Post Time, 30 Days
So, no new news this week (real news, anyway) when it comes to our Nets.
The Pre-Draft camp is this week, where anyone who is a sort-of prospect (or more) will show off their skills in lovely Orlando, FL. The Nets will have the braintrust there, and since there are 3 draft picks that are in play (remember, it's #10, 21, and 40, for those of us who believe the Nets will actually use them) and a whole damned team to rebuild (and the latest skinny is the Nets will not get Gana Diop back in a uniform, and Boki Nachbar might be as little as 50/50 to return).
The Nets also are actively shopping Marcus Williams, according to Dave D, and while the news of a potential trade or more for Carmelo Anthony is out there, it hardly makes a ton of sense (rebuild your team around Allen Iverson, and his 150,000 miles on the driveshaft? I don't think so).
With all that happy news, and a constant pounding on Richard Jefferson this off-season about what a terrible player he apparently is, do you really think the Nets can take the slow road back to health by using 3 draft picks? Even if they stash one in Europe for a year or two (and look at how well that's turned out)?
Only if you think the Nets want to be players for the 2010 free agent field, which includes LeBron James.Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, among others. And in that case, then you need to believe that the Nets will break ground this fall on the arena in Brooklyn and be playing there for the 2010 - 2011 season, which is a big stretch right now. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm sure the Nets will ultimately break ground (especially after the laser light show that Bruce Ratner and Brett Yormark put in in NYC last week), but at this point, to count on it happening when they want it to happen is probably dubious at best.
So, in that case, what do you do? Use all 3 draft picks, sign some serviceable free agents to be named to short term contracts, and play out the string with Vince Carter as the centerpiece, Devin Harris the point guard, Richard Jefferson his running mate, and 3 rookies for the 2008 - 2009 season? It seems criminal to take that approach.
More likely, the Nets will continue to try hard to move Richard Jefferson (hint: send him to the Clips for Elton Brand, and find a way to make it work by including salaries and the #10 pick of the draft) and try to reshape the roster with free agents (not much there), trades (have to get creative) and the draft (hey, the league says if you don't get rid of the pick, you have to draft somebody...).
Think they would try to package Jefferson and the #10 (and maybe #21) pick to move up in the draft? Unless they could get to #1 or #2, I don't think so. But maybe Chicago might be a willing trade partner for someone like Ben Gordon, the shooter (albeit somewhat streaky, but what shooter isn't?) the Nets so desperately need. They don't need Jefferson, but perhaps they need another high draft pick or some of the Nets roster fodder? It's a stretch, and it may take a third team, but who knows?
It's also possible the Nets make a pick at #10, then trade it like they did in the 2001 draft (that netted Jefferson and Jason Collins) after they make a pick for someone else. You never know.
In 30 days or so, we'll find out.
The playoffs continue to be exciting in my book, tough battles in both series, and no clear cut favorite despite the hurting the Lakers put into the Spurs (who, as championship timber, did a find job of getting back to basics and whipping the Lakers on Sunday night). While I wish the Nets could field a team to go that deep into the playoffs, no complaints thus far about the caliber of either series. The best 4 teams (though not the most exciting) got the the NBA Final Four. Congrats for that...
We'll check in with more rumors, thoughts and possibilities in the next day or so.
-Joe
The Pre-Draft camp is this week, where anyone who is a sort-of prospect (or more) will show off their skills in lovely Orlando, FL. The Nets will have the braintrust there, and since there are 3 draft picks that are in play (remember, it's #10, 21, and 40, for those of us who believe the Nets will actually use them) and a whole damned team to rebuild (and the latest skinny is the Nets will not get Gana Diop back in a uniform, and Boki Nachbar might be as little as 50/50 to return).
The Nets also are actively shopping Marcus Williams, according to Dave D, and while the news of a potential trade or more for Carmelo Anthony is out there, it hardly makes a ton of sense (rebuild your team around Allen Iverson, and his 150,000 miles on the driveshaft? I don't think so).
With all that happy news, and a constant pounding on Richard Jefferson this off-season about what a terrible player he apparently is, do you really think the Nets can take the slow road back to health by using 3 draft picks? Even if they stash one in Europe for a year or two (and look at how well that's turned out)?
Only if you think the Nets want to be players for the 2010 free agent field, which includes LeBron James.Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, among others. And in that case, then you need to believe that the Nets will break ground this fall on the arena in Brooklyn and be playing there for the 2010 - 2011 season, which is a big stretch right now. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm sure the Nets will ultimately break ground (especially after the laser light show that Bruce Ratner and Brett Yormark put in in NYC last week), but at this point, to count on it happening when they want it to happen is probably dubious at best.
So, in that case, what do you do? Use all 3 draft picks, sign some serviceable free agents to be named to short term contracts, and play out the string with Vince Carter as the centerpiece, Devin Harris the point guard, Richard Jefferson his running mate, and 3 rookies for the 2008 - 2009 season? It seems criminal to take that approach.
More likely, the Nets will continue to try hard to move Richard Jefferson (hint: send him to the Clips for Elton Brand, and find a way to make it work by including salaries and the #10 pick of the draft) and try to reshape the roster with free agents (not much there), trades (have to get creative) and the draft (hey, the league says if you don't get rid of the pick, you have to draft somebody...).
Think they would try to package Jefferson and the #10 (and maybe #21) pick to move up in the draft? Unless they could get to #1 or #2, I don't think so. But maybe Chicago might be a willing trade partner for someone like Ben Gordon, the shooter (albeit somewhat streaky, but what shooter isn't?) the Nets so desperately need. They don't need Jefferson, but perhaps they need another high draft pick or some of the Nets roster fodder? It's a stretch, and it may take a third team, but who knows?
It's also possible the Nets make a pick at #10, then trade it like they did in the 2001 draft (that netted Jefferson and Jason Collins) after they make a pick for someone else. You never know.
In 30 days or so, we'll find out.
The playoffs continue to be exciting in my book, tough battles in both series, and no clear cut favorite despite the hurting the Lakers put into the Spurs (who, as championship timber, did a find job of getting back to basics and whipping the Lakers on Sunday night). While I wish the Nets could field a team to go that deep into the playoffs, no complaints thus far about the caliber of either series. The best 4 teams (though not the most exciting) got the the NBA Final Four. Congrats for that...
We'll check in with more rumors, thoughts and possibilities in the next day or so.
-Joe
posted by Joe Netsfan at 10:24 PM
1 Comments:
Remember when you trade Richard Jefferson or whatever combinational picks etc. you must replace his points per game. If you can't replace his points per game plus much more productivity from the player you are getting that it makes no sense to trade him. He gives us at least 22 points per game. If he doesn't have to handle the ball too much a won't be making the turnovers.
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