The future of Brooklyn

Post #1 » by **HMFFL** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:14 pm

If Brooklyn ends up failing to extend Deron Williams, do you think they'd be interested in Joe Johnson? They need to form a strong core around Brook Lopez, they have very little to grow on, and not enough talent that is going to be appealing to more star free agents. Deron Williams is possibly the teams only hope, Dwight Howard may follow once Deron Williams decides, but right now things are looking suspect.

Post #2 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:55 pm

Dude...YES!!!!!

They were so desperate, they traded a lottery pick for Gerald Wallace. Who then opted out after three months. They've had cap room for years, but no one willling to take it.

They have an owner with ridiculously deep pockets, but no one of significance is willing to sign there. They'd take JJ in a heartbeat, especially if the alternative is watching Dwight, Deron and Gerald wallace go elsewhere. Their last big Free Agent signing was a one year deal for Kris Humphries.

JJ is an All-Star and has pulled a bad, lottery team out of the doldrums before.

If i was ATL, I'd have traded JJ this year for their lottery pick in a heartbeat. I have to think NJ at least made a call for Josh or JJ this spring.

evildallas · Post #3 » by **evildallas** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 11:57 pm

No I don't think they would be. Too much money, not enough sizzle. Gets them to mediocre, but hurts long term. If they lose Deron Williams I think an empty slate is preferable to having so much tied up in Joe. They have the honeymoon period of being new in Brooklyn and at the end of this year Morrow, Petro, and Farmar come off the books. Brooks will still be on a cheap deal and whatever Brook Lopez resigns for as a RFA. That would be it. You fill in the gaps with one year deals and you have the room to pay max deals and make trades in 2013 when people are facing large tax bills.

I think after going all out to retain Williams as the cornerstone they suck this year and fill in gaps with 1 year contracts. BTW, If they sign Wallace or Humphries long term it will solve the age old question about who was worse as a GM Billy Knight or Billy King. King might have the edge already with the horrible trade for Wallace, but to follow that up with long term contracts that restrict the ability to stars down the road would seal the deal.

Post #4 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 1:20 pm

evildallas wrote:No I don't think they would be. Too much money, not enough sizzle. Gets them to mediocre, but hurts long term. If they lose Deron Williams I think an empty slate is preferable to having so much tied up in Joe

I just meant that if they had traded the #6 for JJ instead of Gerald Wallace, they would have a better shot at convincing Deron Williams to re-sign.

JJ + Deron gives them the best backcourt in the league. Hands down. And all of a sudden with Boston declining, NJ has a shot to attract big name free agents on the cheap (Garnett, Allen) and become the next big thing in the Atlantic Division.

The alternative being to open the new arena in Brooklyn, wth no stars, no hype, no hope, no young draft picks.

That's bad business and Avery Johnson and Billy King may not last long if that's the case.

MaceCase · Post #5 » by **MaceCase** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 1:41 pm

The OP is dependent on Deron leaving. In that case no way in hell do they make that trade. They'd much rather go after someone younger like Gay than a 31 year old with 90 million owed to him and a very unexciting game. The Wallace trade was something to placate Deron by showing that they weren't just tanking and waiting for Dwight in the meantime but also trying to win some games. They did the same when they traded for Okur but with Deron gone it's highly suspect that they go chasing after any vet unless they have charisma and upside. Gay, Monta and maybe Iggy would be the only vets I think they would pursue but I honestly think they'd try to make themselves players in the RFA market chasing after guys like Harden, Jennings and 'Reke to pair with Lopez or they can even prepare their selves to go after Bynum who is a free agent at the same time as Dwight.

Post #6 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 1:47 pm

MaceCase wrote:Gay, Monta and maybe Iggy would be the only vets I think they would pursue but I honestly think they'd try to make themselves players in the RFA market chasing after guys like Harden, Jennings and 'Reke to pair with Lopez or they can even prepare themselves to go after Bynum who is a free agent at the same time as Dwight.

That....is a good point.

I forgot about Jennings and Harden being RFA.

And Jennings is a kid I think would love the bright lights of the big city playing in front of Jay-Z every night after playing in Milwaukee and Europe his entire pro career.