Nets on the Net: 1/13/10 Edition
Jan 13, 2010 Brooklyn, Carlos Boozer, Devin Harris, Nets on the Net, Shawne Williams
Tommy Dee over at The Knicks Blog, has an interesting tidbit about Tracy McGrady and the Nets from last summer: The Rockets had a deal in place to send McGrady to New Jersey for Vince Carterand other pieces, similar to the Nets-Magic deal on draft night. When McGrady’s agent Arn Tellem informed his client he was about to be on the move, McGrady abruptly ended his season by saying he needed micro-fracture surgery on his ailing knee.
Three major NYC city streets are going to be wiped off the grid to make room for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, according to the Brooklyn Paper: Since leaping one of the last remaining major legal hurdles in late November, Ratner has moved forward with his project far more rapidly than a Nets fast-break. And in December, he sold $511 million in tax-free bonds — roughly half the money needed for the arena.
Meanwhile, another court hearing is scheduled regarding the Atlantic Yards development.
Dave D’Alessandro comes to the defense of Devin Harris: For starters, he’s missed one-third the schedule. And even when he does play, the mandate he’s received from the new staff is pretty clear: “Run the same four plays for Yi and Brook, take your shots down from 18 to 8 per game, and by the way, do it with a smile and pretend you’re on board with this disaster even though we know you’re not.”
Matt Moore at Hardwood Paroxysm has some advice for the Nets when it comes to trading Devin Harris: Don’t do it.
NBA.com sees some light at the end of the tunnel for the Nets: Winning next season might be an order the size of the Atlantic Yards arena project, but in addition to the money the Nets will throw at the loaded 2010 free-agent class, they’ve got 10 Draft picks, five in the first round, over the next three years. New Jersey could end up being a major player before the Feb. 18 trade deadline depending on the status of prospective owner Mikhail Prokhorov.
Bethlehem Shoals over at NBA Fanhouse talks about swapping one Sean Williams for a Shawne Williams.
Marc Stein talks about a potential Utah/Dallas swap involving free agent to-be Carlos Boozer.
Fighting for Freddy’s Bar in Brooklyn on Fox News:
Summer Speculating: Carlos Boozer Edition
Sep 1, 2009 2009 Offseason, Carlos Boozer, Rumors
Steve Luhm and Ross Siler over at the Salt Lake Tribune recently launched a Carlos Boozer “Billboard Challenge,” after noticing that the Utah Jazz power forward, who was mentioned in trade rumors earlier this summer including some speculation that he could come to the Nets, wasn’t featured in any of the team’s roadside advertisements promoting season ticket plans. Obviously, Luhm and Siler are hinting that Boozer could still be on the move before the season starts. The Nets haven’t been linked to Boozer since late July, with the Mavs, Bulls, Heat and Pistons still a more likely destination. But I wouldn’t be shocked to see his name linked to the Nets a few more times before the start of the season.
And for those who were buying into the Mikki Moore to the Nets rumors earlier this summer, Moore signed with Golden State yesterday.
What It Will Take To Land Carlos Boozer?
Jul 20, 2009 2009 Offseason, Carlos Boozer, Nets In The Media, Rumors, Trade Ideas, Trades
Carlos Boozer was a big name thrown around by Nets fans towards the beginning of free-agency. Many people were talking about acquiring Boozer through a sign and trade or through free-agency, but then Boozer picked up his player option, and then Rod Thorn said we were going to sit back and wait, and then all the talk quieted down.
It seems like the talk is starting up again though. Tim Buckley of the Dessert News mentioned New Jersey as a potential trade partner for the Jazz:
Chicago, Miami, New York, Detroit and now New Jersey have been most prominently mentioned as possible destinations for Boozer ever since he decided late last month to opt in for the final season and last $12.65 million on his current six-year, $68-million contract with the Jazz.
