Open Look: New Jersey Nets

Open Look: NEW JERSEY NETS
by Dan Waraksa Jr.

(1) Make a decision on Nenad Kristic - quickly: This guy showed real flashes of talent before going down in a crumpled heap with a blown out knee in the 26th game of the 2006 campaign – a game in which I was in attendance. When healthy, the 7-foot Kristic displays the versatility of an inside ‘post up’ repertoire and an outside game somewhat reminiscent of a poor man’s Dirk Nowitzki – lacking the 3-point range of course. He will turn 25 at the end of July and the Rod Thorn needs to decide quickly on whether or not he has a future.

(2) Trade Richard Jefferson; Build around Harris: While it is tough to part with a player coming off the best season of his career, his stock will never be higher. Rod Thorn has the ability to bring back young talent and draft picks for Jefferson and this move will help them keep their payroll low as they clear cap space for the free agent Class of 2010. The possibility has also been raised that the Nets covet a marquee player to replace the departed J. Kidd…enter Carmelo Anthony. The ‘Dream Team’ backcourt of A.I. and ‘Melo has never materialized quite like Denver’s top brass had hoped and the Nuggets are left with the prospect of trying to right a wrong. If the Nets are willing to part with their lottery pick, Jefferson and few other pieces this deal has a distinct possibility of getting done.

(3) Iron-out a Gameplan for Draft Day 2008: With 3 selections in the first 40 (2 in the top 21) the Nets have the chance to address needs or package these picks together and attempt to land a marquee player. Unless they’re going to throw the kitchen sink at the Miami Heat, the Nets are not getting Michael Beasley – the only player I see (other than D. Rose) worth going up to get. The Nets were at their best when they had a strong, defensive presence at the power forward position i.e.) Kenyon Martin - reaching the NBA Finals two years in a row. The guy that most closely resembles a K-MART in this years draft is Anthony Randolph. Randolph, a 6’ 10” SF/PF out of LSU will be a project given his lack of experience, but I think the Nets need to land him at their most likely lottery position of #10…provided they don’t deal this pick away. I’ll be watching Tuesday, May 20 to see if Jay-Z can bring the Nets some luck and lock up a Top 8 pick.

(4) FORGET BROOKLYN: With the proposed Barclays Center in Brooklyn light years behind schedule, the Nets need to face the facts and realize they will NOT be moving to Brooklyn in time for the 2009-2010 season, the 2010-2011 season or EVER. They will no doubt be in the Izod Center until their recently signed lease extension runs out at the end of 2012. Facing the public relations nightmare of a Brooklyn move gone horribly wrong, Bruce Ratner should sell the club to someone interested in keeping the team in New Jersey. The new management should look to team up with the Devils yet again and take up residence in the Prudential Center in Newark. Repairing the fractured relationship with their NJ fan base should be paramount for the Nets in the coming years as they look to return to Eastern Conference dominance.


2008 Potential Draft Picks:
Anthony Randolph (Freshman) 6’ 10” SF/PF LSU
Kosta Koufos (Freshman) 7’ 1” C/PF OSU
Wayne Ellington (Sophomore) 6’ 4” SG UNC

**Pending Nets Draft Lottery Position – A trade with Denver Nuggets is possible


2008 Potential Depth Chart:
PG Devin Harris – Marcus Williams – Darrell Armstrong
SG Vince Carter – Wayne Ellington
SF Carmelo Anthony – Bostjan Nachbar – Anthony Randolph
PF Marcus Camby – Sean Williams – Stromile Swift
C Nenad Kristic – Josh Boone