duetta wrote:Moose wrote:Like I said earlier, you can spin this anyway you want...
...tonight was a bad night for the Knicks.
And in three seasons is will be an even worse night for the Nets. At some point, the chickens come home to roost.
Nets are, at best, fourth best team in the conference.
Deron Williams has a monster contract that doesn't end until after the 2016/2017 season. Joe Johnson's doesn't end until after the 2015/2016 season. Brook Lopez contract also doesn't end until 2015/2016. So yes, they will likely suck in 2018, but they should be at least decent until then assuming these guys stay healthy. And by decent, I mean making the playoffs, maybe even as a weak 6th seed, not competing for a title. Realistically, their title hopes are these next 2 seasons.
The Nets traded 3 picks and swapped 1 in 2017. From my understanding, the Nets will still have their own pick in 2014 (because they have the Hawks pick), a pick in 2015, no pick in 2016, a swapped pick in 2017, and no pick in 2018.
They will likely be sending over the Hawks pick to the Celtics, which most definitely can be a very good pick. And the 2018 pick will likely pick another good pick. Of course, we don't actually know this about the 2018 pick. They could get lucky and hit on some players in the draft or in free agency. They can continue to be a playoff team even in 2017. Making only 2 picks important, the Hawks pick and the 2018 pick.
When you look at their salary situation. They are giving up essentially nothing, except for 2 good picks. Brooks is the only player they traded that had talent. And they get rid of that horrible Wallace contract.
Now if they go out and get a swing player like Korver who can shoot it, resign Blatche, and bring in a solid back up PG...where are the weaknesses on this team? Health questions and possibly defensive questions seem to be the two. If they stay healthy, they have a puncher's chance of beating Miami. But if they stay healthy, and play good defense, while getting tougher (possible with the additions of KG, Pierce, and Kidd as a head coach), they will be going 12 rounds with Miami to see who makes the Finals.
This is an opinion. Like you all have your own. But I think most of you don't want to accept that the Nets are now better than the Knicks. That it is likely the Knicks window for a title is basically closed, unless injuries happen, or the Knicks make impact moves. I am not trying to be a d*ck. I honestly just think this was the right move for the Nets and that it makes them better than the Knicks and as long as they stay healthy, they will be fighting with Miami for the Eastern title.
It may be a small window, 1 or 2 years, but it gives them a very legit chance to win a title.
