#Behind Nets’ decision for signing Jamal Crawford and Michael Beasley

After signing veterans Tyler Johnson, Michael Beasley and Jamal Crawford — and presumably prospect Donta Hall — the Nets have added so many new faces they may have to put names on the practice jerseys.

“Somebody joked today if we were going to have them wearing name tags because it is a new roster,” GM Sean Marks said on a teleconference Thursday. “What’s important is to get these guys at least on the court together bonding and playing together as soon as they can. Hopefully, we’ll get this squared away in the next couple of days here.”

The decimated Nets arrived Tuesday in Orlando with just a dozen fit players. But they’re bringing in a fresh bodies, half-reinforcements and — in the case of Crawford and Beasley — half-tryouts.

“Obviously we’re in a situation where you need bodies to play. We’re fortunate to pick up two really good players in Jamal who obviously has been around this league for a long time, had an unbelievable career,” Joe Harris said. “Same thing with Beasley, too. He’s played a lot in this league and is an extremely talented player. I think they’re both just going to be able to plug in right away.”

Beasley — who is friends with Kevin Durant — passed his physical and was signed Thursday. He’s already in the team hotel in Orlando starting his six-day quarantine during which he will have to pass repeated COVID-19 tests. Johnson didn’t travel due to a personal matter, but is expected to join the team and undergo the same protocol.

Neither Beasley nor Crawford, who both played for the Knicks at one time, played in the league last season. But Crawford poured in 51 points the last time he stepped on an NBA court.

“When I was kid he was my favorite player. When I went to Michigan he reached out and we’ve been big brother/little brother ever since,” Caris LeVert said of Crawford, whom he spoke to Wednesday.

Crawford and Beasley both add scoring punch, and this is a low-risk audition for cost-effective vets to fill out the roster if the Nets bring in a pricy third star this summer to join Durant and Kyrie Irving.

“We wanted this group to know we’re here to win basketball games and to maximize this team,” interim coach Jacque Vaughn said via Zoom.

Having a Big Three means following in the footsteps of previous incarnations of the Cavaliers (Richard Jefferson) and Warriors (David West) and the current Lakers (Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo) by signing affordable vets. The Nets have the taxpayer’s exception — $18 million over three years.

“We’re always going to be evaluating players, how they fit not only with the group we have now but the group that’s expected to be part of this team next year and the year after that,” Marks said. “The evaluation process is ongoing for sure. Yes, you’re right, we’re evaluating right now for not only this year but next year’s free agency as well.”

There is a perception that evaluation may be impacted by the team’s stars. Last year Irving gave the Nets a list of players he wanted to bring to Brooklyn, and Durant’s long-standing friendship with fellow Prince George’s County (Md.) native Beasley is well-known.

“I don’t think that’s fair to call Kevin on every single scenario we do,” Marks said. “It’s probably well-documented over the course of the last few years that those two are pretty close, but that wasn’t a factor in this. We’re looking at who is available and the talent, and Mike certainly is that.”

The Nets are expected to come to deals with Hall and Justin Anderson. Hall is a 22-year-old rookie who was second-team All G-League, averaging 15.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. The 6-foot-9 power forward played four games for the Pistons, and is expected to be signed as the replacement for DeAndre Jordan and backup to Jarrett Allen.