New York Post

Nets see a Good’ deal

- By BRIAN LEWIS

The Nets have had pretty good luck with their in-season free-agent signings, even the D-Leaguers and 10-day deals. They’re hoping that continues with the team reportedly on the verge of a two-year contract to keep Archie Goodwin.

Goodwin is on his second 10-day contract with the Nets, and is finalizing a deal for the rest of this season. The news was first reported by The Vertical, and confirmed by The Post.

“I think Archie has shown some really good things.” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said of Goodwin, who spent much of this season in the D-League with Greensboro. “Even in [his short stints], it’s like, ‘Man, I want to see more.’ Archie, he’s been showing good things. ... Let’s find a way to get him in.”

In the seven games the 22-yearold Goodwin has played in, he has logged a modest 87 minutes, but made the most of them. In just 11.6 minutes per game, the Nets’ second-youngest player averaged 6.6 points and 1.9 assists while getting to the rim repeatedly and hitting 57.1 percent from the floor.

Goodwin has shown inconsiste­ncies in both shooting (33.3 percent from 3-point range) and decisionma­king that led the Suns to cut him this preseason after three years, and New Orleans to waive him after appearing in just three games. But he’s also flashed the athleticis­m and the ability to drive that made him a 2013 first-round pick out of Kentucky at just 19.

“[He] has an enthusiasm for the game,’’ Atkinson said last week, “and we need his speed and athleticis­m.”

Atkinson had admitted the Nets needed to boost their speed and athleticis­m, and they have done that by acquiring youngsters Goodwin and K.J. McDaniels.

After striking gold with Sean Kilpatrick at the end of last season — plucking him out of the D-League on a 10-day contract and watching him become a reliable scorer — general manager Sean Marks has gone back to the well.

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