If you’re the Nets….

Trade Brook Lopez.

Between him and Thad Young, I think he can help give the team the best chance of rebuilding logically. You gotta make the move and let him go while you can for as many assets as you can. The Celtics (it would be awesome if they trade back the Nets pick back to the Nets lol) come to mind with young players and picks.

Trade Brook Lopez.

Between him and Thad Young, I think he can help give the team the best chance of rebuilding logically. You gotta make the move and let him go while you can for as many assets as you can. The Celtics (it would be awesome if they trade back the Nets pick back to the Nets lol) come to mind with young players and picks.

Since the Nets have fubarred themselves until essentially 2019, perhaps they can go international instead.  The Russian owner can make the Nets the first true international NBA team but poaching some of the best Euro and Chinese players.  There have to be some D-League talent that can hang in the NBA and maybe help win a few games.  Seriously, get a big Chinese center or two, some talented Euro wings, and scan the D-League’s endless supply of almost-made-it-but-just-missed guards.  It could be a made for Disney movie if it works out:  "The Bad News Kalashnikovs".

Since the Nets have fubarred themselves until essentially 2019, perhaps they can go international instead.  The Russian owner can make the Nets the first true international NBA team but poaching some of the best Euro and Chinese players.  There have to be some D-League talent that can hang in the NBA and maybe help win a few games.  Seriously, get a big Chinese center or two, some talented Euro wings, and scan the D-League’s endless supply of almost-made-it-but-just-missed guards.  It could be a made for Disney movie if it works out:  "The Bad News Kalashnikovs".

I would try to trade Thad young/maybe jarret jack for Ty Lawson and Terrence jones. Lawson has fallen out of favor in Houston and isn’t a good fit and jones has been put behind capela. I believe Lawson can still be a high impact player like he was the past few seasons in Denver and Terrence jones has a lot of talent and physical tools I think he can put together and blossom on a rebuilding team in Brooklyn. Thad young would be the stretch 4/ defender Houston wants as he’s a Paul millsap lite

I would try to trade Thad young/maybe jarret jack for Ty Lawson and Terrence jones. Lawson has fallen out of favor in Houston and isn’t a good fit and jones has been put behind capela. I believe Lawson can still be a high impact player like he was the past few seasons in Denver and Terrence jones has a lot of talent and physical tools I think he can put together and blossom on a rebuilding team in Brooklyn. Thad young would be the stretch 4/ defender Houston wants as he’s a Paul millsap lite

 I ask the NBA Brass can we combine with the SIXERS and form one decent team. Other than that its years of Basement dwelling.  

Guards: Ish Smith, Nik Staskus (UGH) Wayne Ellington (Really?)

Forwards : Joe Johnson, Robert Covington Thad Young; Nerlens Noel

Centers Brook Lopez ;Jahil Okafor

Who am i kidding thats still a terrible team!!

 I ask the NBA Brass can we combine with the SIXERS and form one decent team. Other than that its years of Basement dwelling.  

Guards: Ish Smith, Nik Staskus (UGH) Wayne Ellington (Really?)

Forwards : Joe Johnson, Robert Covington Thad Young; Nerlens Noel

Centers Brook Lopez ;Jahil Okafor

Who am i kidding thats still a terrible team!!

 Put all your money the next summer in Conley+Horford. 

 Put all your money the next summer in Conley+Horford. 

 Trade Lopez and Young for teams looking to consolidate players. They still have Boston’s pick next year, so they do have the chance to draft a young player.

Everyone is being myoptic with the Nets situation. I see a lot of people talking about them trying to add medling talent just to make those Boston picks less enticing, but why set your team back just to make an already horrific trade less horrific? They should do what the 76’ers are doing, scour the D-League and 2nd round in the drafts, hope to find 2-3 NBA players, and trade Lopez and Young for 1st round picks.

They already have RHJ as a good piece, so adding 2-3 more 1st round picks to the roster would really propel the team in a better direction than they would be on if they signed slightly above average veteran players. It they were to do that your just looking to rebuild in 3 years anyway, so just jump the gun now. 

 Trade Lopez and Young for teams looking to consolidate players. They still have Boston’s pick next year, so they do have the chance to draft a young player.