In my opinion, there is no way we are going to fleece the front office of the Jazz. Here is what we are going to have to give up in a deal for Boozer:
An Expiring Contract:
If the Jazz are going to give up an expiring contract in Boozer, they should expect one or more in return. The Jazz have some decisions to make in upcoming years about who to re-sign (Okur and Ronnie Price are free agents next year and Kirilenko’s is up in 2), and they need the expiring contracts to be able to do this.
Draft Picks:
The Jazz have a history of making strong draft picks (Paul Millsap and Deron Williams come to mind), so if they are going to unload Carlos Boozer, they should expect to get some draft picks in return.
A Young Player:
Expiring contracts and draft picks won’t be enough to land Carlos Boozer, they are probably going to require a young player in a deal as well. Preferably someone at a position they aren’t that deep in, as well as one that can help them in the future. Chris Douglas-Roberts is the player that pops into my mind.
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I have no problem in giving up the draft picks and the expiring contracts (mainly because we are getting a expiring back in return, and it won’t hurt our future), and if we can get a deal done with just these two aspects I will be jumping for joy. It just isn’t going to happen though. Utah is a solid, smart, and well-run franchise, and they won’t be fleeced. In my opinion, the only way this deal gets done is if we add CDR. I don’t want to see that happen. I think CDR is going to be a special player, and I don’t want to see him get dealt for a rental player (Let’s face it, he probably won’t be willing to re-sign with the Nets in one year, especially if we are saving our money for two of the big three).
I am not the biggest Boozer fan (he is injured too much and he isn’t a good locker room guy – not good with a bunch of young players) and I don’t want to see this trade made, but if it does happen, I guess it could work out well for the Nets (I know I am contradicting myself now). If Boozer stays heathly and has a solid year, the Nets may decide to re-sign him. If we do, NJ (or Brooklyn) would be more attractive to one of the big three. That being said, the price tag (if this is in fact the price tag) is still a little too high in my mind.
Fan Reactions: Trade For Boozer
Jul 1, 2009 Bobby Simmons, Carlos Boozer, Fan Reactions, Trade Ideas
I have been encouraging you guys to e-mail in questions/comments (well written of course) if you wanted to see them posted here. As of right now, I am posting them as I get them, but if more of you e-mail stuff in, this could be a weekly thing. It’s up to you guys. Anyway here is something from reader Sam S:
Trade idea from loyal netsarescortching reader (Sebastian – his words not mine) Sam S.
Boozer opted not to opt out for the coming year – so he has a one year $12.7mm contract. Bobby Simmons has a one year $11.24mm contract. A straight up trade works for economic purposes (salaries are wthin 25% of each other) and saves Utah $3mm ($1.5mm x 2 due to luxury tax). Boozer also is a toxic presence for Utah since he does not want to be there and they want to keep Milsap. For us, he is a huge upgrade at the 4 and we would presumably have an inside track at resigning him in 2010 if he proves that he is worth a big contract. While it would hurt our 2010 draft tanking strategy, it would show the fans that the team really wants to put the best team on the floor….. What do you think?
OK, before I answer this question I feel like I have to disclose the fact that I am not a big Boozer fan. On paper this works and makes sense, it gives the Jazz a little more cap space and they get to feature Milsap more. For the Nets, getting Boozer fills a gaping hole, and getting rid of Simmons clears up some some space at the SF position (since we do have a ton of players in that spot now). Carlos Boozer is a great player and his game fits our new style perfectly.
As for why I don’t like it, well acquiring Boozer hurts the development of Yi. I know I am in the minority, but I still think Yi can be a solid player for the Nets, but he just needs time. I am also not a big fan of his attitude, he is a selfish player (I formed this opinion through his previous actions regarding his contract) who seems to cause problems in the locker room. With a real young team, I don’t want someone like that in the locker room. Boozer is also very injury prone, and I don’t want to get stuck with paying his contract as he sits on the sidelines in a suit. Now if this deal happens, I won’t jump off the bridge because it would be a solid trade for us, but I wouldn’t be too excited about it.
Thanks for the question Sam. If others would like to chime in, write your response in the comments. And like I said before, if you have a question/comment that you want on the site. E-mail me at sebastian.pruiti@netsarescorching.com