Dx/espn have New Jersey taking W. Johnson

[bmyers3317]

On their latest Mock Draft and via their twitter page. He says Avery Johnson wants someone who can contribute right away and says the Nets will address the power forward position in free agency.

[bmyers3317]

Espn Has it now

Ford has spoken to more sources on Monday and has revised his mock draft to include Johnson at No. 3. His commentary on the switch from Favors to Johnson is attached to the bottom of this post.

"We've had Derrick Favors here for months. But after his workout for the Nets on Monday, Favors has fallen behind Johnson on their board, according to sources close to the situation. The Nets have needs at both the 3 and the 4 and feel they'll be able to land an elite big man, like Carlos Boozer or Amare Stoudemire, through free agency. Meanwhile, they believe Johnson can come in and immediately start at the 3 for them."

[God Squad]

yeah i was reading this on other boards. Would you consider this good or bad news? I'm not very high on Wes Johnson. I would rather your team draft Favors. But I understand they want someone to help right away.

[NJ To BK]

JUST POSTED THIS TWO HOURS AGO AND THIS STORY BREAKSSS WOWW WHOSS THE REALGMERR NOW??

This is what I posted at 12:24, God listens to me ya know?

I actually still pray for turner to drop.. Think about it favors is a gamble because of his "raw" potential and the really the fact that he hasnt proven anything in college, and cousins is a gamble because of his character problems and his lack of commitment to his body. I would rather draft Turner or a Wes Johnson and SIGN A PF such as an already polished David Lee or Carlos Boozer. Evan Turner is a proven talent with high character this kid is stud waiting to happen. Wes Johnson can also turn into something special with the right direction.

Starting Line Up
Harris
Joe Johnson or Rudy Gay
Wes Johnson or Turner
David Lee Or Carlos Boozer
Brook Lopez

Bench
Lee, Yi, Twill and fillers

[The J Rocka]

I mean it makes the most sense. You guys got money to spend, go out and get Amare, Lee, or Boozer instead.

Lopez
Lee
W. Johnson
Lee
Harris

Or can upgrade at SG and make a run at Joe Johnson.

[Preludepunk27]

It's a smoke screen because Minny desperately wants a wing player and Thorn is just seeing if he can still get the guy he wants while clearing cap room or gaining an asset.

I'm not high on Johnson, but I'm not opposed to him. I just don't think we'd actually draft him at #3.

[jzmagik]

It's a smoke screen because Minny desperately wants a wing player and Thorn is just seeing if he can still get the guy he wants while clearing cap room or gaining an asset.

I'm not high on Johnson, but I'm not opposed to him. I just don't think we'd actually draft him at #3.

I thought it was a smokescreen as well. It's stupid to draft Wes Johnson unless we can get a border-line allstar in a trade from someone else who wants to move up.

I'm praying we get Derrick Favors

[vincecarter4pres]

I think it's a smoke screen as well, but if it's true I will drop kick puppies till the sun comes out.

[HotShots]

Thorn is trying to get Ricky Rubio. Minnesota really wants Wess. We put word out there we are going to take him and maybe Minnesota will make a deal. Swap picks plus rights to Rubio. So we still get Favors and Rubio.

Analysis: The Timberwolves will be sick to their stomachs if this scenario takes place. The two players they covet are Turner and Johnson. If the Sixers and Nets take them, the Wolves would be left to consider two bigs they aren't entirely comfortable with.



GM David Kahn ripped Favors after his workout in Minnesota, calling him out of shape and saying he wasn't ready to play in the league. And the Wolves haven't even had Cousins in for a workout because he doesn't want to play in Minnesota. Plus, the team has its own concerns about Cousins that probably would keep it from drafting him.



Other players available include Greg Monroe and Al-Farouq Aminu, but I don't see either going this high. This development may push the Wolves to try harder to trade up or out.

[HotShots]

Even Draftexpress has us taking Wes now at 3.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2010/

[funkatron101]

Don't believe the hype. Johnson at #4 has been considered a reach for weeks. Kahn like Favors, that talk is a smokescreen. Prior to the workout he was praising Favors to no end. Ronzone also said that it's stupid to judge based on one workout. They have been scouting these guys all year and these workouts are just for the coaches to get a better look at them. Kahn also isn't giving up Rubio. IMO, if the Nets are trying to swindle the Wolves, it's not going to happen.

