of those boards coming on the offensive end, with five assists and three steals in just under 26 minutes.
Sharpe’s rebounding has been his most consistent NBA skill, particularly on the offensive glass, but he also has continued to grow as a passer and finisher. His improved role in Brooklyn’s offense, combined with the organization’s confidence in him, puts him in position to take on more responsibility as the Nets reshape their roster.
At Carolina, Sharpe quickly established himself as a physical, high-energy presence for Roy Williams’ final Tar Heels team. He averaged 9.5 points and 7.6 rebounds during the 2020–21 season, earning ACC All-Freshman honors before leaving for the NBA after one year.
Brooklyn’s reported commitment keeps Sharpe with the franchise that has developed him from a late first-round pick into a dependable rotation big man. If his role expands as expected, the next two seasons could give him the best opportunity yet to show that he can be more than an energy option off the bench.
For Carolina, Sharpe’s new deal adds another successful NBA step for a former Tar Heel who has steadily carved out a place in the league.
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Photo via @BrooklynNets
