Most of the talk for offseason moves has centered on major trades and what to do with the draft picks. Thought it might be interesting to focus just on the unrestricted FA class and order of preference for the players that the Nets might target. Players with ETO's who are likely to opt out and become UFAs are included in the discussion, but players that the Nets could only realistically obtain via S&T (e.g., Brand) are not. Let's keep the focus on players the Nets might be able to unilaterally target and sign. Which brings up a point. Can the Nets use one of their two trade exceptions to augment the MLE or LLE (or any fragment thereof) in signing a FA? I'm too lazy to look it up, so I'm going to assume "yes" unless told otherwise. Let's also assume that RJ is moved early in the offseason and that wing depth, experience, and versatility are still issues after the dust settles on all trades. Here are some names to get us started, players I find most appealing from the list of definite or likely UFAs (but feel free to add to the list): Maurice Evans - 6'5"/220 lbs/Age 29 - A tad short for a wing but very dense and well put together. Plays hard on both ends. Shot a career best 40% from 3 this season. Career 37% shooter from 3. Looked terrific in the Magic's opener against Toronto. Mikael Pietrus - 6'6"/215/Age 26 - Good length and athleticism. Competes defensively. Best in up-tempo offense. Shot 36% from three this year, 39% the year before, 35% for his career. James Jones - 6'8"/220/Age 27 - Very long and lanky. Was credited by a Portland assistant coach as being a very important communicator on the defensive end. Shot an amazing 44% from three this year (3rd in the league) and is a career 40% shooter from long range over his 5 NBA seasons. He can be a tad streaky from game to game or week to week, but the numbers speak for themselves. At 27 and entering his prime, great 3-point shooting is almost assured from him. Had a recurrent left knee problem last year, however, so medical assurances are needed before making him a target. Roger Mason - 6'5"/212/Age 27 - He's PG-sized but functions more like a 2-guard and would be a good compliment to VC when Harris is on the bench. He's paid some dues to finally be a decent rotation player . . . his minutes jumped drastically this year to 21/game, and he had a very nice season for Washington, shooting 40% from three and drawing a surprisingly high number of fouls (18th in the league in FTA/48 minutes). I would be reasonably satisfied if the Nets got any of these guys, but Jones is my clear first choice, assuming his health isn't an issue. I don't know what kind of offers he will get, but I would be prepared to throw the entire MLE at him, if necessary. Portland has a lot of wing players that shoot, and they might not care to match such an offer.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FOMW @ Apr 22 2008, 02:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Which brings up a point. Can the Nets use one of their two trade exceptions to augment the MLE or LLE (or any fragment thereof) in signing a FA? I'm too lazy to look it up, so I'm going to assume "yes" unless told otherwise.</div> No, they can't be combined
Evans wants to return to Orlando and I think they've already begun talks with him. He's probably off the board.
James Jones is still under contract for Portland. He can opt out, and we thought it was pretty much guaranteed before the season, but he says he likes Portland and the Blazers, and he might not get as much as a raise as he would like due to his injury plagued season. I wouldn't be surprised to see him stay now.
Are Daniel Gibson and Keyon Dooling UFA also? Because if they are Nets should target one of them, especially Gibson for the backup PG spot.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FOMW @ Apr 22 2008, 01:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I would be reasonably satisfied if the Nets got any of these guys, but Jones is my clear first choice, assuming his health isn't an issue. I don't know what kind of offers he will get, but I would be prepared to throw the entire MLE at him, if necessary. Portland has a lot of wing players that shoot, and they might not care to match such an offer.</div> Jones would be my first choice of these guys, too. There's a huge difference between a 36% 3pt shooter and a >40% shooter. The Nets shot 36% as a team last year and it was only good for 24th place. Bringing in career 36 or 37% shooter, which Pietrus, Mason, and Evans all are, isn't going to help in that area. Though I guess I'd settle for status quo if trading RJ brought help in other areas. And yes, Gibson and Dooling are both UFAs, and James Jones is listed as one on espn.com here: ESPNs list of 2008 free agents ... though I've read conflicting things about him. I also kind of like Jarvis Hayes, though I imagine DET will hold on to him. And I love Ariza, but he doesn't help with outside shooting.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NOMAM @ Apr 22 2008, 03:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Are Daniel Gibson and Keyon Dooling UFA also? Because if they are Nets should target one of them, especially Gibson for the backup PG spot.</div> Forgot about Gibson. He's restricted, according to ESPN, though, so we likely couldn't get him. No thanks on Dooling.
