If the Nets could get Elton Brand this summer . . .

Some informed folk seem to think Elton Brand will opt out of his final year ($16,440,000). Clippers likely have to worry about resigning Maggette (player option on his final year worth $7,000,000). They still have Kaman even if they lose Brand, and both players operate in the same floor space, so I don't think they will break the bank to keep Brand.

Their biggest concern is point guard. They have no one, which is why a player like Marcus Williams would be very interesting to them, especially if he continues to play like he has since the trade (and I think he will). He's cheap, is gaining a lot of experience this year on the fly, and can be kept under contract for at least 2 more seasons at low cost. If the Clips were to lose Maggette to free agency, they'd have to replace his slashing and all-round scoring.

Lot's of "ifs" in there, but I think there is at least a moderate possibility that the Nets could offer RJ, Marcus, and one of the young bigs in a sign and trade for Brand. But Brand is presumably looking for a multi-year contract that will pay upwards of $17M a year, a lot of money for a guy coming off an Achilles tear that has not yet played this season.

Obviously if he returns to form, he could offer the Nets something they haven't had at any time in recent memory, a 20+ ppg low post scorer and career 50% shooter who also snags 10+ rebounds and is an excellent shot blocker and defender.

If the Nets did this, though, would it endanger their chances of signing LeBron James or one of the other big name free agents outright in 2010? The answer isn't necessarily clear cut since the Nets couldn't acquire James anyway absent a trade of one or both of RJ or VC at or before summer 2010. Also, between the high-salaried players RJ, VC, Brand, and Harris, the one that plays the same position as James and the one the Nets would most need to move in order to avoid redundancy would be RJ.

On the other hand, you can't carry 4 players on your roster that each make 8 figures and 3 of which make well over $15M/year, so if the Nets could acquire Brand for something like the deal proposed, you still would have to trade either Brand or Carter to acquire James in 2010. But in the meantime, you would arguably have a team that, with one other significant move (e.g., acquiring Mike Miller & Kyle Lowrey this summer), would seem to be at least among the 3 best in the eastern conference on paper next year.

I don't want to trade RJ (or Marcus for that matter), and I would be perfectly content to watch this team next year as constructed with whatever else they can get through the draft and summer free agency. But then I'm not nearly as concerned with a team "winning it all" as some others. For those folks, I guess the question is should the Nets put all their eggs in the free agency basket of 2010 or should they look to get what will probably be the best inside-scoring bigman coming available in the next 2 years and try to make a run while Carter is still with the team and playing at a high level?

 

I would hate this move. I think we'd then be back to signing unproductive vets to fill out the roster in the hope that they're the "missing piece," and continually stall out before we get to the finals.

 

RJ and Marcus for Brand?

Hell, yes!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti @ Feb 29 2008, 08:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>RJ and Marcus for Brand?

Hell, yes!</div>

No, the proposal was RJ, Marcus, and one of the young bigs for him. I don't think the other two alone could do it. You'd have to likely give up either Boone or Swill.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpy @ Feb 29 2008, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I would hate this move. I think we'd then be back to signing unproductive vets to fill out the roster in the hope that they're the "missing piece," and continually stall out before we get to the finals.</div>

Dumpy, what's your personal vision for the team for the next few years? Are you in favor of making a big move before 2010? If the group they have now could be a 4-6 seed the next two years in the playoffs, would that be enough for you?

 

Maggette would go before Brand does. Corey complains about playing time at least once a month while Brand has been solid for th organization.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FOMW @ Feb 29 2008, 09:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti @ Feb 29 2008, 08:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>RJ and Marcus for Brand?

Hell, yes!</div>

No, the proposal was RJ, Marcus, and one of the young bigs for him. I don't think the other two alone could do it. You'd have to likely give up either Boone or Swill.
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Still not a problem.

 

I would be upset if we gave up on one of the young big's, and i highly doubt Rod would do that.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpy @ Feb 29 2008, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I would hate this move. I think we'd then be back to signing unproductive vets to fill out the roster in the hope that they're the "missing piece," and continually stall out before we get to the finals.</div>

All your talk about the importance of offensive rebounds and you don't want Elton Brand?