Everyone is being myoptic with the Nets situation. I see a lot of people talking about them trying to add medling talent just to make those Boston picks less enticing, but why set your team back just to make an already horrific trade less horrific? They should do what the 76’ers are doing, scour the D-League and 2nd round in the drafts, hope to find 2-3 NBA players, and trade Lopez and Young for 1st round picks.

They already have RHJ as a good piece, so adding 2-3 more 1st round picks to the roster would really propel the team in a better direction than they would be on if they signed slightly above average veteran players. It they were to do that your just looking to rebuild in 3 years anyway, so just jump the gun now. 

Theyll never get enough high draft picks to start rebuilding with youth…even if they trade Lopez and Young.

What can you really achieve by rebuilding around a single late lottery pick with a bunch of D Leaguers for 2 or 3 years. 

Keep Young, Lopez and then find a few NBA journeymen to make the team competitive next season. Guys like Delly are free agents. Overpay on short contracts. Start the youth movement when they can actually get a series of lottery picks playing together.

But trading Young and Lopez…might get you the 10th and 25th picks…and thats it for a few years. You cant build around that.

Theyll never get enough high draft picks to start rebuilding with youth…even if they trade Lopez and Young.

What can you really achieve by rebuilding around a single late lottery pick with a bunch of D Leaguers for 2 or 3 years. 

Keep Young, Lopez and then find a few NBA journeymen to make the team competitive next season. Guys like Delly are free agents. Overpay on short contracts. Start the youth movement when they can actually get a series of lottery picks playing together.

But trading Young and Lopez…might get you the 10th and 25th picks…and thats it for a few years. You cant build around that.

They’ve really got to swing for the fences on their second round picks, they’ll be early second rounders so some high upside talent might be there (GPII? Zhou Qi? Taurean Prince? Pascal Siakam? Selden?). They’re not competing right now so they should be drafting for upside even if it’s a long shot. They should not be looking for specialist role players.

Similarly, they should be scooping up high upside undrafted players. Admittedly, these players aren’t too common but guys like Christian Wood, Chris Walker (I know nobody is high on him anymore but what is there to loose?). Or former 2nd rounders who are in the D League or over seas (what is Semaj Christon up to now?) What if they signed Perry Jones and forced him to play decent minutes? Trying anything is better than trying nothing.

They should trade Brook while his stock is solid for some young prospects, maybe they could get a combination of Myers Leonard, Allan Crabbe and a late 1st or something? Or try to work something out with Thad Young and Shabazz Muhammad? Take on Martin or Pekovic and buy them out if you have to. I’m just spitballing here…

They’ve got to really develop Hollis-Jefferson, and McCullough was a good high upside pick who could do something next year. A lot of people thought McCullough has lottery talent and I’ll admit I was quite intrigued with him before he went down with his injury.

They’ve really got to swing for the fences on their second round picks, they’ll be early second rounders so some high upside talent might be there (GPII? Zhou Qi? Taurean Prince? Pascal Siakam? Selden?). They’re not competing right now so they should be drafting for upside even if it’s a long shot. They should not be looking for specialist role players.

Similarly, they should be scooping up high upside undrafted players. Admittedly, these players aren’t too common but guys like Christian Wood, Chris Walker (I know nobody is high on him anymore but what is there to loose?). Or former 2nd rounders who are in the D League or over seas (what is Semaj Christon up to now?) What if they signed Perry Jones and forced him to play decent minutes? Trying anything is better than trying nothing.

They should trade Brook while his stock is solid for some young prospects, maybe they could get a combination of Myers Leonard, Allan Crabbe and a late 1st or something? Or try to work something out with Thad Young and Shabazz Muhammad? Take on Martin or Pekovic and buy them out if you have to. I’m just spitballing here…

They’ve got to really develop Hollis-Jefferson, and McCullough was a good high upside pick who could do something next year. A lot of people thought McCullough has lottery talent and I’ll admit I was quite intrigued with him before he went down with his injury.

I recently posted a 3 way trade idea on the NBA thread rather than this NBA draft one, but it got surrounded by posts of spam, guys selling ripped credit card numbers and Mandarin text, so I don’t think it got many real looks.. it didn’t get negged as I expected anyway.

