The Nets cut Drew Timme and Dariq Whitehead — although they could still return

The Nets waived power forward Drew Timm and guard Darick Whitehead on Monday, easing their roster crunch and nearing their limit.

The move ended the Nets’ gamble on Newark native Whitehead, an injury-plagued prospect who was arguably the best schoolboy talent in the country just three years ago.

It remains to be seen if this ends Timme’s tenure as a gridiron, and he remains eligible for the final two-way open spot.

Whitehead was on a $3.3 million guaranteed deal — which the Nets must pay — although Timme’s deal was not guaranteed.

It leaves the Nets $161,000 over the salary cap according to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks, though they now have 19 players and still have to get down to 18 by Tuesday.

Timmy signed a multi-year contract with the Nets toward the end of last season, where he surprisingly averaged 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds in nine games, then backed that up with an impressive performance in the Las Vegas Summer League.

But the deal was not guaranteed, and he was let go When Danny Wolf fell to the Nets at the end of the first round in June’s draft.

Although Wolf doesn’t have the post move set of Timme, he is light years better as a passer and four years younger.

However, it is still possible that 25-year-old Timme will return, with a source describing it as “undetermined” whether the Texan will qualify for the final spot against the Nets.

Despite being just 21 years old, Whitehead’s prospects look dim.

Originally viewed as a viable gamble with the 22nd overall pick in 2023, Whitehead has never been able to fully overcome a series of injuries and three surgeries: August 2022, June 23, and January 24.

He was on borrowed time that finally ran out on Monday.

A foot fracture led to surgery on Whitehead’s right fifth metatarsal at Duke, and after it didn’t heal properly, he needed a second procedure with a bone graft.

Finally, a stress reaction in his left leg led to surgery to end his rookie campaign.

Whitehead skipped summer league to work on his body, but he was never able to fully regain the explosiveness that made him the top-rated high school recruit out of Montverde (Fla.) Academy by Rivals.

After the Nets spent three first-round picks on point guards and a fourth player in wing Drake Powell — a direct positional contender — Whitehead finished his Nets career having averaged 5.3 points in 22 games over two seasons.

The Nets still have to cut back to 18 players — 15 record trades and three two-way deals — and now have 17 record trades and two two-way.

Jalen Wilson is partially guaranteed at $88,000, while Tyrese Martin is non-guaranteed.

They are the logical choice for the latest record deal, with Fanbo Zeng in Figure 10.