The Nets have agreed to terms with forward Lance Thomas, the team announced ahead of Friday's media day.
SNY had previously reported that the team was in conversations with the former Knick about a role that would give him a regular roster spot
Thomas, 31, is entering his ninth NBA season, having spent the last five as a member of the Knicks. He averaged 20.7 minutes per game in 264 games with the Knicks, getting the start in 92 of them.
Thomas, a Knicks team captain, has some familiarity with Kevin Durant, having played with the big-ticket free agent acquisition in Oklahoma City.
With Thomas on board, the Nets' training camp roster now stands at 20 players, which means it is increasingly unlikely that Brooklyn will sign another former Knick, Carmelo Anthony.
Thomas was asked on Friday if he thinks his defensive versatility can help this Nets team.
"I think my versatility is an asset to any team. I love to defend other team's best players. So that's a skillset that not many guys have or want to have and it's something I've embraced and it's gotten me to this point in my career," he said. "So just going to wait until my number's called and be a professional."
Thomas addressed other topics during his chat with reporters on Friday:
On the possibility of him re-signing with the Knicks this summer: "I was always something where I was hoping it would happen. I was there for five years. It didn't. This is a business. I think nothing but the world of those guys - Steve Mills, Scott Perry, Mr. Dolan. Definitely want to thank them for the opportunity I had to represent the New York Knicks. Moving forward, I'm happy for the opportunity to still stay in New York with family and further my career."
On if he expected the Knicks to have a big summer after they cleared cap space: "I think everyone anticipated something of that nature. Me personally, I just wanted a chance to win. So anybody they brought on who could help that, that would've been awesome. I'm no longer with that franchise and it's time to move forward."
On David Fizdale: "I went through four head coaches when I was there. I think that his approach to player development and accountability and competition really set the bar for what the program will be. And a lot of the guys bought into what he said. And it was a breath of fresh air to have him as a coach while I was there. Just because of the attention to detail and how he was from the best player all the way down to last guy on the roster. I believe he will be the x-factor for that franchise."
On the Knicks' direction: "I think Steve Mills, Jim Dolan and Scott Perry - I think they're starting to drive things in the right direction. I have no doubt they'll turn that franchise around. I'm still a Knicks fan at heart. I cant help that. My family is still going to be Knicks fans regardless. If you're from the area and you're a Knicks fan, you're a Knicks fan for life. Through the good times and the bad. It's only a matter of time before they turn things around."
On his Knicks career: "It was a dream come true for me. My family is Knicks fans their whole life. The opportunity I had to wear that uniform, to play in an arena of that magnitude. I had goosebumps everyday I wore that uniform. It's always going to be something where I really regret not winning in that uniform. Just being a local kid. Every time I wore it, I wore it with pride. And as somebody who might not be from the area, they wouldn't understand how it felt every single day what it was like to wear that uniform. So I think one of my biggest regrets was not winning anything of substance in a Knicks uniform."