I’ll post it again in another message below. I acknowledge its unrealistic to think divisional and conference rivals would agree, its a large trade, and it may not necessarily do much for the Nets, but its still an idea. For the record, I think Thad Young wanted to be there, so that’s at least a start, so although he’s one of their few assets, I wouldn’t move him.

I don’t think there is an easy fix…

Trade idea to be posted below..

I recently posted a 3 way trade idea on the NBA thread rather than this NBA draft one, but it got surrounded by posts of spam, guys selling ripped credit card numbers and Mandarin text, so I don’t think it got many real looks.. it didn’t get negged as I expected anyway.

I’ll post it again in another message below. I acknowledge its unrealistic to think divisional and conference rivals would agree, its a large trade, and it may not necessarily do much for the Nets, but its still an idea. For the record, I think Thad Young wanted to be there, so that’s at least a start, so although he’s one of their few assets, I wouldn’t move him.

I don’t think there is an easy fix…

Trade idea to be posted below..

As mentioned in the message above, this is a re-posted trade idea that involves the Nets

Boston
Give up David Lee (16 m expiring), Smart, Zeller
Get Joakim Noah (13m 1expiring), Mike Dunleavy

Chicago give up Rose, Noah and Dunleavy
Get Joe Johnson (24m expiring), David Lee (16m expiring), Tyler Zeller and Marcus Smart

Brooklyn
Gives up Joe Johnson (24m expiring)
Gets Derrick Rose (2 yrs 20m per year)

Works in trade machine

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=zg65r7m

I figure Boston has to start moving assets and turning them into pieces that are ready to win now. They need a real 5 man. They have Olynyk, Sullinger, Amir Johnson and Zeller at the moment, but these guys don’t seem to be the answer. Zeller is looking like a career backup and the others are power forwards doing their best. Joakim Noah is a heart and soul player and a real 5 man. He has dropped off some, but I think this may breathe new life into him.

Brooklyn are a mess and need to do something because they have no draft pick and what appears to be little on offer roster wise to entice a free agent. Jack is out for the year, I think they can get Rose for Johnson straight up. A bargain if Rose can produce again, and worth the risk for the Nets.

I think Chicago knows they are staring down the barrel of paying Rose 40m for the next two years and its safer to move him. Smart comes across from Boston and gives them his replacement. Zeller gets to be Pau’s backup, but they can give the majority of big man minutes to Pau, Mirotic, Gibson and Portis. Joe Johnson gives them an experienced wing to pair with Butler, and even if he is on the decline, it doesn’t matter because his 24m comes off the cap, as does David Lee’s 16m, giving Chicago monster cap room.

Celtics
Thomas – Bradley – Crowder – Olynyk – Noah
Rozier – Hunter – Young – Turner – Sullinger – Johnson – Dunleavy – Mickey
Still have Brooklyn’s pick

Nets
Rose – Bogdanovic – Hollis-Jefferson – Young – Lopez

Bulls
Smart – Butler- Johnson – Mirotic – Gasol
Hinrich – Snell – McDermott – Gibson – Portis – Lee – Zeller

Besides the fact this is ridiculously large and teams don’t often trade within division/conference, I think at least some of these pieces would like to be moved by their teams even if its in less complicated deals. What do fans of these teams think? Would you be happy if your team was on the receiving end of this deal?

As mentioned in the message above, this is a re-posted trade idea that involves the Nets

Boston
Give up David Lee (16 m expiring), Smart, Zeller
Get Joakim Noah (13m 1expiring), Mike Dunleavy

Chicago give up Rose, Noah and Dunleavy
Get Joe Johnson (24m expiring), David Lee (16m expiring), Tyler Zeller and Marcus Smart

Brooklyn
Gives up Joe Johnson (24m expiring)
Gets Derrick Rose (2 yrs 20m per year)

Works in trade machine

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=zg65r7m

I figure Boston has to start moving assets and turning them into pieces that are ready to win now. They need a real 5 man. They have Olynyk, Sullinger, Amir Johnson and Zeller at the moment, but these guys don’t seem to be the answer. Zeller is looking like a career backup and the others are power forwards doing their best. Joakim Noah is a heart and soul player and a real 5 man. He has dropped off some, but I think this may breathe new life into him.