[AQuintus]

Thorn is trying to get Ricky Rubio. Minnesota really wants Wess. We put word out there we are going to take him and maybe Minnesota will make a deal. Swap picks plus rights to Rubio. So we still get Favors and Rubio.

Analysis: The Timberwolves will be sick to their stomachs if this scenario takes place. The two players they covet are Turner and Johnson. If the Sixers and Nets take them, the Wolves would be left to consider two bigs they aren't entirely comfortable with.



GM David Kahn ripped Favors after his workout in Minnesota, calling him out of shape and saying he wasn't ready to play in the league. And the Wolves haven't even had Cousins in for a workout because he doesn't want to play in Minnesota. Plus, the team has its own concerns about Cousins that probably would keep it from drafting him.



Other players available include Greg Monroe and Al-Farouq Aminu, but I don't see either going this high. This development may push the Wolves to try harder to trade up or out.

I wouldn't put too much stock in Woj's article. He's a (Please Use More Appropriate Word) that seems to have some kind of personal vendetta against Kahns/Minnesota.

Based on insider information, it's been speculated for a while now that Favors is the guy Minnesota most wants from this draft. If he drops to 4, Minnesota will be laughing all the way to the bank. Don't expect for any trades to go down between NJ and Minny if NJ takes Wes Johnson (especially not any involving Rubio).

Edit:

Also, 2 more things. Rubio + 4 for 3 is an incredibly terrible deal for Minnesota. It would be by far the most expensive 1 pick trade up in NBA history. And 2, getting Johnson is no where near as big a priority as Woj is making it seem. Minnesota has the option of overpaying Gay (as mentioned), getting a wing with their other draft picks, or trading Jefferson or Love for a wing.

[Foye]

Sorry guys but I will LMAO out if New Jersey takes WJ over Favors.

I'm not very high on WJ so that would likely be my best case scenario of the draft if NJ takes Johnson and we just decline to trade Favors for Johnson.

[Frank Lucas]

It make sense that the Nets would look at Wes Johnson because they can land an ALL STAR Power Forward via free agency. They still can draft Johnson and work out a trade after the draft. I guess my point is they Nets would be smart to draft Wes Johnson over Favors. I've watched Favors a lot and his game is ok. I think he has bust writen all over him.

[richboy]

Your not really reaching for the stars if you take WJ as high as 3. He has very little shot at ever being a top 5 SF. Really it might be difficult for him to crack the top 10. Cousins and Favors have much higher upsides. Cousins is better than WJ as a freshman.

[One Love]

Favois > Johnson all day long... Not trying to troll but I like your core of Harris, Brook & Lee (I feel he is solid) therefore keep an eye on Jersey... Good luck at the draft...

[AQuintus]

Favois > Johnson all day long... Not trying to troll but I like your core of Harris, Brook & Lee (I feel he is solid) therefore keep an eye on Jersey... Good luck at the draft...

I think it really comes down to what the Nets expect to do in Free Agency.

Favors is > Johnson, but Amare + Johnson might be > Favors + Gay.

[MNRunLeft]

Johnson will be a very good player if the talent around him is good. He may not be a #1 or #2 option but he can be an All Star in the mold of Marion and Prince who weren't superstars but were key parts to very good teams. If NJ wants to win right away he's probably the better pick because Favors will take some time to develop, though in 2 or 3 years he could turn into a true superstar.

[SpeedyG]

It make sense that the Nets would look at Wes Johnson because they can land an ALL STAR Power Forward via free agency. They still can draft Johnson and work out a trade after the draft. I guess my point is they Nets would be smart to draft Wes Johnson over Favors. I've watched Favors a lot and his game is ok. I think he has bust writen all over him.

Ah yes if only Free-agency came before the draft.

[hoopsmaster546]

The Nets will not take Johnson. I know he had an individual workout with the team, but this pick is between Favors and Cousins. There is no guarantee that we will sign Amare, Lee, or Boozer, because free agency is unpredictable. I think we should pick the best player available for us, needing a good power forward, because Yi has been terrible. The Nets will pick either Favors or Cousins on Thursday. I'm praying its Cousins. He will bring a toughness, power, and size to the team and will complement Lopez's game. He is the best player available after Wall and Turner.