Keira Bates-Diop sees familiar faces from Phoenix after trade to Nets

Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson had to make the abrupt transition from Phoenix to Brooklyn at last year’s trade deadline.

Now it’s former teammate Keita Bates-Diop’s turn.

The Nets traded veteran Royce O’Neale to the Suns to get three second-round picks, cap relief and Bates-Diop, a 28-year-old going through the same dizzying process Bridges and Johnson did a year ago.

“I got a call from my agent at like 11, [he said] something might go through. Then it happened and it’s been a blur ever since,” Bates-Diop said before Saturday’s 123-103 victory over the Spurs at Barclays Center. “But I’m happy to be here. Very, very happy. … It’s honestly just been a blur, from when it happened to flying out here, the time change, going through essentially media day, half kind of practiced [Friday]. So honestly I’m excited for the game. That’s the only thing that’s normally easy for me.”

Bates-Diop, who scored two points in four minutes in the Nets’ win, spent last season in Phoenix, teammates with Bridges and Johnson until they were dealt for Kevin Durant at the deadline.

Before that he spent three seasons in San Antonio where he played alongside Lonnie Walker IV.

“I see a lot of potential [here], a lot. A lot of the guys are around the same age, they move the ball, they play together. I’m familiar with [Walker], Cam, Mikal from way, way back. So I’m excited to get ready with the guys,” said Bates-Diop, who in his Nets debut Saturday made his lone shot attempt in three minutes of action. “I’m very excited to play with Lonnie again. He’s super energetic. He’s been my guy since Day 1 in San Antonio. We had a bunch of pre-draft workouts together, too, so we go way back. I’m excited to be back out there with him again.”

But less so about the sticker shock and cost of living.

“That was like the second question I asked. I was like, ‘OK, I’m moving, what’s the taxes?’ I did not like the answer,” Bates-Diop laughed. “But I’ll get used to it. You know, obviously a lot of people live here and I love it here. And I’m always here in the offseason, too. So I’m relatively used to living here.”

At 6-foot-8 with a 7-3 wingspan, Bates-Diop will fit the Nets’ switching scheme, something they’ve returned to since the Jan. 5 game against the Thunder. Bates-Diop has a minimum player option for next season.

“Keita brings high IQ, intellect guy that’s still getting better. We’ll be able to see how he can impact on both ends of the floor,” coach Jacque Vaughn said. “We got a chance to play against him the first time in Phoenix, so knowing he’s been able to fit into systems and be able to space the floor but also be a traditional big, just because he does have a high IQ.”

Ben Simmons had a season-high 13 points with his five assists, three steals and two blocks. He shot 6-for-7 and went to the rim hard.

“Feeling better. It takes time. It’s one of those things where it’s just up and down each day. But I’m just staying with it. The storm doesn’t last forever,” Simmons said. “I’m gonna get back to where I was. So just staying on it. And each day is a day to get better.”

Rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama had 21 points but made just 7 of 16 and was held to four rebounds after coming in averaging double-digit boards.

“He’s special, very unique,” said Simmons, who guarded the Frenchman when Nic Claxton didn’t and was physical with the rookie. “Being the number one pick, I experienced guys going at you every night, so it’s part of the duty as older players to push those young guys, whether it’s somebody on your team or somebody on the opposite team. So I’m excited to see his growth, and I think he’s gonna be great.”

Dennis Schroder became the fifth Net to hand out double-digit assists in his team debut. He joined James Harden as the only one to add at least 15 points.

Dennis Smith Jr.’s 14 points tied his season high.

On Thursday, a reporter had accidentally tweeted that Smith had been traded by the Nets.

“I got [ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski] tweets as alerts on my phone. … I see my name pop up and I’m like, ‘Hell nah!’ ” Smith said. “… My phones blowing up. I ain’t even get no pregame nap that day. I was sick.”

Claxton had 21 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks. It was his fifth 20-10 performance in 2023-24, tying his total from his first four seasons combined.

The Nets used a starting five of Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith, Claxton, Cam Thomas and Simmons for the first time.