Nets Are Peddling – But Who’s Buying?
Jan 5, 2010 Rafer Alston, Tony Battie, Trade Ideas
In the past week, a number of sources have reported that the Nets have been testing the trade market by offering some of their expiring contracts. First, there was the Nate Robinson/Darko Milicic for Rafer Alston/Tony Battie trade proposal, tweeted by Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski this past weekend. Then yesterday, in an ESPN chat, Chris Sheridan suggested that the Nets were “peddling” guys like Battie, Bobby Simmons, Josh Boone and Eduardo Najera. Sheridan speculated a possible match with the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for PF Boris Diaw, but he never says such a trade was ever floated by either team. Beat writer Al Iannazzone also speculated that Alston’s name will likely be connected in more trade talk considering how his playing time has been dramatically reduced despite coach Kiki Vandeweghe saying the erratic PG “deserved to play.”
Earlier this morning, Yahoo’s Marc Spears talked about a couple of trades that have seemingly fallen apart: Eduardo Najera to Dallas for Kris Humphries and Shawne Williams – which would have given the Nets a monopoly on player’s named some variation of Sean Williams, though the player from Dallas would have been bought out. To try and open a roster spot for these players, the Nets were looking to send Josh Boone to Denver for Joey Graham.
None of this news is surprising. The Nets are a last place team with a young core and most of the players mentioned in these trade scenarios could provide a playoff-bound team with a veteran piece on a short-term contract. However, depending on what these players may bring back in a trade – and considering that most of these players, especially Alston and Simmons, are experiencing miserable seasons – they may ultimately be more valuable to keep. Because once those contracts expire this summer, it equals salary cap flexibility for the Nets in one of the best free agent markets in recent memory.
Of the rumors being floated, the Robinson/Darko trade made the most sense for the Nets, since both are young players with expiring contracts who could essentially audition for supporting roles on the team next season, or be cast away come the summer for greener free agent pastures. Boris Diaw, on the other hand, makes no sense. While he was once a nice component of those exciting Phoenix Suns “7 Seconds or Less” teams, he’s also owed $9 million in each of the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons and is not enough of a difference maker to warrant sacrificing valuable cap space for. Kris Humphries has a player option worth $3.2 million is not guaranteed money next year, and the Nets would have been dumping Najera, who’s owed money by the Nets for two more seasons due to the absurd contract he was offered before 2008-09.
So what are the Nets options? Whereas the Nate/Darko trades sounds great on paper, common sense says the Nets are more likely to be offered a player of Diaw’s ilk – a salary dump that will clog their flexibility at exactly the wrong time. Humphries is mildly interesting, as he has above average PER 40 minutes numbers, but he’s known as a “shoot first” guy, with poor defense and has been turnover prone throughout his career. I don’t know how he’s that much of an upgrade in the frontcourt over Josh Boone. Plus it would cheat Rob Mahoney over at The Two Man Game of his weekly “Hump Day” post. But I guess if you want change for the sake of a change, he’s an option.
While Kiki may have a soft spot for guys like Alston and Battie – who probably deserve better than to be rarely used bench players on a 3-30 team in their contract years, this hopefully won’t lead the GM to make an ill-advised trade in an effort to make right by then. As I preached last week, the Nets need to stay true to their commitment headed into this season, even if the losses keep mounting. This rings especially true if changing directions brings the Nets a Boris Diaw type-player and contract.
Today’s Big Baby Rumor
Jul 28, 2009 Bobby Simmons, Glan Davis, Keyon Dooling, Rumors, Trade Ideas, Yi
It is becoming more and more obvious that the Nets want Glen “Big Baby” Davis. First there was word that they were going to attempt to acquire him by signing him to an offer sheet, but word got out that the C’s were going to match any reasonable offer. Then there were rumors that the Nets were interested in a sign and trade, but looking at it, it wouldn’t really work out because we stuck with 15 guaranteed contracts right now. Now, we are hearing that the Nets are looking for a third team to work out a trade for Big Baby:
The Celtics’ proposed sign-and-trade to land free agent Marquis Daniels from the Pacers has run into complications and could lead to the need of a three-team deal. Enter the Nets, with their legitimate interest in Davis, who averaged 15.8 points and 6.0 rebounds during the playoffs last season. The Celtics have indicated they will match any reasonable offer for Davis.
“We have not made any offers to anybody,” Nets team president Rod Thorn said.
The Nets have made their inquiries and repeatedly have said they need to create a roster space before making a move. A report that surfaced yesterday about a sign-and-trade involving Davis and Nets forward Yi Jianlian was shot down by both sides about 30 seconds after it sought traction.
Maybe an inventive deal could be devised involving three teams. The Nets have a couple of trade exceptions from the Vince Carter deal that could come into play. The Celtics likely want a big man in return, the Pacers want a wing.
Despite what Rod Thorn says, this looks more than just “inquiring” about Glen Davis to me. Why? Well, Rod Thorn keeps looking for a way to get Davis in a Nets uniform. Despite being unconventional, this three-way deal could work (especially with the Trade Exceptions we have). We send Indiana a guard (Dooling/Simmons/Rafer), Boston Yi, and we get Big Baby in return with an extra roster spot.
