Blatche will return to Nets in backup role

Blatche averaged 10.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in 19 minutes per game last season, his first with the Nets. (AP/Kathy Kmonicek)

NEW YORK — Andray Blatche will return as a backup in the Brooklyn Nets’ soon-to-be upgraded frontcourt.

The 6-foot-11 forward-centre has agreed to a multiyear deal with the Nets, his agent says Monday. Blatche appeared in all 82 games last season, his first with the team, averaging 10.3 points.

Blatche will provide minutes behind All-Star centre Brook Lopez and Kevin Garnett, who will come from Boston along with Paul Pierce in a deal that was agreed to on draft night, but can’t be completed until after next season’s salary cap is set.

Blatche averaged 9.9 points in seven seasons with the Washington Wizards before they waived him last summer and designated him as their amnesty player, allowing them to remove the $23 million that remained on his contract from their salary cap.

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