Challenge: Solidify the Nets

[deviljets7]

Right now the Nets are 18-18 and hold the 7th spot in the East, but only one game out of moving into the No. 4 seed. Things have turned around in recent weeks as NJ has gone 8-4 since moving Sean Williams and Josh Boone into the starting lineup.

It appears that a trade for a superstar big (Gasol, JO, etc.) is not happening, so the challenge becomes what do you do to build up the Nets for the stretch run. Here are their main needs:
1. Another big man: Williams/Boone are playing well, but you're asking a lot out of two young players right now. Krstic's slow recovery and the incompetence of Collins/Magliore isn't helping that situation
2. Perimeter shooting: the Nets are near the bottom in 3-point shooting
3. Backup PG: Darrell Armstrong is 40 and not really a true PG. The Nets have Marcus Williams, but Lawrence Frank hasn't been willing to play him since coming back from injury

Restrictions:
1. Kidd, Carter, Jefferson and Sean Williams are off limits. The first three are obvious. Williams is the Nets' only shot blocker and currently their best big man. Since the trade for an all-star is not there, they aren't trading him.
2. Finances do play a factor. I'm not saying NJ can't or wouldn't take on money, but considering the trio of Kidd, Carter and Jefferson are making $49 mil in 08/09, the idea of say Zach Randolph is unrealistic from a $$ standpoint.

I hope to see some creative ideas. I have some on my own (have been posted in the trades thread), but I figure I'll open the floor to you

[WizardsWorld]

The Randolph deal I posted is probably the way to go... I know you said its unrealistic money wise... but by them getting Randolph and holding onto their main pieces I think would make them the #2 team in the East after Boston of course...

If they move Collins, Magloire, Nachbar and a future heavily protected 1st for Randolph they become a very scary team...


C: Boone/Kristic
PF: Randolph/Williams
SF: Jefferson/Wright
SG: Carter/Armstrong
PG: Kidd/Williams

That's the #2 team in the East for ya... opposed to the #6 or #7 that they currently are... This team could possibly even beat Boston in a 7 game series... I know its a lot of money but if they could get Randolph for that package I'd do it.

[deviljets7]

The Randolph deal I posted is probably the way to go... I know you said its unrealistic money wise... but by them getting Randolph and holding onto their main pieces I think would make them the #2 team in the East after Boston of course...

If they move Collins, Magloire, Nachbar and a future heavily protected 1st for Randolph they become a very scary team...


C: Boone/Kristic
PF: Randolph/Williams
SF: Jefferson/Wright
SG: Carter/Armstrong
PG: Kidd/Williams

That's the #2 team in the East for ya... opposed to the #6 or #7 that they currently are... This team could possibly even beat Boston in a 7 game series... I know its a lot of money but if they could get Randolph for that package I'd do it.

If money was no object I agree with you, as much as I dislike Randolph's game. The problem is you have a team that's 22nd in attendance and would be paying $64 million for four players. Just to reasonably fill out the roster, you're probably looking at a $90-95 million roster after the luxury tax.

[WizardsWorld]

-= original quote snipped =-



If money was no object I agree with you, as much as I dislike Randolph's game. The problem is you have a team that's 22nd in attendance and would be paying $64 million for four players. Just to reasonably fill out the roster, you're probably looking at a $90-95 million roster after the luxury tax.

I hear ya... then the only other way as I see it for the Nets to make a huge splash is to trade RJ for a superstar big man... The old RJ for JO talks to restart or something... Kidd and VC need to be there for the big push, theyre the core... so RJ would be the one to go... because the Nets like my Wizards, the Magic and the other #3 - #7 teams in the East arent gonna pass Boston and Detroit without a blockbuster move... thats just how it is... maybe Nets could try to facilitate some sort of 3 way where they ship out RJ and bring back Gasol somehow ? That would be a big big move...

[loserX]

How about something like this:

Sonics trade/Nets receive
Chris Wilcox
Luke Ridnour
Mikael Gelabale
Johan Petro

The Nets get their big man (and a spare), a backup PG who is still young and is a .400-or-better 3PT shooter, and a backup wing who can defend and also hit the 3. They solve all their needs here.

C: Wilcox/Petro/Magloire
PF: S. Williams/Boone/M. Allen
SF: Jefferson/A. Wright
SG: Carter/Gelabale
PG: Kidd/Ridnour/Armstrong

Nets trade/Sonics receive
Marcus Williams
Nenad Krstic
Jason Collins
Jamaal Magloire

The Sonics clear boatloads of salary ($13.9M over this season and the next two, less whatever they extend Krstic for), and pick up a young stud as their PG of the future and a very talented, though struggling, young C in Krstic.

