Is Devin Harris On the Block?
While most of the trade talk has focused on the Nets’ expiring contracts, the ESPN’s Chad Ford, over at the TrueHoop mothership introduces a brand new scenario where the Nets could potentially move Devin Harris and an expiring contract or two for an impact player that would help the Nets win now:
The thinking is that if the Nets can land two good players now, that might be better than having to overpay to good players this summer out of desperation.
This tidbit comes on the heels of reports that the Lakers and Rockets had both shown interest in Toronto’s Chris Bosh – one of the big free agents to-be this summer. Such a trade could dramatically alter the free agent landscape this summer because of the “Bird Rights” which allows a player’s current team to offer them the most money in free agency. By moving Bosh (or Wade or LeBron hypothetically) to another team, it lessens the Nets (and Knicks) ability to sign one of these marquee names, leaving those two teams with secondary players to spend their valuable cap space on.
According to the Ford report, only Brook Lopez is “untouchable” on the Nets.
I have to admit, I’m a bit surprised by this report. Not because I think Devin Harris is necessarily untouchable, but because I really didn’t think the Nets would be willing to move one of their “core” guys and abandon their 2010 summer plans.
Total speculation here, but here are my two theories why the Nets would move Devin Harris now:
1. The Nets braintrust believe that his struggles are not linked to injury and that he’s simply not a cornerstone player and that last season (where Devin was really only dominant through the first half) was a fluke.
2. The Nets are really, really panicked that they won’t be able to land a free agent this summer because of the current trade market, and their current record. Remember, Bosh, Joe Johnson, and LeBron all indicated that a team’s record matters. I also think money talks, but we’ll see.
Still, trade talk around the Nets just got a lot more interesting.
If the Nets can get the cap space for two max contracts to go with Brook Lopez and their first-round pick (potentially John Wall), I would go that way. It would make no sense to have two capable point guards when there are glaring weaknesses elsewhere. Should the Nets not get the #1 pick, other potential lottery teams will have the same point guard problem if they get John Wall. What does Utah (via Knicks' pick) do with Deron Williams? Golden State with Monta Ellis? Milwaukee with Brandon Jennings? I could go on. Opening up a vacancy at point guard would not only create necessary cap space, it could lead to another point guard that better fits what the Nets will do next year.
Trade Devin Harris and someone under contract in 2011 (ideally, Keyon Dooling) for expiring contracts. A team like the Lakers would love to have Harris if all they give up is Derek Fisher and Adam Morrison's expiring contracts. Then, buy out Fisher and he can go back to the Lakers.
If Chris Bosh does want to play with LeBron, a team with the cap space for two max contracts can make it happen. Just remember that this lineup is conceivable when the Nets go to Brooklyn.
C- Brook Lopez
PF- Chris Bosh
SF- LeBron James
SG- Courtney Lee
PG- John Wall
Of course, none of this is in play if the Nets don't trade Devin Harris and either Keyon Dooling or Yi Jianlian (under contract in 2011).
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