Location: East Rutherford, N.J. | Arena: IZOD Center (19,990) | Principal Owner: Bruce Ratner | GM: Kiki Vandeweghe Head Coach: Lawrence Frank | Titles: 0
They have their first-round pick. They have both exceptions to shop the free agent market.
But what the Nets really want to know is will they have Vince Carter next season?
Carter can opt out of the final year of his contract, worth $16.3 million next season. Moments after the Nets were eliminated by the Cavs for their second straight second-round ouster, attention turned to Carter and his intentions.
"I haven't even thought about it. When it's time, it's time," Carter said to a group of unbelieving listeners.
Everything is up to Carter. The team owner, president and general manager all are on record claiming their desire to have him back. The sticking point, as it always is, will be money. The Nets are not likely to go above the $16 million per season neighborhood. Carter is believed to want more.
"Until you sign somebody, I never think it's going to get done. Obviously, there's a difference in what we perceive to be fair and what he perceives to be fair. So we'll have to see how that is bridged," said team president Rod Thorn.
"I think he's a terrific player. I think anybody who can average 25, almost six rebounds and almost five assists, which he did for us (is)," Thorn added. "He was (eighth) in the league in scoring, among the top rebounders at the guard position, among the top two-guard assist leaders. He brings a lot to the table and we would like to re-sign him."
Beyond Carter, the Nets would like to bring back Mikki Moore, who had a career year after Nenad Krstic was injured. Also, the never-ending search for an athletic back-to-the-basket big will continue. The Nets feel if they return their "Big Three" of Jason Kidd, Carter and Jefferson, have a healthy Krstic and add a big body, they will be among the elite again.
"We need to get stronger. There's no doubt. After the first couple of games (against Cleveland), we held our own. But we need to get stronger," Thorn said.
And now the off-season starts. Actually, it will start when Carter decides whether or not he is opting out.
SEASON HIGHLIGHT It's how you finish that counts. And the Nets finished strong to stretch their playoff run to six straight seasons, a feat matched or bettered only by Detroit, San Antonio and Dallas. The Nets seemed to bottom out at 31-38 but finished with a 10-3 run that included a victory over Chicago in the final game to produce a sixth-seed finish.
TURNING POINT The return to health of Richard Jefferson. The Nets lost their second and third scorers when Nenad Krstic went down in December and Jefferson opted for ankle surgery in January. Jefferson returned in March, slowly worked off the rust and helped fortify the Nets' running game, a key to the 10-3 finish. Jefferson was the first round Game 6 hero, scoring at one end, stealing a pass at the other, in the closing seconds to propel the Nets into the second round and eliminate Toronto.
Copyright (C) 2007 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
The salary cap is set to $57.7 million, approx. $1 million less than last year's. The luxury tax mark is $69.9 million, down from $71.2 last year.
Well, the Nets salary situation is currently $56.77 million and they have 15 players on their roster. I know I've said that this means they can't sign anyone else, but I keep reading
...(more)
The biggest hole the Nets have in the roster is at the 4. Yi Jianlan is hardly a power forward, Najera is a good backup, and Tony Battie is an expiring contract (and isn't particularly good). Sean Williams
...(more)
Kiwi was on the radio yesterday and said this is far from a finished product. I think he's going to make a run at someone. I don't know if it will be this year or next year though. After this year our payroll will be 24 million or something ridiculous like that. I think were taking our lumps this year getting a big run at a FA and we'll have a lottery pick next year.
...(more)
Question-If they knew they were trading VC to Orlando and getting Courtney Lee in return, why didn't they draft Earl Clark? SF is a glaring need position for them. You have a young backcourt with
I just don't see this guy being anything more then a role player. His only offensive game I saw in college was off the boards. He was able to out physical a lot of teams in the NCAA but in the pros he's not going to rebound by girth. I would rather go after Hansbourgh at PF. But most of all I'm hoping DeRozan falls to us at 11. I believe this kid can be a tremendous S
...(more)
Well the lottery has come and gone, and for the Nets, no surprises. The 11th spot is decent, but the Nets definitely won't get a guy as talented as Brook Lopez to drop to them this year. Jordan Hill is the only guy that could potentially drop if all of the stars are aligne
...(more)
I want to be the first to say that i have not been a fan of the Nets (as a die hard Pacers fan) as is vice versa. But as a diehard Louisville Cardinal fan as well, I am so happy for you T-Will and you guys!!!!!!!!! Look forward to seeing T-Will every game.
I would hope we aren't going to miss on a good guy like Boozer, Amare or Randolph to put all our eggs in the Bosh basket. Really we are going to have a 24 million dollar pay roll. What happens if we get none of the great free agents we'll be stuck with egg on our face.
As much as I'd love to get rid of VC and get younger. I just don't think anyone is willing to take him. I'd be willing to take a 2nd round pick for him and sign a guy like Ben Gordon to be our SG. He's younger then VC and I believe he would be a better fit at the 2 especially if we draft a PF who teams with Lope
...(more)
According to this site Kiki is trying to move Yi. It says he wasn't happy with no improvement in his game this year. Go figure Frank is a horrible coach in my opinion and never really developed anybody. One thing it said that I totally disagree with is it said Yi was a shoot first player? I remember games when I was yelling for Yi to take a shot. I think they may have
...(more)
I just heard a report on ESPN radio that the Nets would be wlling to part with Harris for the second pick. Has anyone else heard anything on this? Also any idea who we might be going after with that pick if we got it? Rubio maybe?
I just saw that he was traded to the Spurs for Obierto, Bowen, and Thomas; three expiring contracts. So much for the Nets trading Carter for the same package.
It doesn't surprise me that he was traded, he didn't fit in Milwaukee. Maybe the Nets may make a similar deal wit
...(more)
I proposed that the Nets should trade Vince Carter to the Wizards for their 5th pick, Thomas, James, and Songalia, and pretty much they traded away the same package, less James.
Being that two trades I proposed just went through, I'm predicting the next trade.
...(more)