 

RJ, Marcus, and do a sign and trade with Kristic for Brand!!!

DO IT!!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti @ Feb 29 2008, 09:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpy @ Feb 29 2008, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I would hate this move. I think we'd then be back to signing unproductive vets to fill out the roster in the hope that they're the "missing piece," and continually stall out before we get to the finals.</div>

All your talk about the importance of offensive rebounds and you don't want Elton Brand?
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I'm a proponent of quality depth. I don't think you can win with three really good players and crap--the Celtics notwithstanding. [BTW, the Celtics are 15-9 over their last 24 games, which is pretty good but not as good as their 29-3 start]. The Nets have not shown that they can complete a roster when faced with the financial constraints of having a couple of very highly-paid players. We'll be back to the days of Scott Padgett, LaMond Murray, Antoine Wright, et al. trying to find capable 6th through 10th men. Not only is it clearly important in today's NBA to have five guys on the floor who can shoot, but when you have all your fortunes tied up in a couple of players you're more susceptible to a season-impacting injury.

To answer your point directly, though, right now the Nets have their best collection of offensive rebounders in years--maybe since the Buck Williams era? You'd be looking at marginal improvement, at best, depending on which big you'd have to give up to get him.

Right now, depending on what happens the rest of the season, I'd prefer to resign Diop, let Boki go, and try to S&T Krstic for a piece that fits better.

 

But could you get Brand without giving up RJ though?

Look at the assets the Nets could use in a trade:

2 Dallas first round picks
2 possible future Nets first round picks
Sean Williams
Marcus Williams

Salary filler

Swift (6 million expiring next season)
Hassell
Ager

Nets could put together some attractive combo with those pieces. Only negative in there would would be Hassell's contract which won't expire next season.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpy @ Feb 29 2008, 09:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti @ Feb 29 2008, 09:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpy @ Feb 29 2008, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I would hate this move. I think we'd then be back to signing unproductive vets to fill out the roster in the hope that they're the "missing piece," and continually stall out before we get to the finals.</div>

All your talk about the importance of offensive rebounds and you don't want Elton Brand?
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I'm a proponent of quality depth. I don't think you can win with three really good players and crap--the Celtics notwithstanding. [BTW, the Celtics are 15-9 over their last 24 games, which is pretty good but not as good as their 29-3 start]. The Nets have not shown that they can complete a roster when faced with the financial constraints of having a couple of very highly-paid players. We'll be back to the days of Scott Padgett, LaMond Murray, Antoine Wright, et al. trying to find capable 6th through 10th men. Not only is it clearly important in today's NBA to have five guys on the floor who can shoot, but when you have all your fortunes tied up in a couple of players you're more susceptible to a season-impacting injury.

To answer your point directly, though, right now the Nets have their best collection of offensive rebounders in years--maybe since the Buck Williams era? You'd be looking at marginal improvement, at best, depending on which big you'd have to give up to get him.

Right now, depending on what happens the rest of the season, I'd prefer to resign Diop, let Boki go, and try to S&T Krstic for a piece that fits better.
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But with Brand you have a legitimate top-flight big man who is excellent at both ends of the floor, was a legitimate MVP candidate and is a solid citizen. He's also just about to turn 29, so he's just entering his prime.

If the goal is to win a title, it's very important to have a guy like that.

The Nets have a lot of draft picks and other assets. They are in a great position to get quality depth. It's also better to have the centerpiece in place before deciding who the role players should be.

Brand is a player who would not be available if he were on another team. If he's really on the block, this is a rare opportunity.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NOMAM @ Feb 29 2008, 09:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>But could you get Brand without giving up RJ though?

Look at the assets the Nets could use in a trade:

2 Dallas first round picks
2 possible future Nets first round picks
Sean Williams
Marcus Williams

Salary filler

Swift (6 million expiring next season)
Hassell
Ager

Nets could put together some attractive combo with those pieces. Only negative in there would would be Hassell's contract which won't expire next season.</div>

Will Ratner go over the luxury tax? I doubt it.

 

Pass.

Dude is coming off a surgically repaired Achilles tendon, yeah hes 29 but that ain't that young in the sports world, is there a guarantee he is going to be the old Brand?