Brooklyn are a mess and need to do something because they have no draft pick and what appears to be little on offer roster wise to entice a free agent. Jack is out for the year, I think they can get Rose for Johnson straight up. A bargain if Rose can produce again, and worth the risk for the Nets.

I think Chicago knows they are staring down the barrel of paying Rose 40m for the next two years and its safer to move him. Smart comes across from Boston and gives them his replacement. Zeller gets to be Pau’s backup, but they can give the majority of big man minutes to Pau, Mirotic, Gibson and Portis. Joe Johnson gives them an experienced wing to pair with Butler, and even if he is on the decline, it doesn’t matter because his 24m comes off the cap, as does David Lee’s 16m, giving Chicago monster cap room.

Celtics
Thomas – Bradley – Crowder – Olynyk – Noah
Rozier – Hunter – Young – Turner – Sullinger – Johnson – Dunleavy – Mickey
Still have Brooklyn’s pick

Nets
Rose – Bogdanovic – Hollis-Jefferson – Young – Lopez

Bulls
Smart – Butler- Johnson – Mirotic – Gasol
Hinrich – Snell – McDermott – Gibson – Portis – Lee – Zeller

Besides the fact this is ridiculously large and teams don’t often trade within division/conference, I think at least some of these pieces would like to be moved by their teams even if its in less complicated deals. What do fans of these teams think? Would you be happy if your team was on the receiving end of this deal?

Rather than trying to outbid other teams for future FA, I think they need to find some good value, under the radar FA. Unwanted/little used players who’s production would be better than their actual salary if given a chance at some decent minutes.

They need to find the next good players who didn’t get a good start in their careers – eg. Whiteside, Afflalo, Billups, Middleton, Tobias Harris etc.

Young players like Archie Goodwin, McGary, Dinwiddie, Withey, TJones, Motie, Corey Jo, Norris Cole, John Jenkins, JLamb, John Henson, Jokic, Meyers Leonard, Wroten. You can get 4-5 of these guys rather than paying Harrison Barnes $20mill per year….. The Spurs are very good at developing players, could look at Boban, Kyle Anderson, Ray McCallum

Rather than trying to outbid other teams for future FA, I think they need to find some good value, under the radar FA. Unwanted/little used players who’s production would be better than their actual salary if given a chance at some decent minutes.

They need to find the next good players who didn’t get a good start in their careers – eg. Whiteside, Afflalo, Billups, Middleton, Tobias Harris etc.

Young players like Archie Goodwin, McGary, Dinwiddie, Withey, TJones, Motie, Corey Jo, Norris Cole, John Jenkins, JLamb, John Henson, Jokic, Meyers Leonard, Wroten. You can get 4-5 of these guys rather than paying Harrison Barnes $20mill per year….. The Spurs are very good at developing players, could look at Boban, Kyle Anderson, Ray McCallum

 Nets are in big trouble, but they did give it a shot and can’t complain that the owners won’t spend.  The spending and trading was just too risky, but that is what happens with Billy King around.

They have no chance at a deep playoff run, for a while, unless they start signing LeBron and Durant.  So they either sign veterans around Lopez and Thad and try for the 8th playoff spot the next few years, or they trade their veterans and lose a lot but have a fun and young team for a few years and then start adding future stars when they get their own picks back.

I think they will sign veterans, as Joe Johnson and J Jack have contracts that end, and if Lopez stays healthy they are a chance to grab the last playoff spot next season.

If it was me, I would just do things to help for when hitting rock bottom in 2019, so get some young players and future picks onto the list of assets.  

 Nets are in big trouble, but they did give it a shot and can’t complain that the owners won’t spend.  The spending and trading was just too risky, but that is what happens with Billy King around.

They have no chance at a deep playoff run, for a while, unless they start signing LeBron and Durant.  So they either sign veterans around Lopez and Thad and try for the 8th playoff spot the next few years, or they trade their veterans and lose a lot but have a fun and young team for a few years and then start adding future stars when they get their own picks back.

