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The New Jersey Nets have signed free agent forwards Scott Padgett and Lamond Murray, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today. As per club policy, terms of the agreements were not released.

"We are pleased to add Scott to our roster," said Thorn. "He is a proven NBA veteran who will add depth to our frontcourt rotation. Lamond will provide us with a legitimate outside scoring threat off the bench. He shot almost 44% from three last season, and his range will enhance our half-court attack."

"As far as this off-season, our main objective was to add quality depth to our team, so that our starters did not have to log as many minutes over the course of the season. We feel that we have been successful to this end. With the additions of Jeff McInnis, Marc Jackson, Linton Johnson and now Padgett and Murray, we feel that we have provided our core with the necessary depth to compete successfully in the Eastern Conference.

Padgett, a six-year NBA veteran, has career averages of 4.6 ppg and 2.8 rpg in 355 games, while shooting 42.3% from the field and 38.8% from three-point range. Padgett played in 66 games for the Houston Rockets in 2004-05, averaging 4.2 ppg and 2.8 rpg, with shooting percentages of 42.1% overall and 39.7% from long range.

Murray, a 6'7" forward who is a veteran of 10 NBA seasons, holds career averages of 11.9 ppg and 4.3 rpg, with shooting percentages of 43% from the field and 36.1% from three-point range. Last season, Murray played in 62 games with the Toronto Raptors, averaging 6.0 ppg and 2.6 rpg, while shooting 42.6% overall and 43.8% from behind the arc.