Greivis Vasquez, who was signed to be Jeremy Lin’s backup but was bought out in the wake of ankle woes, told Hoopshype he had a second surgery in November and hopes to come back and play for Brooklyn next season.
“The last two years, I played 23 or 24 games with a badly atrophied ankle,’’ Vasquez said. “They cut a bit of the tibia to create space in that area. It is called distraction surgery. I was given PRP [platelet rich plasma] injections to help regenerate cartilage and heal the bone faster. My ankle now has the biomechanics of a normal ankle. This gives me hope I can get back better.”
It paints a clear — and painful — picture of what many view as the most glaring misstep for Nets general manager Sean Marks. Hours after seeing his offer sheet to Heat combo guard Tyler Johnson matched, Marks gave Vasquez — who had ankle surgery last season in Milwaukee — a one-year, $4.3 million deal.
But Vasquez was still hobbled enough last summer that he and the Nets agreed that he should pull out of the Rio Olympics. At that point, he told his fans back in Venezuela that he’d been in pain for 18 months. He came back and tried to play at the start of the season, but lasted just 38 minutes before being bought out.
Vasquez praised the way the Nets treated him, saying they’ve offered to let him come to Brooklyn in April or May and that he’d love to return.
“The Nets supported me big time. They were very professional, very ethical and responsible regarding my situation. Actually, I’d like to go back to Brooklyn and play for them. We’ll see how things work out. I have a lot of respect for them,’’ said Vasquez, who praised Marks and kept in touch with the staff.
“Yes, I talk a lot with all of them. Especially with assistant Adam Harrington. I’m also in touch with coach Kenny Atkinson via texting. He left the door open for me. He offered me to come back in April or May to work with them. I told him that I accepted his offer, and I will work with them with no strings attached.”
Lin (strained left hamstring) and forward Quincy Acy (sprained left ankle) are both out Friday.
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