Thorn Wants 2, But Will We Get Any?
by Sebastian Pruiti
Jun 30, 2009 2010 Offseason, Brook Lopez, Brooklyn, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Courtney Lee, Devin Harris, Free Agents, Jay-Z, Rod Thorn, Terrence Williams
Here is audio from Rod Thorn’s conference call:
(Remove the audio player – it played automatically and it was getting annoying)
If the above player doesn’t work, click the link here. It is a pretty interesting listen, so if you get the time, check it out. The big thing that I took from this conference call is that Rod Thorn is going to be willing to spend in 2010. Thorn said that if he chooses, the Nets can offer two-max contracts. Having money is just half of the equation though, players are going to have to want to come to Nets (notice I didn’t say New Jersey).
Will that happen (I know this is real early to start talking about this, but this a much talked about topic among Nets fans)? Pessimistic Nets fans (and there are a lot of them) will tell you that it won’t. They will say things like “When have the Nets ever signed a big time free agent?” Or “Why would LeBron or anyone want to come to the Nets if they are still in NJ?”
Maybe I am just an optimist, but I think all that is a load of bull. Yes, I know the Nets haven’t signed a big time free agent in recent memory, but when have they been in position too? For as long as I can remember, the Nets have had a solid core of playmakers (Kidd, Martin, RJ, and Vince Carter have all been a part of the Nets at some point), and haven’t really had a need to go get a big-time free agent. They were always adding veterans who were supposed to be (excuse me for using a now tired theme after this draft) pieces to a puzzles, and it worked for the most part. The Nets were always in the playoff hunt, and while they were never seriously considered championship contenders, they were always competitive.
Despite this competitiveness, Thorn wanted a title team, so he decided to re-tool and start a youth movement. Brook Lopez, CDR, Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, and Terrence Williams are all under 25, and they are going to be big parts of the team this year. Despite the fact that we might be terrible next year as these young guys learn how to play, the future looks bright. Real bright. When looking at this young core (we also get 2 first round picks next year), a big-time free agent might see themselves as the guy who put them over the top. Take into account that most of the big free agents in 2010 are buddy-buddy, once one signs we might be able to snag another. Just imagine Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh joining up with Devin Harris and Brook Lopez. What free agent wouldn’t want to be a part of that team?
As for the whole Brooklyn/NJ thing. Brooklyn is going to happen, whether it be for 2 years from now or 3, it is going to happen. Now if Thorn can guarantee these potential free agents at least 1 year in Brooklyn (by this, I mean that we would need to at least break ground before next offseason), then in my opinion this won’t even be a factor.
One final thing I wanted to touch on that negative fans choose to ignore all of the time is our part owner. Yup, I am talking about Jay-Z. In our era, Jay-Z is an icon, a legend. A lot of these players would love to be able to say that they are playing for Jay-Z and having him watching all of their games. It is already common knowledge that Jay-Z and LeBron are BFF, and I am sure that Hova would be willing to use his “charm” to try to convince players to come over and play for the Nets.
When you combine all of these factors then add in all of the money, I think there is a very good chance that we land a top tier free agent in 2010. If not two.
Tags: 2010, Basketball, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Hova, Jay-Z, LeBron James, NBA, NJ Nets
June 30th, 2009 at 9:42 AM
I don’t get rebuilding a whole lot. Most of the time teams stockpile like 12 young guys with some potential, but never hold on to them in the long run. The teams that actually make the leap from rebuilding to contenders are the ones that get veterans on board. So that to me is what we should think like, view young players and draft picks as trade bait, not as the entire base of our future team
June 30th, 2009 at 11:37 AM
I think we’re doing fantastic, actually. I would argue that Devin/CDR/T-Will/Brook is a better set of complementary players right now for the 2010 class (hopefully 2 out of LeBron, DWade, Bosh, Dirk, and Amare) than any of those guys’ current teams (unless someone would be willing to argue that LeBron, for example, would rather play with Mo/Delonte/Varejao/Ilgauskas for the next 7 years rather than our 4 guys)
Rebuilding is definitely about maximizing your opportunities to make a big splash for the top free agents, and I think Rod has been on top of his game in putting us in position for 2010.
June 30th, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Thanks for the comments guys. I agree with Stan on this one, we have a terrific young core, and I think any big free agent would love to play with a team like ours.
@Mark Wu – A lot of teams don’t really rebuild, they retool. Continuing to add pieces, which is what we did for a really long time, but Rod saw 2010 as an opportunity to get two big time players and I think that is part of the reason he is rebuilding now.
June 30th, 2009 at 1:44 PM
I didn’t listen to the conference call, but I think that, with the exception of Bosh — and I say exception only because he’s the only one who’s definitely packing his bags — the Nets stand no chance of signing LeBron or Wade. Those guys are both in title-contending situations and make enough money beyond their contract despite not playing in the NY/NJ market. The rest of the free agent market seems too old/injury-prone to be throwing huge contracts at just because we can.
I think over the long term the VC trade is a good move, but it definitely reeks of salary dump in a weak economy for a team that’s about to abandon its fan base and history.
It’s exciting to think about this young core plus a couple of potential lottery picks coming our way next year. We’re going to play some fast-paced, fun basketball, but this team is likely going to have to stand on its own feet without the aid of one of the Big Three free agents.
June 30th, 2009 at 6:39 PM
One thing that I do hope is that Lawrence Frank is still on board come 2010. Is there anything out there that would signify this coming season as Frank’s “last chance” to at least make us somewhat competitive again or does the FO think he is part of the future as well and they bring him to Brooklyn too?
June 30th, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Sebastian…
your website is real good man. Keep updating. i’ll make sure people keep visiting and reading your input and news updates. You’re doin great with this man.
like you…i’m feeling real good about this youth movement we’re going with in NJ.
I hope we get to see the fast break revitalized with the new kids.
June 30th, 2009 at 11:38 PM
@ Dan – I know it reeks of salary dump, but my motto is In Rod I Trust. I for a fact know that he liked VC too much to trade him away for no reason. I think he is going to take a real shot at signing some big time players next season.
@Nick – I am not really a big Lawrence Frank guy, but I do think he will be here all year. This team has low expectations, so there is no real pressure to win now. I think the fact that it took so long to announce we were bringing him back sends a message Thorn doesn’t really want him.
@NJQuestCat – Thanks for the compliment. It really means a lot. This blog will remain active no doubt. It might slow down from time-to-time (mainly because I don’t think this offseason is going to be too exciting for us). As for the fast break, I am excited for it. While I don’t like coach Frank, he does a good job molding his coaching style around the players he has, so I think he will utilize the fast break.
July 1st, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Responding to the person that mentioned the Nets were never serious championship contenders, being in the finals two years straight, taking the spurs in to the six game,I consider that championship material.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:23 PM
My bad, I actually meant to say in my earlier question that I do NOT want Frank to still be here in 2010 LOL.
My other question is do you think keeping Frank around has more to do with Ownership not wanting to shell out big bucks to bring in a new coach that they think might not do a better job with the current roster than Frank is doing?
July 8th, 2009 at 12:55 AM
@Jorge – I think he meant the years after where we made the playoffs, but weren’t really in contention. Thanks for the comment!
@Nick – I think it had something to do with the money. Because the Nets are stuck with his contract whether they keep him or not. So if they fire him and hire someone else, they are stuck paying two players salaries.