<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ever since acquiring the Clippers' first-round pick in the Martin deal two summers ago, Nets management has been looking forward to next June, when they would get the draft choice. An unprotected first-round pick from the Clippers is usually the NBA equivalent of gold since the they haven't made the playoffs since 1997 and are yearly attendants at the draft lottery in Secaucus. The Nets figured they were either going to land a promising blue-chipper in the draft or package the pick with a star like Carter and some other assets in a potential blockbuster trade for, say, Kevin Garnett. The Nets, armed with two first-round picks, have been calling around the league for big men, and the Clippers' Chris Wilcox, Philadelphia's Steven Hunter and Portland's Theo Ratliff are possibilities. But the value of the Clippers' pick has plummeted. The Nets were able to halt that for at least one night. "Sorry, we will not be in the lottery," Cassell said of the Clippers, who were without Corey Maggette (sprained left foot). "If this team doesn't have injuries, we will not be in the lottery - by far."</div> Source
Whatever happen to the Nets' pursuit of Melvin Ely? I think that he brings much more to the table than Wilcox. A quick comparison between the two will reveal that Wilcox is a hefty 30 pounds lighter than Ely at the same height (while being four years younger than Ely). At 235 pounds, Wilcox will not give the Nets any thing that they do not already have. Ely, however at 261 can come in as someone who can bang down low, allowing the Nets to have the tough big-men mentality that they attempted to instill earlier this season.
Why would the Clippers' be willing to give up Wilcox? They are already thin on the frontline with Rebracca out indefinately. So that would leave Walter McCarty as their only big off the bench..and he takes 25 footers all night. I see no reason why the Clips do a move like that....It would mean they have alot faith in Kaman to stay heathly for the entire year. And then to be a consistent preformer...I doubt they have either. I want Tony Battie from Orlando anyway, I have said it from the start of the year. And my opinion hasnt changed, I think he is a nice fit.
