Find a PG

[tviper]

With the trade for Keyon Dooling, the Nets now have 16 players under contract, and according to the NJ Press, the odd man out is Marcus Williams.

The trade gives the Nets a solid backcourt trio, with a feisty, long-armed third guard who can defend both spots effectively. But it also gives them 16 guaranteed contracts, so they have stepped up their efforts to move point guard Marcus Williams, who now becomes the odd man out again.

The most logical landing spot for Williams might be one of the many teams who have their own trade exceptions -- Seattle has two, in fact -- and wouldn't mind taking a chance on a work in progress with a $1.2 million price tag.

http://www.nj.com/nets/index.ssf/2008/0 ... trade.html

Obviously, MIN is a much better landing spot for Williams than Seattle, who is loaded with PG's. We still have a $1.44 mil TPE from McHale's slick trade of Gerald Green for the TPE and a second rounder. Clearly Williams isn't polished, and that might hurt him some, but if we can't get Telfair, this seems like a good move.

shrink, I thought the exact same thing when reading the story this morning...I have watched Williams play on a handful of occassions and was very impressed...he would be the perfect complement to Foye IMO...can't think of a better fit for the price...somebody call McHale!

[jpatrick]

Anyone know why it hasn't worked out for him in NJ? They seem pretty anxious to dump him.

I seem to remember he was a lotto type talent a couple of years ago, and after watching him at UCONN I really liked him. Not a great athlete but a pure pure PG who made everyone else better.

Then due to some pretty serious character questions (I think he was suspended for awhile) and there was a rumor that he was out of shape at his predraft workouts he slid to the late first round. Then he did very little in NJ. Just curious if he's a bad teammate, bad work ethic or just a bad fit in NJ.

[4ho5ive]

You are correct on the suspension and him being out of shape also jpatrick. I really liked him when he was coming out of college and I watch a few Nets games with a friend who is a fan when I am able to. He has the skills to be a pretty good, pure Point. But recently in NJ it seemed like he was quicker to pull a three than try to find the open man. I dont know if its true but I also heard rumblings of attitude issues in the locker room.

They never really gave him any development when Kidd was there as Kidd played a majority of the minutes. Lawrence Frank isnt exactly the ideal coach for his development either. He isnt a blow-by-his-man kinda player and he is average at best on D. I like the kid, and maybe a change of scenery is what he needs, but isnt that what we always say when we want to deal for someone?

For the Green TPE I would take the chance. I dont see him as a starter in this league, but I dont think it would hurt us.

[Joel Embust]

You guys should go after Marcus. He never got the opportunity to prove himself with Kidd logging 40 minutes a game.

[LUMBERPUPP]

Williams definitely fits but does anyone want to give up a 1st rounder for him? Could he be had for a 2nd?

The Bucks just signed Lue too. Wonder what the hell they are thinking...I'd love to get Sessions.

My prediction though: Cardinal + a combination of picks and cash for Ridnour.

[tviper]

Williams definitely fits but does anyone want to give up a 1st rounder for him? Could he be had for a 2nd?

The Bucks just signed Lue too. Wonder what the hell they are thinking...I'd love to get Sessions.

My prediction though: Cardinal + a combination of picks and cash for Ridnour.

I agree, makes sense for both teams...don't think we should give up a first, though...

[All Day]

I'll throw another name into the mix.. Jacque Vaughn? One year left on his contract at $1.26 mil. He fits under the GG TPE ($1.44 mil). The Spurs drafted George Hill and signed Roger Mason (combo guard), and of course Tony Parker will play the majority of the minutes at the point, so Vaughn may be the odd man out.

Vaughn is 33. He played in 74 games last season (9 starts) averaging 4 ppg and 2 apg on 43% shooting (30% from 3) in 15 minutes a game.

He's obviously not the most skilled player, but he's smart and plays hard (from what I've seen). I think he could manage the game in limited PT, mentor Foye, and be a great asset in the locker room.

