KMart

Do we really want KMart to come back?

I mean, Champy and I led the pity party around here when he was shipped out to Denver, because the dumb-ass Ratner didn't want to spend money on the team.

Turns out Rod Thorn was right, and we were wrong.

Whether or not he could see Kenyon's physical decline coming I couldn't say, but he's still working on coming back from microfracture surgery, and he's been out of the lineup more than he's been in it.

Of course, the blowup with George Karl doesn't scare me, no one gets along with George Karl (I doubt even he gets along with himself).

But back to basics - the Nets need an intimidating , athletic forward on the front line, someone to play defense, score some points, and run the win with Kidd and RJ. That's KMart to a tee - no wonder they made it to 2 Finals.

But if he comes back, he comes back with tons of salary and some baggage (nothing that couldn't be forgiven), along with Jason Kidd to keep him in line and drive him toward success.

But is Bad Ass Yellow Boy good for the club at this moment in time?

Hard to say, really, but he'd automatically be an upgrade at the position. So, if it works out, so be it. If not, I understand.

But what a weird world this would be if Denver buys out his contract and he returns to NJ.

Gotta like the karma that would bring.

But spend as much time dreaming about it as you do a trade for Kevin Garnett. Neither is likely to happen.

What will Rod do? We'll be waiting to see if this summer plays out better than last....

What Next?

Ah, the off-season. A time for some rest, and some reflection. And less basketball for a few months. It's always difficult to be a junkie.

So, what exactly comes next for the Nets? The draft is June 26, but let's be real - the Nets aren't going to draft anyone in their slots (2 picks - 22 and 23) who will come in an make an immediate impact. They could draft for now, for the future, or trade one or both picks. Since Thorn knows he needs to retool, expect some movement on the pick. Is there another Richard Jefferson in the making?

The bench needs to be blown up. That's pretty damned obvious. Who will stay, and who will go?

Cliff Robinson's a goner. Can't see Ratner signing off on him, even with a reduced price. That "joint" decision that L. Frank spoke of earlier this week will certainly come to that.

Jacque Vaughn's a free agent, he'd be a great 3rd point guard/defender, but Kidd's minutes continue to be sky-high and he needs at least 18 - 20 minutes of rest per game, somehow. Vaughn running the offense for that long isn't a pretty sight.

Antoine Wright needs to step it up, and as Dave D. said, find a jumper in the off-season. Since he's a first rounder, he'll get every chance to make the rotation next year.

Scott Padgett? Why he said he'd be interesting in staying if he got some assurances on playing time is beyone me. Unless the leopard Frank is going to change his spots, he'll never get much if any PT.

Same goes for Lamond Murray, who's also a free agent. Don't expect we'll see him back.

Zoran Planinic - since they picked up his option at the beginning of this season for next season, it's either play him or trade him. He'll never be a point guard, at least not one Frank trusts, and he'll probably never defend like he needs to. So where does that leave him?

Bostjan Nachbar? He's signed for next year - someone has to take a long look at him, but as Dave D. said earlier this year, after three years you're pretty much the player you're going to be...

All of this hinges on spending some money to upgrade talent. The Nets are at the salary cap limit, but Ratner seems to be ok spending some cash to make an upgrade or two.

Major needs: a physical forward who can block shots and score down low, a better back up point guard, someone to run the floor in transition, and maybe another shooter. Deepen the bench, at any cost, with players that Frank will play and will contribute defensively.

That's a tall order.

Next time around, we'll look at who's expected to be out there in free agency, and maybe start talking draft and trades.