The Brooklyn Nets could have zero salary commitments entering the 2016 offseason depending on whether Deron Williams picks up his one-year option and currently plan on targeting Kevin Durant.

Durant plays in one of the NBA's smallest markets with the Oklahoma City Thunder and ownership has appeared unwilling to spend as much money as other title contenders.

An Eastern Conference executive told Bondy he believes Durant will leave the Thunder in 2016, but that it will be difficult for him to find a teammate as elite as Russell Westbrook.

JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche may play in the 2014 FIBA World Cup for the Philippines. 

"We’re in discussion with Javale. However, he’s just found out that he needs to undergo a procedure for his shin injury. With that development, it’s prudent also to choose a backup. Blatche agreed to undergo the naturalization process. He wants to play for the Philippines," national team coach Chot Reyes said.

In Congress, Deputy Speaker Robbie Puno filed two separate bills seeking the naturalization of McGee and Blatche.

“A resolution was arrived at. The board reiterated its full support to the Gilas program. They generously cut back the season schedule by one month,” said Reyes.

“The PBA team owners have agreed to compress the season. The second and third conferences finals were reduced from best-of-seven to best-of-five. We’re also compressing the in-between conferences breaks to meet Gilas’ request,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud.

“Even the start of the 2014-15 season will be delayed to allow the team to compete in the Asian Games,” Salud added.

McGee and Blatche were teammates with the Washington Wizards.

Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce spoke before the season about joining the Brooklyn Nets as secondary options, but both have needed to increase their roles due to injury problems.

Garnett believes the change in his and Pierce's mindset attributes to the Nets' turnaround, which includes a 10-2 record in January.

“The difference in the way we’re playing is we were thinking secondary as we come in,” Garnett said. “Then Brook [gets hurt], Deron’s been beat up, and we’ve had to be primaries now. When you’re secondary, which [we were for] the first time in our careers, you take a step back. You’re not as forceful … you don’t want to step on everybody’s toes.

"We’re thinking like primaries, we’re out here trying to be aggressive. I think guys on the team are looking for us to be that. I don’t know. I guess the mindset of coming here helping versus being it, is just a difference. We’ve come out with the competitive nature that people know us to be. We’re not asking any questions and our team is looking for us to be that. To lead with that leadership, and that’s the difference.”

The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired Tyshawn Taylor and cash considerations from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for the draft rights to Edin Bavcic.

Taylor, a second round pick by the Nets in the 2012 NBA Draft, appeared in 29 games this season for the Nets and averaged 3.9 points, 1.6 assists and 0.5 steals in 11.7 minutes per game. The Kansas product holds career averages of 2.9 points, 0.9 assists and 0.4 steals in 61 career contests.

The Brooklyn Nets have acquired Marquis Teague from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Tornike Shengelia.

Teague, selected by the Bulls in the first round (29th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft, has played in 19 games this season, averaging 2.4 points, 1.5 assists and 1.0 rebound in 12.7 minutes per game. Over two seasons, the University of Kentucky product holds career averages of 2.1 points, 1.4 assists and 0.9 rebounds in 67 games played.

Over two seasons with Brooklyn, Shengelia posted career averages of 1.5 points and 1.0 rebound in 36 games.

Deron Williams has missed five games since undergoing cortisone shots and platelet-rich plasma injections in both of his ankles.

He is expected to return for Monday's road game against the New York Knicks.

"That's the plan," Williams said.

Williams is averaging 13.6 points and 6.9 assists this season.

"It'll be great, another guy who can really put pressure on the defense and make plays and help us out," Joe Johnson said of Williams' pending return. "Right now, we're really battling with one point guard, Shaun Livingston. If we get Deron back, that'll really mean a lot."

The Brooklyn Nets have agreed in principle to acquire Marquis Teague from the Chicago Bulls for Tornike Shengelia, according to sources.

The Nets also have reached a deal to send Tyshawn Taylor and cash considerations to the New Orleans Pelicans, who will send Brooklyn a conditional second round draft pick.

Teague was the 29th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft after one season at Kentucky.

Shengelia and Taylor have spent parts of the last two seasons with the Nets' D-League affiliate.

The Boston Celtics are attempting to trade Jordan Crawford, according to a report from Peter Vecsey.

The Celtics will have a crowded backcourt with the return of Rajon Rondo.

The Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors are interested in Crawford.

The Brooklyn Nets have turned around their season, winning five of their past six games to improve to 15-22. The Nets were 9-19 after a Christmas Day loss to the Chicago Bulls.

"I thought guys were trying to fit in," Jason Terry said Friday. "Instead of doing, primarily, what got you here. Once we got out of our own way, we started to understand (Jason Kidd's) philosophy, his plan, and we bought in. And we understand who we are, and that's just a team that plays with [guts] and grit. You've got as many years as we've got on this team, that's what it's all about at this age."

"I think Jason has simplified some things," Kevin Garnett said, "through the help of communicating with one another, understanding those schemes and understanding what he wants in there, I think is helping us. And then going over it, repetition, repetition. As easy as people may think it is to just have one system and then change it and have another system, it's not that easy. Especially when you're trying to create chemistry, create a flow. But for the most part, the effort has been there, on both sides of the ball."

The Brooklyn Nets have recalled forward Tornike Shengelia from the Springfield Armor of the NBA Development League.

In his most recent two-game stint with the Armor, Shengelia averaged 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.50 blocks in 25.0 minutes per game at the NBA D-League Showcase in Reno, Nevada.

In 15 games this season with the Nets, Shengelia is averaging 1.4 points and 0.9 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game.