C: Krstic/Swift (inj)/Collins/Magloire (exp)
PF: Collison/Kurt Thomas (exp)
SF: Durant/Szczerbiak
SG: Green/Wilkins/D. West
PG: Marcus Williams/Watson/D. West

(I know the Sonics move Green and Durant around.)

The Nets won't like giving up Marcus or Nenad, but they get players who are performing better now and are still fairly young. Note that this trade works despite Ridnour's BYC.

[DanTown8587]

I think they can survive with Nachbar, Wright coming off the bench as shooters. Here is my trade

NJ GETS
Stromile Swift
Damon Stoudamire

Memphis Gets
Jason Collis
Jamaal Magloire
1st round pick 08 lottery protected

The Nets would have some scary depth on this team, and then would have three big athletic bigs in Williams/Boone/Swift where each one can play two positions. The Grizzles get the short end of the stick talent wise but pick up a draft choose and an expiring contract as both Stoudamire and Swift are likely two year deals. The first round pick would not be neccessary as it will save money in the short term and allow the Nets to compete in the East with an extra 1.5-2 in cap room.

[deviljets7]

How about something like this:

Sonics trade/Nets receive
Chris Wilcox
Luke Ridnour
Mikael Gelabale
Johan Petro

The Nets get their big man (and a spare), a backup PG who is still young and is a .400-or-better 3PT shooter, and a backup wing who can defend and also hit the 3. They solve all their needs here.

C: Wilcox/Petro/Magloire
PF: S. Williams/Boone/M. Allen
SF: Jefferson/A. Wright
SG: Carter/Gelabale
PG: Kidd/Ridnour/Armstrong

Nets trade/Sonics receive
Marcus Williams
Nenad Krstic
Jason Collins
Jamaal Magloire

The Sonics clear boatloads of salary ($13.9M over this season and the next two, less whatever they extend Krstic for), and pick up a young stud as their PG of the future and a very talented, though struggling, young C in Krstic.

C: Krstic/Swift (inj)/Collins/Magloire (exp)
PF: Collison/Kurt Thomas (exp)
SF: Durant/Szczerbiak
SG: Green/Wilkins/D. West
PG: Marcus Williams/Watson/D. West

(I know the Sonics move Green and Durant around.)

The Nets won't like giving up Marcus or Nenad, but they get players who are performing better now and are still fairly young. Note that this trade works despite Ridnour's BYC.

I've toyed around with similar type of deals involving Wilcox and other spare parts. I'm not sure if either team does it in the form you stated. I'm not sure if NJ is willing to pull the trigger on Krstic yet. Also, Gelable has the same flaws as Antoine Wright IMO (pretty good on D, very limited on O). I like Watson more than Ridnour because of the defense and slightly smaller contract, but that's not a deal-breaker for me.

On the Seattle side, I don't know how quick they'd be to move Petro considering he's only 21. This deal also doesn't save them much in terms of money since you would have to extend Krstic.

Here's the Nets/Sonics idea I've had for a while that makes a bit more sense IMO:
Nets Trade: Marcus Williams, Magliore, Collins, Antoine Wright and a #1 (lottery protected)
Sonics Trade: Wilcox, Earl Watson (or Ridnour) and Damien Wilkins

[deviljets7]

I think they can survive with Nachbar, Wright coming off the bench as shooters. Here is my trade

NJ GETS
Stromile Swift
Damon Stoudamire

Memphis Gets
Jason Collis
Jamaal Magloire
1st round pick 08 lottery protected

The Nets would have some scary depth on this team, and then would have three big athletic bigs in Williams/Boone/Swift where each one can play two positions. The Grizzles get the short end of the stick talent wise but pick up a draft choose and an expiring contract as both Stoudamire and Swift are likely two year deals. The first round pick would not be neccessary as it will save money in the short term and allow the Nets to compete in the East with an extra 1.5-2 in cap room.

As athletic as Swift is, I think at this point it's safe to say that this is all Swift will ever become. Swift can contribute, but I don't think he'd start over Boone or Williams. I personally couldn't give up a #1 for a big that wouldn't start over either of them. I would trade a 2nd rounder with Collins/Magliore for that package though.

If nothing else, it would put them in a situation to "try again" for a big in the summer with the $10.8 mil of expiring contracts in Swift/Stoudamire.

[#1knickfan]

Trade ID:

Knicks trade:
Malik Rose

Nets trade:
Jason Collins


Nice and simple move for both. The Knicks save a little bit of money and get more size. The Nets get a veteran playoff tested power foward off of the bench and an excellent locker room guy who'd be happy to be on a team with a chance to win.

