Kyle Singler worked out for the Nets today and may be an option when the Nets select in the NBA DraftAfter today’s workout at the PNY Center, the Nets’ practice facility in East Rutherford, Kyle Singler and Nets general manager Billy King stopped for a courtside chat — one former Duke star to another. The two knew each other passingly but took time to catch up and talk about their alma mater.
“We were just talking about Duke days and when he went to school and how things are now,” Singler said. “It’s always fun to talk to former players.
“I’ve only met him a couple of times but it’s like we’ve known each other for a while.”
King never selected a former Blue Devil in his eight years as the Philadelphia 76ers GM, but in his first year running the draft for the Nets, there certainly would be room for Singler on the roster.
Singler played both forward positions in college, mainly skewing to small forward. At 6-9, he may be asked to play power forward in the NBA. The feedback he has received from teams is that they see him as a wing player, but he knows that could change.
“As of right now I see myself being a perimeter player in the NBA,” Singler said. “But over my career and as I put on strength, I can see myself being a three-four player.”
With starting power forward Kris Humphries soon to be a free agent, and Travis Outlaw and Stephen Graham (team option yet to be picked up) making an ineffectual combination at small forward, Singler could be a fit for the Nets.
In addition to Singler, King and coach Avery Johnson watched Jimmy Butler (Marquette), Darius Morris (Michigan), Chandler Parsons (Florida), E’Twaun Moore (Purdue), and Norris Cole (Cleveland State) work out. Singler, Butler and Morris are considered to be late to fringe first-round picks and could be options for the Nets with their 27th and 36th overall selections. Morris, however, suffered what King called a “back issue” that hampered him in the workout.
Tomorrow they will work out Josh Selby (Kansas), Nolan Smith (Duke), Marshon Brooks (Providence), Justin Harper (Richmond) and Nikola Vucevic (USC). All five may be first-round picks.
“I think it’s timing, scheduling, getting guys in,” King said of the groups of players the team works out. “A lot of these guys are coming from Philadelphia and going to New York. A lot of it is just scheduling. You try to group guys together size-wise so they can go head to head.”
Though Selby and Brooks are projected to be out of the Nets’ reach at their current slot, it doesn’t meant the Nets would be averse to moving up.
“Obviously their agent must realize that we have a shot,” King said. “And you never know, we may do something, too. You never know.”
Mike Vorkunov: mvorkunov@starledger.com