I think they will sign veterans, as Joe Johnson and J Jack have contracts that end, and if Lopez stays healthy they are a chance to grab the last playoff spot next season.

If it was me, I would just do things to help for when hitting rock bottom in 2019, so get some young players and future picks onto the list of assets.  

 So everyone thinks the Nets should just treadmill it until 2019, and then blow it up and rebuild? That sounds horrible. Like I mentioned above they should implore the same strategy that the team who they traded all their picks to, the Boston Celtics. 

The Celtics unloaded thier main guys for picks, and then used all the cap space they had in trades that took on salary, and aquaired assetts in the process. That’s how they aquired Thomas, Zeller, Hunter, Crowder, and Jerebko, as well as a boat load of additional 1st round and 2nd round picks. The Nets should def. try that rout out before they try and become the 2005-2013 Bucks…

Sure they won’t get a #1 overall pick for Lopez or Young, but both will fetch you either a decent pick or young player, and that’s where the Nets need to be looking. Look into guys like Dennis Shroader, Oubre Jr., or Tobias Harris. If not, remember that talent such as Jimmy Butler, Paul George, and Kawhii Leonard all can be found outside of the early lottery. 

I’m just shocked that so many people are saying they should just ride this out till the end. 

 So everyone thinks the Nets should just treadmill it until 2019, and then blow it up and rebuild? That sounds horrible. Like I mentioned above they should implore the same strategy that the team who they traded all their picks to, the Boston Celtics. 

The Celtics unloaded thier main guys for picks, and then used all the cap space they had in trades that took on salary, and aquaired assetts in the process. That’s how they aquired Thomas, Zeller, Hunter, Crowder, and Jerebko, as well as a boat load of additional 1st round and 2nd round picks. The Nets should def. try that rout out before they try and become the 2005-2013 Bucks…

Sure they won’t get a #1 overall pick for Lopez or Young, but both will fetch you either a decent pick or young player, and that’s where the Nets need to be looking. Look into guys like Dennis Shroader, Oubre Jr., or Tobias Harris. If not, remember that talent such as Jimmy Butler, Paul George, and Kawhii Leonard all can be found outside of the early lottery. 

I’m just shocked that so many people are saying they should just ride this out till the end. 

My plan for the Nets would be:

Sign Conley 80×5 (Reggie Jackson contract), Horford 80×4 (Brook Lopez contract), trade Young for expiring contracts (and maybe a low pick) and re-sign Johnson for 10×2. 

PG: Conley

SG: Bogdanovic, M.Brown

SF: Johnson, RHJ

PF: Horford, McCullogh

C: Lopez

This estructure would be around 65-70 millions, with cap rising to 89 and the luxury tax over 100 Nets has plenty space to operate.

Finding a taker for Young wouldn’t be difficult, he has an average contract and fits in the mold of an strech-PF that is what everybody wants in their team. Charlotte, Indiana, Portland or Washington would be willing to get him in exchange for expiring contracts.

I guess Larkin, Bargnani, Ellington and Robinson will opt out.

I would sign Stephenson on a low contract, he is from Brooklyn and he would like to prove he is still useful. 6×2 with a player option for the second year would be reasonable.

One of the biggest needs would be a good center to back-up Lopez, who in the past had some injury issues. Jason Smith would a very good candidate, he is strong and he can produce from mid-range. An Aaron Baynes contract would be ok for him (18×3).

Then you have to find a strech-PF. Teletovic has proven his aim in Phoenix and knows the city and the team. Why not getting him back? A 15×3 would work for him.

The final piece would be a combo guard. Jarred Bayless would be the perfect candidate. I think you can get it with a 20×3 contract.

All of these movements adding some vets like Jamal Crawford and Chris Andersen plus a second-round PG like Tyler Ulis complete a very good roster which could be easy competing for the 2-4 seed.

PG: Conley, Bayless, Ulis

SG: Bogdanovic, Stephenson, M.Brown

SF: Johnson, RHJ, J.Crawford

PF: Horford, Teletovic, McCullogh

C: Lopez, Smith, Andersen

My plan for the Nets would be:

Sign Conley 80×5 (Reggie Jackson contract), Horford 80×4 (Brook Lopez contract), trade Young for expiring contracts (and maybe a low pick) and re-sign Johnson for 10×2. 