Now is this smart? In my opinion it would all depend what we do with that extra roster spot. Now if we go ahead and sign Leon Powe or Ike Diogu, I would be all about it. Just like that we get a nice little inside/outside platoon at our 4 spot and we also clear up some of the glut we got at the wing position.
Not sure if this will happen or if this means there will be another rumor tomorrow. At least it is giving me something to write about…
Big Baby Coming To NJ Via Sign And Trade?
Jul 27, 2009 2009 Offseason, Roster Moves, Rumors, Trade Ideas
Update: Fred Kerber is reporting that both sides are denying the rumor:
There are reports that the Nets
and Celtics are working on a sign and trade for Glen “Big Baby” Davis and that it could happen real soon with the Nets surrendering Yi Jianlian.
That’s news to both sides.
People in Boston and New Jersey both squashed the notion. Nets insiders confirm that there have been inquiries about Davis “to see what’s up and what they’re looking for,” one source said. Both sides insist they have not been working on a sign and trade.
The on again off again Glen “Big Baby” Davis rumors are once again heating up, but this one is a little different. There are many reports coming out of Boston (nothing out of NJ papers/blogs yet) saying that the Nets are thinking about moving a player for Big Baby in a sign and trade. Justin Poulin who runs CelticStuffLive, says that the move is “close to a done deal.” There is no word on who the player the Nets would be shipping to Boston is, but Tom Halzack from the CT Post says gives us three names he thinks it is narrowed down to; Yi Jianlian, Eduardo Najera, and Sean Williams:
It could be Yi Jianlian for Baby straight up, as Alex suggests. The Nets have been hot and cold on him since they got him. They know he needs playing time to develop, but even on a rebuilding team, he wasn’t getting consistent minutes. While many will debate who is the better player, it will be swapping a lottery pick for a second rounder.
Before everyone thinks it’s a complete coup, remember the rumors were Yi would be a Celtic now, if the Celtics didn’t trade the pick as part of getting Ray Allen. But getting him back with a second round pick is savvy on Danny’s part anyway – unless you think that Davis will be the better player over his career.
Davis has better inside numbers, though Yi is a better outside shot. Yi has shown some ability to be a passer, and is athletic, but has zero post game (.465 eFG% inside).
The other option would be hard working, but oft injured energy guy, Eduardo Najera, possibly straight up, or possibly with a second rounder throw in. Even more remote, Sean Williams and Eddie together. Their salaries are $4.7 combined. Eddie’s recovered from sports hernia surgery on March 13, and is playing ball for Mexico in the FIBA Americ’a Cup.
I like Najera. With limited skills, he plays a nice game around the hoop, is a team guy, and will try to do anything you ask of him. A bad jump shooter (.321 eFG%), he’s strong around the hoop (.657 eFG%) and offensive rebounds very well - 17.5% of all possibilities in last year’s injury abbreviated season (27 games).
Sean Williams – If the Cs get Sean and Marbury to go with Rasheed, I hope that Doc Rivers has a blood pressure machine near by. I’d love to be a fly on the wall at those practices. Williams has been considered an attitude problem. A terrific shot blocker, he has to learn to play the game. Kind of a 6? 10? Gerald Green, I’d guess. He is reported to not be more than 6? 9? either. After some D-league time and tough love with the Nets, maybe he’s going to mature. Maybe.
Saying that, he does bring a nice skill to a second unit. It is one skill that this Big Three version of the Celtics hasn’t had. A shot blocker on the second unit. But he could be POB all over again, if he doesn’t play team defense and so far…. he doesn’t.
If it’s Williams, there is either another player involved or a first rounder thrown in, I’d say.
There has been no mention of a third team involved. It’s straight Nets/Celtics deal.
In conclusion, I’d take any of the players mentioned in a fair deal. Yi is a project in my opinion. Najera would be a good Celtic right now. Williams – who knows.
I find it funny that Celtics fans are already trying to put a positive spin on a Big Baby/Yi deal saying that it is a lottery pick for a second rounder. While this is true, Big Baby in my opinion has shown that he could be a very solid player, and he has been consistent for the Celtics. Consistency is a word that has never been used for Yi, but if he eventually “gets it,” he still has a chance at becoming a great player.
Another name that could be in this deal that Tom didn’t mention is Keyon Dooling. He said the reason being that the C’s are probably going to end up re-signing Stephon Marbury. However, if the C’s want a real solid back-up point they should look up Dooling. With the addition of Rafer Alston to our roster, he has become expendable, and while he played great last year, he is coming off of surgery and he is getting up there in years. Now would be a perfect chance to get a high return for him. Plus if we get Big Baby for Dooling, we can have a pretty solid Big Baby/Yi split at the 4 spot, with Big Baby starting. Big Baby tends to get in to foul trouble a lot, so it would be nice to have Yi ready to go in for him if that does happen.
I wouldn’t understand why the C’s would trade for Eduardo or Sean Williams straight up (Eduardo is coming off of major surgery and Sean Williams has been a mental problem ever since he became at Net), so if we can get Big Baby for either of those guys, I would do it in a heartbeat. That being said, if I would have to guess right now, the deal would be Yi/Big Baby. Yi has been someone the Celtics have been looking at for a little while now, and it is a deal that both teams are in favor of.
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