[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I just need someone to tell me I am overreacting, but am I alone in being incredibly surprised that the Nets apparently have no protection on the pick they gave Utah for Deron Williams? I know that even with all of those players Utah will likely get from the deal that Deron is more than likely going to be by far the best player involved. What I do not know is why he would want to stay on a team with, as it appears, incredibly little talent to build on. Even if they sign a Zach Randolph or David West, that just means you either get no defense with your rebounding or little defense with little rebounding. Lopez has taken a step back this year, and while it may be something he overcomes, we are starting to realize that he is not a player you build your team around. He is a skilled offensive player who is incredibly slow and gets pushed around on the block.

I was wondering if the pick was at all protected, and it appears that it is not. So, this could mean a number of things, it really depends on New Jersey’s final record and if the Jazz get lucky in the lottery. Even so, the Jazz are looking like a lock too pick in the top 5-8. So I am asking, even with the Nets signing a "big name" FA, how are they an attractive team for D-Will to sign with? I think Deron Williams has every right to be worried right now. Look at their team right now: Brook Lopez, Travis Outlaw, Anthony Morrow, Jordan Farmar, Damion James, Kris Humphries and Sasha Vujacic. Throw in Deron Williams, they are still lucky to be an 8-10 seed, not this season either. Hell, throw in West or Randolph, they are a 6 at best with the current East. Plus, they get the distinct pleasure of having no young talent to develop! Now you see why Carmelo was not going to be traded there, Williams just has a year before he has the right to say "Peace". Even if they had kept the pick, who knows what kind of player you are getting this year. Deron Williams is a lot better than Devin Harris, and he has shown the ability to be a franchise type player, but with this group, I think he is in trouble. Again, I may be panicking over nothing, but the Jazz possibly made a slaughter on this deal. I think it will take a miracle in Brooklyn for D-Will to want to stay. Prokhorov and Jigga man better work their magic.

[apb540Participant]

I was very surprised when I saw that they didn’t top 7-10 protect that pick.  Imagine adding someone like Derrick Williams or T-Jones to that roster.  Banking on FA’s is a risky way to go.  Plus i hate it cuz it’s turning the league into a 3rd world country (a few teams that are amazing, weak middle class, and every other team is just piss poor and going to lose their best player to a top tier market.) 

[apb540Participant]

I was very surprised when I saw that they didn’t top 7-10 protect that pick.  Imagine adding someone like Derrick Williams or T-Jones to that roster.  Banking on FA’s is a risky way to go.  Plus i hate it cuz it’s turning the league into a 3rd world country (a few teams that are amazing, weak middle class, and every other team is just piss poor and going to lose their best player to a top tier market.) 

[sheltwon3Participant]

I don’t know, all hype asside are any of those guys that much better than Damien James or anyone at the sf position that NJ can get.  I mean most people are not that hyped about this draft especially if a lot of underclassmen stay in school it will weaken this draft.  I guess this was a gamble that could pay off or could have NJ looking stupid.  Also depending on the new CBA if they suspect Deron Williams of leaving they could trade him to Dallas.  Dallas could never sign him straight up and would probably give up a lot of stuff to get him.

[sheltwon3Participant]

