If you’re paying attention to the NBA offseason, you likely witnessed some wild and crazy transactions. One former Tar Heel, Coby White, will now be the Charlotte Hornets’ starting point guard after signing a 3-year deal.
NBA free agency officially begins on Tuesday, June 30, with another UNC standout expected to ink a return to his current team.
Day’Ron Sharpe, a crucial part of North Carolina’s 2020-21 squad, intends to sign a 2-year, $20 million deal for a Brooklyn Nets reunion.
In order to make this deal happen, Brooklyn declined Sharpe’s team option so it could sign the former Tar Heel big man to a new contract. This shows the Nets, a young team with plenty of budding star power on their roster, view Sharpe a crucial part of their future.
Sharpe enjoyed his best NBA season during Brooklyn’s 2025-26 campaign, averaging career-highs of 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals across 62 games (seven starts). Sharpe’s continued emergence was a rare bright spot for the Nets, who suffered through their third-consecutive losing campaign.
Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe intends to sign a new two-year, $20 million deal to return to the franchise, sources tell ESPN. Nets declined Sharpe’s team option to do a new contract, just as they did with Josh Minott. pic.twitter.com/gNj9REx2Ix
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2026
With his expected new deal, Sharpe will team up again with former UNC standout Drake Powell, whom Brooklyn acquired via a Draft Day trade with the Atlanta Hawks in 2025. Powell played in 63 contests (24 starts) last season and now, he’ll get another full campaign with Sharpe.
During Sharpe’s lone season in Chapel Hill, which coincided with Roy Williams‘ final year as head coach, North Carolina played to an 18-11 record and NCAA Tournament appearance.
Now entering his sixth NBA season, Sharpe hopes he can led the Nets back to their first NBA Playoffs appearance in three years.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Former UNC big man intends to sign new deal with longtime NBA team