[shrink]

If money was no object I agree with you, as much as I dislike Randolph's game. The problem is you have a team that's 22nd in attendance and would be paying $64 million for four players. Just to reasonably fill out the roster, you're probably looking at a $90-95 million roster after the luxury tax.

To increase current production, you'll need to exchange something of value. If money is a concern, that means you don't want to use expirings. In that case, NJN needs to look for productive, cheap players, and exchange future value for them. The Nets have a few players which go from untradable to tradable. Would the order be ...?:

Sean Williams
Josh Boone
Nenad Krstic
Marcus Williams
Future 1st.

Is that the right order?

To me, that sounds like MIN or SEA. They won't value current production as highly as a team heading to the play-offs, and they will value future considerations more. For MIN, Ryan Gomes, Craig Smith, Gerald Green, and Telfair are probably all available.

[deviljets7]

-= original quote snipped =-



To increase current production, you'll need to exchange something of value. If money is a concern, that means you don't want to use expirings. In that case, NJN needs to look for productive, cheap players, and exchange future value for them. The Nets have a few players which go from untradable to tradable. Would the order be ...?:

Sean Williams
Josh Boone
Nenad Krstic
Marcus Williams
Future 1st.

Is that the right order?

To me, that sounds like MIN or SEA. They won't value current production as highly as a team heading to the play-offs, and they will value future considerations more. For MIN, Ryan Gomes, Craig Smith, Gerald Green, and Telfair are probably all available.

Money is a concern in that the team is too top heavy in terms of payroll. I think (hope) they'd be willing to take on money, but I can't see it being a guy who's making $12+ mil per, especially if it's for an extended period of time.

In term of listing the Nets "tradable" assets, I think you're on the money with that list. Some might disagree. For me personally I think Marcus Williams should be the main chip. I like Marcus, but he doesn't have the upside of Sean Williams or Krstic and Sean/Boone play bigger roles on the current team. So he's definitely the one they can most afford to move IMO.

[shrink]

Well, its the upside that the teams seeking prospects are going to be looking for. You won't get much for a guy who, at best, is a career-back-up.

[deviljets7]

Well, its the upside that the teams seeking prospects are going to be looking for. You won't get much for a guy who, at best, is a career-back-up.

career backup at best? ouch.

I'm not saying he's a future all-star, but career backup seems over the top.

[MN Die Hard]

This isnt sexy but it could be pretty effective for the Nets.

Marko Jaric and Craig Smith for Jason Collins

Both Jaric and Smith are probably under-appreciated outside of MN.

Jaric doesnt put up huge stats but he can play three positions and blends well with a team with dominant players. He'll accept a lesser role behind Carter/Kidd/Jefferson and rather than look for his shot he'll get steals, assists, and rebounds. Still, he's shooting a respectable 39% on threes.

Smith is an undersized PF but he has great touch around the rim. He's short but strong.

Collins represents a salary savings for MN (Jaric's deal is two years longer) but sadly, he would probably step in and start at center.

[roc]

Would you let your list of untradeables be dipped into for the right price?

http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=749689

Basically = RJ/S Will/08 1st for JO/Prince

I don't think NJ turns that down as it pushes them to top 3 in the East status. Getting the other 3 teams to play along however...

[shrink]

This isnt sexy but it could be pretty effective for the Nets.

Marko Jaric and Craig Smith for Jason Collins

I'm on the fence. It probably means it's a good trade.

I think Jaric has shown enough to be worth a poor-production 2-year deal (over-priced), or a 3-year deal for someone MIN can use. Collins would have some use for MIN, but is he someone MIN wants to give minutes to, at the expense of Craig Smith? Jaric is an instant bench cure, because if his skill-set fits on the team (and he doesn't fit on all of them), you've got your back-up at the 1-2-and-3, combined in one salary/player. With NJN's scorers, I could see Jaric's pass-first, defense-oriented style being helpful. Craig Smith is great at using his size, and seems able to get his shot off against anyone. I can see this clearing minutes for NJN's developing big men, and gives them some back-up depth costing them hardly any talent. I guess, I'd say yes.

How about a more exciting one? Ryan Gomes and Craig Smith for Nenad Krstic? NJN doesn't have to wait to see how Krstic's health will be for the rest of the season. I haven't watched closely, but it seems like Ryan Gomes has been averaging about 20 PPG, 6 RPG in the last few games. Sean Williams looks like the future, and Collins is the vet back-up that knows the team, with Magloire (why is he so bad this year?) still there for the rest of the season too.