I don’t know, all hype asside are any of those guys that much better than Damien James or anyone at the sf position that NJ can get.  I mean most people are not that hyped about this draft especially if a lot of underclassmen stay in school it will weaken this draft.  I guess this was a gamble that could pay off or could have NJ looking stupid.  Also depending on the new CBA if they suspect Deron Williams of leaving they could trade him to Dallas.  Dallas could never sign him straight up and would probably give up a lot of stuff to get him.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Well, for the first part, yes, they more than likely could get someone better than Damion James in this draft, as they would probably be picking anywhere from 1-7. Damion James is a nice prospect and was a solid pick for them, but I would not hinge my hopes on him as a quality starting SF just yet. Travis is also much better as a back-up and has not really put things together. But, I could see D-Will to Dallas happening, I know that he is from the Dallas area and their were talks of his interest in playing there. It seems like a serious possiblity that they could get a decent package from Dallas, though it would be difficult to say whom exactly Dallas would trade. Still, I think their is really not a lot on New Jersey/Brooklyn right now to be too excited about. Maybe Deron will infuse some life into the team, but even if they sign a decent PF in the off-season, they still have issues on the wing that will more than likely keep them from contending. Ownership and new hopes in Brooklyn could play a huge part in possibly keeping Williams, but they will need to address some issues and I know that by the time D-Will signs that next extension, he will not want to wait to play on a team contending for a title. With the Nets current line-up and prospects, it definitely seems like the clock would be ticking and he might be wasting the prime of his career on a team thats highest aspiration would be as a 4 seed, and I have no idea why he would be alright with doing that as an elite NBA player.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Well, for the first part, yes, they more than likely could get someone better than Damion James in this draft, as they would probably be picking anywhere from 1-7. Damion James is a nice prospect and was a solid pick for them, but I would not hinge my hopes on him as a quality starting SF just yet. Travis is also much better as a back-up and has not really put things together. But, I could see D-Will to Dallas happening, I know that he is from the Dallas area and their were talks of his interest in playing there. It seems like a serious possiblity that they could get a decent package from Dallas, though it would be difficult to say whom exactly Dallas would trade. Still, I think their is really not a lot on New Jersey/Brooklyn right now to be too excited about. Maybe Deron will infuse some life into the team, but even if they sign a decent PF in the off-season, they still have issues on the wing that will more than likely keep them from contending. Ownership and new hopes in Brooklyn could play a huge part in possibly keeping Williams, but they will need to address some issues and I know that by the time D-Will signs that next extension, he will not want to wait to play on a team contending for a title. With the Nets current line-up and prospects, it definitely seems like the clock would be ticking and he might be wasting the prime of his career on a team thats highest aspiration would be as a 4 seed, and I have no idea why he would be alright with doing that as an elite NBA player.

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

They likely had to keep it unprotected to pull off the deal…they are still a solid Sg/Sf and Pf away from looking really good but Williams does have the potential to make the other guys around him better…I think Wright and Lopez are guys that benefit greatly from Deron being there, also Marrow, Outlaw and James could all help out too, think about the Jazz’ roster with Miles, Hayward and an aging Kirelenko…Lopez, Wright and Humpries can be a good trio of bigs if you add a David West or Zac Randolph…they really need a scorer at Sg or a very versatile Sf imo…go after JR Smith or Aaron Affalo and D.West or Zbo in free agency…that team sounds good enough to scare anyone in the east…your forgetting the Celtics are going all in for 2 years and then they’ll be fossils, The Heat need 2 to 3 major pieces to win it all, The Bulls are lacking a great scorer at the 2 and depth at center, the Knicks play no defense and that’s what wins championships, the Magic and Hawks are not getting any better than they are now minus some blockbuster trade, the Sixers, Bucks and Pacers are all searching for key pieces in a league that aims to keep them down, so in reality the Nets are not as far away as some would think, if they can become a legitimately playoff team by next season it can get interesting in New Jersey…

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

They likely had to keep it unprotected to pull off the deal…they are still a solid Sg/Sf and Pf away from looking really good but Williams does have the potential to make the other guys around him better…I think Wright and Lopez are guys that benefit greatly from Deron being there, also Marrow, Outlaw and James could all help out too, think about the Jazz’ roster with Miles, Hayward and an aging Kirelenko…Lopez, Wright and Humpries can be a good trio of bigs if you add a David West or Zac Randolph…they really need a scorer at Sg or a very versatile Sf imo…go after JR Smith or Aaron Affalo and D.West or Zbo in free agency…that team sounds good enough to scare anyone in the east…your forgetting the Celtics are going all in for 2 years and then they’ll be fossils, The Heat need 2 to 3 major pieces to win it all, The Bulls are lacking a great scorer at the 2 and depth at center, the Knicks play no defense and that’s what wins championships, the Magic and Hawks are not getting any better than they are now minus some blockbuster trade, the Sixers, Bucks and Pacers are all searching for key pieces in a league that aims to keep them down, so in reality the Nets are not as far away as some would think, if they can become a legitimately playoff team by next season it can get interesting in New Jersey…

[Author]

Posts