RJ and Marcus is enough IMO, taking on Brand and hoping he will bounce back is enough risk without giving up Sean or Boone.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FOMW @ Feb 29 2008, 09:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpy @ Feb 29 2008, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I would hate this move. I think we'd then be back to signing unproductive vets to fill out the roster in the hope that they're the "missing piece," and continually stall out before we get to the finals.</div>

Dumpy, what's your personal vision for the team for the next few years? Are you in favor of making a big move before 2010? If the group they have now could be a 4-6 seed the next two years in the playoffs, would that be enough for you?
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to follow up, I'd be really concerned that making a three-for-one type deal would put us back to where we've been for the past few years--desperately trying to fill the roster with capable veterans on one-year deals and failing miserably, and praying that our "big three" stay healthy all season so we can make the playoffs and possibly do some damage. The Nets front office has failed to demonstrate that they can identify misused, available talent and sign low-cost free agents that can be productive. There was Mikki, but even a blind squirrel can find an acorn, as one of my professors used to say. The Nets seem to need another impact player to contend with Boston and Detroit right now, but I'd prefer to upgrade the bench as much as possible, because the bench, as a whole, plays as much per game as each one of your starters--and that's if they are all healthy. Big men typically get hurt more often than PGs or wings, and Brand is coming off a major injury as is.

I guess I prefer to build a team the way Golden State and Portland have--with capable players up and down the roster who know their roles, instead of a star-based system surrounded by ancillary parts.

When the Nets began to start Boone and Sean together, it marked the future. It is pretty hard to find a team that has been successful starting two players in the frontcourt with a combined one year or so of experience, but it could pay off in a year or two.

My "vision" if you could use that word, if for a core of Devin-Marcus-Carter-Boone-Sean. I think the Marcus-Devin PG tandem could be devastating much like the Toronto combo. In addition, the Nets have been trying to find a cpabale backup PG for so long, I fear for what would happen if they'd have to begin that search again. As we've discussed, we both think carter's demise has been greatly exagerrated. I'd consider dealing RJ, but wouldn't give him away. His defense is eroding, and I think his offense will start to decline gradually as he ages a little more. The problem with dealing RJ is that if you just get back a kid and a pick, you are really going to make it tough to make the playoffs, and I don't think the team needs to completely retool like that. I'm really digging Hassell--his shooting is WAY better than advertised--and I'd look to keep him for awhile. I'd get rid of Boki and Krstic. I think they are a dime-a-dozen on offense and a weak link on defense. There are a lot of marginal college kids and D-leaguers who can't jump, can't rebound, can't really dunk, but can hit a mid-range jump shot. Krstic's only advantage over them is that he may be two or three inches taller. Big deal. I'd try to draft someone like RJ was back in 2001--the fastest kid who plays strong defense.

 

There aren't many big men left in the league who play back to the basket and can get off a good shot in the paint by themselves. More and more "bigs" are face up guys from 15-17 or long, mobile guys who play pick and roll. In that sense, there really won't be another opportunity like this for quite a while.

There's a second possibility, however. If the Clips are determined to keep both Maggette and Brand, they may feel they can trade Kaman. Kaman turns 26 in April, has improved each season (more or less) and is averaging career highs this year in points (16.2), rebounds (13.3), and blocks (3.0!). He's no Brand, but he would improve the Nets' inside offensive presence significantly. He's got 4 years left on his deal, starting at $9.5M next year.

It seems a reasonable offer might be Marcus, Swift, and one of Boone/Krstic. The bonus in this arrangement is that you could keep RJ and really try to make a run the next two years.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Dark Defender @ Feb 29 2008, 10:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Pass.

Dude is coming off a surgically repaired Achilles tendon, yeah hes 29 but that ain't that young in the sports world, is there a guarantee he is going to be the old Brand?

RJ and Marcus is enough IMO, taking on Brand and hoping he will bounce back is enough risk without giving up Sean or Boone.</div>

Half the players in the league have missed significant time with some kind of injury, including RJ.

I think it's a bigger risk to pass up a chance to buy a player like this when his value is its lowest.

 

BTW, for those unaware, the Clippers are on ESPN right now going up against the Nuggets.

ETA: Kaman out, though. I think he had an appendectomy recently?