All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: [email protected]
MISSING
New Jersey Nets (Last Year: 34-48)
Depth Chart:
C: Brook Lopez/Tony Battie/Sean Williams
PF: Yi Jianlian/Eduardo Najera/Josh Boone
SF: Terrence Williams/Jarvis Hayes/Bobby Simmons
SG: Courtney Lee/Trenton Hassell/Chris Douglas-Roberts
PG: Devin Harris/Rafer Alston/Keyon
Dooling
Head Coach: Lawrence Frank
(7th year)
2009-2010 Team Salary: $56.8 million
Projected 2010-2011 Team
Salary: approximately $26.4 million
Off-Season Grade: Aced
Here’s the deal: The Nets
were not going anywhere with Vince Carter on the roster. So trading
Carter and the $33.6 million he is guaranteed over the next two years for
two expiring contracts and a promising young player in Courtney Lee
made a lot of sense. It sets New Jersey up nicely for next offseason
to have plenty of cap flexibility to try and make a run at one of the
many marquee free agents. Alston provides a backup to Devin Harris
while Tony Battie will bring some toughness and leadership up front.
I am surprised Rod Thorn was willing to part ways with Ryan Anderson,
who showed great promise in his rookie year.
Other than that, it was a fairly
quiet offseason for the Nets who held pat with their roster.
I think Terrence Williams was a great value with the 11th pick and
should be able to add his versatility on the wing.
2009-2010 Outlook:
Devin Harris made a leap from
a solid NBA player to an All-Star last season and will need to continue
that development for the Nets to have any shot at making the playoffs.
Brook Lopez made great strides during his rookie season and proved he
can be a very valuable big man at the next level.
Besides Harris and Lopez, and
up-and-coming players like Williams and Lee, the roster is rounded out
with role players who either haven’t lived up to their expectations
or shouldn’t be playing expanded minutes. Not a good sign for
this season…
Looking Ahead to the Summer of 2010:
Before they exercise the options
on young player like Lopez, Lee, or Douglas-Roberts, the Nets only have
four players under contract for the 2010-2011 season which gives them
plenty of cap space to be a major player next summer. Team co-owner
and rap mogul Jay-Z will try everything in his power to convince good
pal LeBron to come east to Jersey (or Brooklyn if they ever move there.)
The odds are slim of the James joining Jay-Z, but the Nets should still
be able to land a marquee free agent to add to their collection of youth.
I would also expect New Jersey to try to move Najera or Dooling at the
deadline for an expiring contract to have even more money to spend next
summer.
2009-10 NBA Power Ranking: 25th
Written by Paul Banks of NBC Chicago and the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: [email protected]
MISSING
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 16
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
