Nets On The Right Track?

by Jeff Clark on Aug 27, 2009 6:13 AM EDT in NBA Articles

Devin Harris, Courtney Lee help give Nets promising future - Scott Howard-Cooper - SI.com

The Nets are set at point guard and center, and those are the toughest spots to fill. They have reason to be encouraged at shooting guard and small forward. The obvious reality check is that Harris is the only elite player at his position right now. Stars win games, and stars especially win playoff games, but the current roster is mostly complementary pieces.

That's where the cap space comes into play. The Nets are projected to have about $25 million in spending power next summer, depending how far south the economy drives the salary cap and, internally, their decisions on a few contract options. That money can buy a star, either next offseason in free agency or any time in a blockbuster that allows New Jersey to make a deal for an expensive, proven veteran without having to match salaries.

The Nets have more reason to be hopeful than a year ago at this time, and that's saying something in a youth movement. They have construction.

What do you think? Could the Nets be on the track to becoming really good in a few years? As we've discussed before, I think the Thunder are also building a solid foundation. The Bobcats and Griz? Not so much. Who else could be good in a few years? (remember when we were one of those teams? wasn't that long ago)

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Not enough

They don’t have nearly enough talent to be considered up-and-coming.

Harris, Lee and Brooks are nice to have but they need a few more very good players to be taken seriously. Yi just isn’t showing anything. The rest of the roster is pretty much filler—nothing special.

The FA money may come in handy depending on how much is actually available and who they target. For example, if they move to Brooklyn and actually land Lebron, instant playoffs and one of the top 4 teams in the East (just because of Lebron). On the other hand, if the get Bosh, he’s very good but not good enough to get them out of the barely-making-the-playoffs level. If they target someone other than a star forward (say Wade), that puts one of their 3 existing solid assets on the bench and doesn’t help them as much.

by slamtheking on Aug 27, 2009 7:56 AM EDT reply actions

The Nets really have to move Dooling and Najera if they really want to improve the team as it should.

by BudweiserCeltic on Aug 27, 2009 9:22 AM EDT reply actions

I was surprised they traded Ryan Anderson ...

in the VC deal. From what I saw before his injury, he and Lopez looked like they played well together. I thought the Nets had their two starting bigs of the future.

Otherwise, I’ve never been a Rod Thorn enthusiast, and he’s done nothing to change that. The Nets will suck indefinitely, is my prediction.

"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark

by Eeyore III on Aug 27, 2009 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

anderson is going to be a very good player

i really like the kid.

im gonna be all up on you like a spider monkey!

by remembering9ergods on Aug 27, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

They Should Change Their Name

To the Brooklyn Clippers

by Brickowski on Aug 27, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions

Thorn

He’s been able to land Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Devon Harris in trades. Didn’t he draft Richard Jefferson after we took Kedrick Brown? I always thought Rod did a pretty good job.

by Little D on Aug 27, 2009 7:54 PM EDT reply actions

Brown

You have to mention our experience with Brown. What a waste of a pick!

by greennwin on Aug 27, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions

The Nets have a shot … but their whole hand is dependent on the cap space for the time being.

I don’t think either Devin Harris or Brook Lopez can be the cornerstone to a Championship caliber team. Good pieces, important pieces, yes, but not cornerstones.

And … it’s tough to get franchise players through free agency. An All-Star who can be your third or fourth option is far more likely. If neither Wade or LeBron signs with them … how good will the Nets really be? Even if they spend that $25 million on one or two all-stars? A 50-55 win team who aren’t a legit contender?

They’ve got a decent hand to play but an awful lot has to go right for them over the next 12 months, starting with their draft picks (Mavs pick too) in next year’s draft (which will slice the cap figure down another $5 million).

by Who on Aug 28, 2009 1:00 AM EDT reply actions