Off-Season Mock: New Jersey Nets
If any team is going to make a run like the Celtics in the offseason, the Nets are it. If they want to build around Vince Carter (who came alive after the Kidd deal), they have some great trade assets in Devin Harris, Richard Jefferson, the #10 pick along with Marcus & Sean Williams and the right to Nenad Krstic (who is a free agent).
1. Sort Out The Roster
Of course, the question remains: is a maxed out, 31 year old Vince Carter, who has some history with injuries, the guy you want to build around? That is the decision new GM Kiki Vandewegh has to figure out before he can do anything. I think Richard Jefferson is overpaid but his contract isn't bad. Devin Harris looks like he could turn out to be a bit of a bargain. That being said, if you are building around Carter, would you move Harris for a more veteran PG like Chauncey Billups or Baron Davis? Stromile Swift and Trenton Hassell are both expiring contracts (Hassell has a team option on his final year) so they are immediately on the block, as is Marcus Williams who seems like the odd man out after the Harris/Kidd deal. Sean Williams had a solid rookie campaign but is he going to be consistent enough to be a starter? Hell, even Josh Boone looked servicable at the end of the year. And what to do with Krstic? He's one of those guys that could get an ungodly offer from a team but if the Nets can retain him for a reasonable amount, you'd be best served to sign him up.
2. The Draft
Odds are that this pick along with at least a couple of Nets are headed somewhere else on draft day but if the Nets keep the pick, their most likely target is DeAndre Jordan. Jordan definitely has bust potential but the Nets are solid at pretty much every position so they can risk taking a flyer on Jordan.
Another reason they can take the flyer on Jordan is that they also have the #21 pick, where they should be able to grab a talented player like Mareese Speights, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Roy Hibbert, or Bill Walker.
3. Trade Market
If the Nets can get Carmelo Anthony, you make the deal. I'd make pretty much everything on the roster available for Anthony. I still don't get why Denver is trying to trade him but if I'm Kiki Vandewegh, I don't care. Personally, I think the deal that makes more sense for the Nuggets would be an Iverson trade. Something along the lines of Devin Harris and #10 (alongside expiring contracts like Trenton Hassell and Stromile Swift) is more than enough to make the deal work. It gives Denver a better point guard and even the fodder like Hassell helps out defensively. You might even be able to make that deal with just Harris and the #21.
The Nets also could make a move of Richard Jefferson (plus salaries to make it match, including perhaps Marcus Williams) for Ron Artest and Brad Miller. I think Artest is someone they definitely look at as a defensive stopper alongside Carter and Iverson. Brad Miller's game is definitely declining but if he's the 4th or 5th option, I think he could be a solid addition. Another person I'd target is Stephen Jackson who might be on his way out if the Warriors decide to clear cap room and go young this offseason. Yes, the implosion risk with an Iverson/Carter/SJax or Artest lineup is high but I also think those are the kind of guys that will put everything on the line to get a ring (which should help balance out Vince's questionable desire)
But those are just two of many deals the Nets could make (and those could be worst case scenario deals with the Nets overpaying in both). if there's one GM I'd want to be this off-season, it's Kiki Vandewegh who should be in a great position to improve his team and make a legit run at the NBA Finals. There's no way that this team should be in the playoffs next season and I think it will be an absolute disappointment if they don't have home court for at least one round. They can make a play for almost every top available veteran (Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Baron Davis, Gilbert Arenas, Ron Artest) and should be able to walk out of the off-season with at least two top level new players.
4. Free Agency
If the Nets make the right moves, they should be the #1 destination for free agents. Veterans will be taking paycuts to play there.
5. Summary
Starters: Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Ron Artest, Sean Williams, Brad Miller
Bench: Nenad Krstic, Jason Williams, Josh Boone, James Posey, Eddie House, Penny Hardaway, Brian Skinner, Devin Brown.
