The Brooklyn Nets have officially waived rookie guard Yongxi Cui, who had been on a two-way contract. The decision comes in the wake of Cui’s devastating injury – a torn ACL in his left knee – that will keep him sidelined for the rest of the season.
This marks an unfortunate turn of events for the young player, whose first year in the NBA has been cut short by the injury.
Cui, a 6-foot-5 guard, saw limited action in the NBA, appearing in just five games for the Nets and logging 10 minutes on the court. He didn’t have much opportunity to leave a mark statistically in those appearances.
However, he began to showcase his potential in a more prominent role in the G League with the Long Island Nets. Over six games, Cui averaged 5.2 points per game and demonstrated his shooting touch by converting 42.9% of his three-point attempts.
While the injury is undoubtedly a setback, his brief flashes of promise hint at a potential future in professional basketball once he recovers.
Brooklyn’s decision to waive Cui was a strategic move necessitated by recent roster changes. The Nets acquired guard Reece Beekman as part of a trade that sent veteran Dennis Schroder to the Golden State Warriors.
Beekman, a highly regarded young player, will fill one of the team’s two-way contract slots. The trade also brought guard De’Anthony Melton to Brooklyn, though Melton will be unable to contribute immediately, as he is also out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn ACL.
These roster adjustments reflect the Nets’ ongoing efforts to navigate injuries and retool their team for the remainder of the season. For Cui, the priority will now be on recovery and rehabilitation as he looks to make a strong return in the future.
Meanwhile, the Nets are turning their attention to integrating Beekman and continuing to build depth in their backcourt for the challenges ahead.
Nets Waive Yongxi Cui https://t.co/enFjqf1aFR
— RealGM (@RealGM) December 15, 2024
