Boozer/Wesley Johnson package deal to Nets?

[JordansBulls]

http://www.espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/po ... al-to-nets

Increasingly loud hints that the New Jersey Nets intend to select Syracuse small forward Wesley Johnson with the third overall pick were initially dismissed as a potential smokescreen New Jersey orchestrated to convince Minnesota – which likes Johnson at No. 4 – to surrender an asset to the Nets for the right to trade up to No. 3.

Not so any longer.

A new theory circulating pegs Johnson as one of the first dominos in the free-agent frenzy that will officially commence July 1.

Multiple teams have passed along their belief to ESPN.com that the Nets have serious interest in Johnson at No. 3 largely because they believe it will help them land Utah’s Carlos Boozer in free agency.

New Jersey’s main position of emphasis once the free-agent market opens July 1 is power forward, with the Nets possessing an estimated $27 million in salary-cap space and with Brook Lopez and Devin Harris entrenched at center and point guard.

The connection between Johnson and Boozer? They're both represented by the same agent: Rob Pelinka.

The selection of Johnson would be a strong tip-off, sources say, that New Jersey will be chasing Boozer hardest when free agency commences, ahead of potential targets such as Phoenix’s Amare Stoudemire.

ESPN.com's Chad Ford indeed has New Jersey selecting Johnson with the third overall pick in his latest mock draft.

[turtlesnjoi]

I will laugh so hard if the Nets draft Johnson.

[thamadkant]

Lol you dont waste a No.3 to "entice" a FA who you can get anyways... (its all about $$$)..

[Jugs]

uggggggggh Wes Johnson is not a 3rd pick

[defjux21]

Haha, Isiah tried to make a similar move a while back with the Knicks when he acquired Eddy Curry and drafted Balkman completely out of the blue in 2006. Both are represented by Leon Rose, so it was thought to be a play to obtain Lebron James.

We've seen how that ended up working out.

[HTown_TMac]

lol

[carrottop12]

I could see it with both players having the same agent the talks could definitely be legit.

Boozer has said he is not opposed to playing in NJ, and a Lopez/Boozer combo is nice.

[BarneyGumble]

Ive criticized Boozer for his defense but I think if the Nets can get a great pick and add Boozer then they will have a nice core with Lopez and Harris. That would be a scary team out east!

[CodyB]

On offense, Lopez Boozer could be an elite frontcourt. Not enough length and strength on D though.

[HootieRules]

uggggggggh Wes Johnson is not a 3rd pick

I take it you don't watch college basketball?

[LakersMoscow]

NJ should charge a future draft pick from every lottery team for allowing their players to "slide".
It's time to teach amerikens how you do business in Soviet Russia
All Hail MikHAIL!

[rickbrunson]

NJ should charge a future draft pick from every lottery team for allowing their players to "slide".
It's time to teach amerikens how you do business in Soviet Russia
All Hail MikHAIL!

I love the move for NJ, but will Stern let a team accept a trade chip (future pick) for NOT doing something? Doesn't something have to be exchanged?

[eslr]

So you draft a certain guy, presumably in a spot where he shouldnt be drafted, just so you can have a chance to overpay some other guy that will come to your team anyways if you are willing to overpay him?

[junot111]

looks nice on paper but my biggest question is how good of a fit will Boozer and Lopez be? They're better off going after Amar'e first or just draft Favors

[Jersey Generals]

Not enough length D though.

...you mean just on Boozer's side, right? Because to say Lopez isn't long enough for defense is laughable. The dude has a longer wingspan and is longer than a summer day.