For one year at his price, I don't think it'd be a bad pickup considering the going price for FAs and the likely abundance of PGs in next years draft. I'm beginning to think the best route for a PG is a vet on a one year contract, as to not commit $$$ to a more skilled player when the Wolves aren't ready for the playoffs and are far from contending for a chip. My only concern is that the vet (Vaughn, in this instance) would need to challenge Foye for minutes so Foye continues to work on his game and improve.

A pg rotation of Foye/Vaughn/SL-pickup works for me or if Telfair is signed I'd easily roll with Foye/Telfair/Vaughn.

[Klomp]

I've thought about Vaughn also, but I highly doubt SA would do it because they really seem to like him. He fits Pops' system to a T

[All Day]

^^^Yeah, you have a good point. I guess it really depends on how well Hill and Mason come in and play. If those guys put on a strong showing, I could see Vaughn replaced by younger, more talented players.

[theGreatRC]

I like Marcus Williams from NJ. Don't know if they want to give him up, but I have always admired his passing, and he doesn't need to be a scorer(which he isn't), just a floor general.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Lame, 3.5 mil is a good deal for Dooling

what is MN waiting for? We're going to end up signing Mike Wilks or something...

[shrink]

The move likely will mean the end of Marcus Williams' days in New Jersey. Heading into his third year in the league, Williams has been plagued by injuries so far. He's missed parts of the last two seasons and has averaged 6.4 points and three assists in his career.

The Nets are said to be looking to package Williams and one of their other young players, such as forwards Josh Boone or Sean Williams, for a veteran. They still have eight players on their roster with two years' or less experience in the league.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baske ... g_fro.html

MIN doesn't have a lot of trade components, particularly veterans. They do carry a $1.4 TPE that could cover either guy, and an expiring contract of vet Calvin Booth who would salary-match any of those three, if the goal comes down to finances. I suppose MIN could throw in a late pick in the right package. There's also the possibility of Rashad McCants for two of them, but he's hardly a veteran.

I think I read that the Dooling deal gives NJ 16 guaranteed contracts, one more than the league will allow when the season starts.

[karch34]

McCants for WIlliams and Boone/Williams does work financially. Probably have to throw in a late 1st for Williams, but Boone would be straight up. It also makes some sense from our end in that it would clear up some of the log jam at 2/3 and allow us to keep Gomes. Plus we'd get a backup PG without adding salary. Marcus Williams did have some character issues from what I remember, but I still think he's a talented player who could be a nice find. There's risk but I'd do it.

[Devilzsidewalk]

NJ has quietly put together a roster full of pretty solid NBA talent. There's really no dead weight there. Worst players are probably Ager, Swift, and Hassell, and that trio will still have plenty more opportunities ahead in the NBA.

[Devilzsidewalk]

did anybody see this yet:

July 22, 2008
Marcus Is Gone

By FRED KERBER

Well, so much for fighting for his job.

Point guard Marcus Williams, who recently vowed to fight for his minutes after the Nets acquired Keyon Dooling, is headed to Golden State for a future first round pick. The trade will be announced later today.

The pick is lottery protected for 2011 – so the Nets get it if the Warriors are in the playoffs. If it goes to 2012, the pick is protected 1-to-11. It’s protected 1-to-10 for 2013. If it is not conveyed by 2013, the Nets s\get second rounders in 2013 and 2015.

[Klomp]

Wow

[4ho5ive]

A lotto protected first in 3 years. Damn. At least we got Bassy back.

[revprodeji]

Good deal for both teams. Weird it is under the radar.

Getting Bassy back makes us not want Williams. We will either get a vet/mentor who does not want to play much or a project.

[Klomp]

Sounds like we had interest in Eddie House. Also, we've had some interest in Derrick Low, but hes considering an offer to play in Australia.

Both are on TWolvesBlog.com, http://www.twolvesblog.com/daily-news/m ... art-2.html