<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., June 27 ? The wall above the front desk at the Nets? practice facility is bare, except for three signed jerseys with names that, for three years, have represented the backbone of the franchise: Jefferson, Kidd, Carter.The Nets? president, Rod Thorn, said Wednesday that the three are likely to stay together as he spoke about the team?s plans for its first-round pick, No. 17 over all, in Thursday night?s N.B.A. draft.And once again, the Nets will be searching for a midround pick that can help lift them back into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, a place they have not been since two straight appearances in the N.B.A. finals, in 2002 and 2003.Thorn said the Nets expected Carter to opt out of his contract, which would pay him $16.3 million to remain with the team next season. But Thorn added that Carter and the Nets expressed interest in reaching a new agreement.Kurt Schoeppler, Carter?s agent, did not return a call seeking comment.Thorn also dismissed the idea that the Nets would trade Jefferson to the Portland Trail Blazers for Zach Randolph.?We have not had any substantive talks with anyone regarding Zach Randolph at this time,? he said. ?I would not anticipate something like that transpiring.?That leaves the Nets in a position similar to where they were, with the same core, before the 2006 draft. Their highest pick was Marcus Williams at No. 22, and the 2005 draft, when their first-round choice was Antoine Wright, at No. 15.Thorn said the Nets were focusing on six players they thought could be available for their only pick in this draft, at No. 17.The Nets were impressed by Sean Williams, a 6-foot-10, 235-pound forward/center who could help with rebounding and shot-blocking. He was charged with marijuana possession his freshman year at Boston College and was dismissed from the team in his junior year after repeated violations of team rules.?Athletically, I don?t know that there are two, three or four guys in the draft better than this guy,? Thorn said.Sean Williams would be the second consecutive first-round pick for the Nets who had off-court transgressions. Marcus Williams was arrested and charged with the theft of four laptop computers while at Connecticut.The Nets also could go after Colorado State?s Jason Smith, Louisiana State?s Glen Davis and Duke?s Josh McRoberts, all front-court players. But Thorn also said three of his top six choices were wing players. And the Nets could choose to take the player they think is the best available, regardless of position, like they did last year when Marcus Williams slipped to No. 22.No matter what strategy the Nets take Thursday night, they are likely to have the familiar core next season ? Kidd, Carter and Jefferson ? with a supporting cast that will include center Nenad Krstic, provided he recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.And if that middle first-round pick pays off, they may have another signed jersey to hang above the front desk.Next Article in Sports (20 of 26) ?</div>
I'm a bit surprised by this. Thorn should know by now that the group of Kidd/Carter/Krstic/Jefferson is probably at best a conference final team. They have huge issues with rebounding and Randolph would certainly fill that void. Plus RJ isn't going to get any better with Vince in NJ, so why not just deal him and get a guy who could help you more.
The Nets need to get rid of Carter/Jefferson and get somebody much better for the team. RJ needs to be the main man, or he needs to be traded.Not saying that because I'm a Raptors fan.^
I guess no one wants Randolph on their team. Your trading a quality locker room guy like Jefferson, for Randolph, teams also build on character nowadays, something in the long run improves a team. Im guessing that what they did here, because if you break the trade down, its great for both teams. Randolph is a 20/10 guy, hes perfect for the Nets, thats the void thats missing in the lineup. Same thing with Portland, they are missing a legit SF, and Jefferson is that and more. Theres really no other explanation other than the one im saying, because youd have to be nuts not to pull this off. The salaries match too, ( around 14 M difference, in which any other player can fill that void) so theres really no other reason not to make this trade.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (_Raptors_ @ Jun 28 2007, 11:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Nets need to get rid of Carter/Jefferson and get somebody much better for the team. RJ needs to be the main man, or he needs to be traded.Not saying that because I'm a Raptors fan.^</div>Only reason they don't want to trade Carter is because Kidd has supposedly rumored he would demand a trade if Carter was traded. So it's either possibly lose Carter and Kidd, or just lose Jefferson.
