Sports

Rodions Kurucs appreciates Nets’ support following arrest

Though it’s unclear how Rodions Kurucs’ legal woes will play out or whether he will face any disciplinary action from the NBA, it seems the Nets are circling the wagons and standing behind the young Latvian.

“Yeah for sure, guys reached out. They were just so supportive. I know they have family [atmosphere] here,” said Kurucs, who met with reporters Friday for the first time since allegedly assaulting his live-in girlfriend in a domestic dispute. “So I always know that they’ve got my back and they are always here for me to talk or I can trust them 100 percent.”

Kurucs answered a misdemeanor assault charge on Sept. 3 in Brooklyn criminal court, in which he didn’t enter a plea and was released without bail. He’s due back in court on Oct. 21, two days before the regular-season opener against the Timberwolves.





“I can’t tell you anything about it right now,” Kurucs said. “I’m not allowed to tell you anything about it.”

Asked if he expects to get suspended, Kurucs replied: “No, I can’t tell you anything about it because I don’t know myself what’s going to happen. We’ll see.”

Sources told The Post that Kurucs grabbed a knife and threatened to kill himself during a June 27 spat with his girlfriend, before dropping the knife to grab her by the neck, throw her on the bed and slap her.

Kurucs’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, denied the allegations following the arrest.

Kurucs ended his rookie campaign as the Nets’ starting power forward. Coach Atkinson declined to guess if he would be available to start this season.





“I can’t comment on any of that. We all understand the situation,” Atkinson said. “I just know that me and Rodi have a good relationship and we talk a lot, and it’s part of your job as a coach to be a mentor and talk through on-court problems and off-court situations. That’s about all I can say on that.”

With Kevin Durant sidelined, Kurucs — who added almost 20 pounds to last year’s 210-pound frame — is expected to vie for the starting job. But newcomer Taurean Prince was the standout of the player-led workouts in Los Angeles, and the Nets added former Knicks Henry Ellenson and Lance Thomas as well.

“That’s why you have camp, to compete and prove you’re a roster player. That’s what I’m about to do,” said Kurucs, who wore an NBA Players Association shirt during his availability Friday. “Everyone is fighting for a spot trying to prove we can play.”





While Kurucs’ fate is up in the air, newly signed Wilson Chandler has already been suspended for the first 25 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

“This has definitely affected me in a negative way, disheartening,” Chandler said. “Definitely wish I could take it back, but I can’t now, so I just try to move forward.

“I’ve talked with Kenny and Sean, those guys have been great. They’ve showed me respect. It’s a business, so they’ve got to do what’s best for the team. I definitely respect the decision they made still having me here.”

The NBA informed Spencer Dinwiddie he can’t use his contract as a digital investment vehicle, according to a New York Times report.





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