The Nets options in FA are dwindling rapidly, as multiple reports have Carlos Boozer going to Chicago. Dave D’Alessandro says the team will likely turn to David Lee now, but notes that the optimism the organization was riding after last week’s meeting with LeBron and Co. has wanted considerably.
The Nets are dangerously close to be completely shut out from all of the main free agents this summer which now begs an all too-important question for this organization – what good was shedding all those contracts the past two years? Hopefully Mikhail Prokhorov learned a hard and fast lesson in all this: it’s going to take more than money to bring this franchise out of the muck.
Alright, here we go. For those who want a distraction from the whole Wade/Bosh/James situation, you can watch the Nets play the Orlando Magic in a Summer League battle. Not much to preview this one, but here is Terrence Williams’ interview with the Summer League announcers from yesterday:
Chris Broussard is reporting that Dwyane Wade is going to be staying in Miami and Chris Bosh Will be joining him, though nobody is sure whether he will sign straight up with him or if there will be a sign and trade. They also seem to be making a push to get LeBron James to come so they can create their superteam. Nobody is sure what will happen in that regard:
Whether LeBron James, the kingpin of this summer’s celebrated free agent class, will join them remains to be seen. James will announce his decision Thursday night at 9 ET during a one-hour special on ESPN.
Wade and Bosh are expected to announce their decision on Wednesday, according to the source.
Both players are expected to get the maximum amount allowable under the league’s collective bargaining agreement, though the addition of James could change the players’ salaries. Contracts cannot be officially signed until July 8.
It was not immediately clear whether Bosh will sign with Miami outright or join the Heat through a sign-and-trade deal. Bosh could earn $125 million over six years via sign-and-trade, but only $96 million over five without it.
In my opinion James won’t be going to Miami (not enough basketballs to go around), but with Bosh signing to Miami that really limits what the Nets might be able to do. I have been saying for a little while now, even if the Nets don’t get anyone in free agency, they are still looking at a very good young core that can compete for a playoff spot right now (in my opinion) and they will only be getting better. No reason to force a move like the rumored Harris for Granger deal.
Also, TNT’s David Aldridge is reporting that Kevin Pritchard will be interviewing for the vacant GM job. This is big news because it is obvious Pritchard is the best man for the job right now. Pritchard knows how to build a team, and with the Nets right where they are, I expect Pritchard to help them get through the final stage of the rebuilding process.
In their second game of five at the Orlando Summer League, the Nets were able to get themselves a win. Besides the fact that we don’t have to hear any losing streak jokes now, the win isn’t the most important part of the action. Just like yesterday, we are going to take a look at how each of the “big five” at the summer league did.
Terrence Williams
Terrence Williams had another big game, this time he showed a little bit more in terms of looking for his own shot. Williams scored 24 points on 8-18 shooting, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. What really impressed me about Terrence Williams game was his jump shot:
Remember last year it seemed like Terrence Williams’ jumpers were just floaters from really far away? Well, that isn’t what they look like now. On just about every shot Williams took last night, Williams was on balance taking off and landing in the same place.