PG: Conley

SG: Bogdanovic, M.Brown

SF: Johnson, RHJ

PF: Horford, McCullogh

C: Lopez

This estructure would be around 65-70 millions, with cap rising to 89 and the luxury tax over 100 Nets has plenty space to operate.

Finding a taker for Young wouldn’t be difficult, he has an average contract and fits in the mold of an strech-PF that is what everybody wants in their team. Charlotte, Indiana, Portland or Washington would be willing to get him in exchange for expiring contracts.

I guess Larkin, Bargnani, Ellington and Robinson will opt out.

I would sign Stephenson on a low contract, he is from Brooklyn and he would like to prove he is still useful. 6×2 with a player option for the second year would be reasonable.

One of the biggest needs would be a good center to back-up Lopez, who in the past had some injury issues. Jason Smith would a very good candidate, he is strong and he can produce from mid-range. An Aaron Baynes contract would be ok for him (18×3).

Then you have to find a strech-PF. Teletovic has proven his aim in Phoenix and knows the city and the team. Why not getting him back? A 15×3 would work for him.

The final piece would be a combo guard. Jarred Bayless would be the perfect candidate. I think you can get it with a 20×3 contract.

All of these movements adding some vets like Jamal Crawford and Chris Andersen plus a second-round PG like Tyler Ulis complete a very good roster which could be easy competing for the 2-4 seed.

PG: Conley, Bayless, Ulis

SG: Bogdanovic, Stephenson, M.Brown

SF: Johnson, RHJ, J.Crawford

PF: Horford, Teletovic, McCullogh

C: Lopez, Smith, Andersen

Obviously, you try to swing big in free agency (ie. Whiteside and Durant), but I doubt that works. As a backup, I would try to sign Conley to a long term contract (a good point guard would really help that team) and then try and sign some lower level free agents to two year deals even if you have to overpay on an annual basis to get them to take a shorter deal. I would target Bazemore, Deng, Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Affalo, Stephenson, and Scola (obviously, they will not sign all and not sign certain combinations). If they cannot get Conley I would target Rondo, Evan Turner, and Brandon Jennings on a two year deal. The reason I would want to limit deals to two years is so they would have maximum cap room in 2019. Since so many teams will have cap room the next two years, I think cap room will be more valuable then. 

Being bad now is not a good strategy because they do not control their draft picks, so they gain nothing from being bad. Also, teams are probably going to be reluctant to part with picks until the cap stabilizes, so I do not think they will speed up the rebuild by trading Lopez or Young. They just will not get enough assets to do that. If they spend to succeed in the short term, they can sell to free agents in two years that they are a club that is willing to do what it takes to win (free agents care about winning now, not your plan to win big in three years). 

Finally, I think it is key they get a coach players will want to play for. If they are truly willing to spend to win, I would invest heavily in a top flight coach.

Obviously, you try to swing big in free agency (ie. Whiteside and Durant), but I doubt that works. As a backup, I would try to sign Conley to a long term contract (a good point guard would really help that team) and then try and sign some lower level free agents to two year deals even if you have to overpay on an annual basis to get them to take a shorter deal. I would target Bazemore, Deng, Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Affalo, Stephenson, and Scola (obviously, they will not sign all and not sign certain combinations). If they cannot get Conley I would target Rondo, Evan Turner, and Brandon Jennings on a two year deal. The reason I would want to limit deals to two years is so they would have maximum cap room in 2019. Since so many teams will have cap room the next two years, I think cap room will be more valuable then. 

Being bad now is not a good strategy because they do not control their draft picks, so they gain nothing from being bad. Also, teams are probably going to be reluctant to part with picks until the cap stabilizes, so I do not think they will speed up the rebuild by trading Lopez or Young. They just will not get enough assets to do that. If they spend to succeed in the short term, they can sell to free agents in two years that they are a club that is willing to do what it takes to win (free agents care about winning now, not your plan to win big in three years). 

Finally, I think it is key they get a coach players will want to play for. If they are truly willing to spend to win, I would invest heavily in a top flight coach.