Nets may need a new coach....Again

[kozlodoev]

Oy vey. This trade may end up being a daylight robbery if the Nets end up imploding  this season (which is not out of the question).

That was the feeling around the league front offices around the time of the trade, apparently. We'd need both the Hawks and the Nets to implode this year to get a good first-rounder out of it (Atlanta has swap rights with Brooklyn, from the Joe Johnson trade I believe), but otherwise it's nothing but candy canes and rainbows.

The only real monkey wrench is that Prokorov is insane and will spend any amount of money, so attracting free agents to the team isn't out of the question to keep them from being horribad. Although I don't know what their salary structure looks like.

It's probably worth reminding that the way the NBA lottery works, we have an additive probability for the top pick, not separate chance for each first-rounder we hold.

So combining a multiple first picks, even if they're not individually great, may go a long way.

[fairweatherfan]

Which reminds me, are our Nets pics anything-protected?

Nope! Apparently we have to give them a protected second-rounder if we swap firsts in 2017, but that's it.

Oy vey. This trade may end up being a daylight robbery if the Nets end up imploding  this season (which is not out of the question).

Especially since with the Clippers out of the picture the Nets were essentially bidding against themselves.  Does anybody really think Danny would've passed if King held firm at say, 2 first rounders and no swap rights?

It really sucked to see KG and especially PP leave town, but this is looking more and more like a great move by Ainge.  He somehow managed to sell high on two guys who are past 35 and steadily fading, and to a team that seems to have the philosophy of just slapping together as many big names as possible.

[LooseCannon]

The only real monkey wrench is that Prokorov is insane and will spend any amount of money, so attracting free agents to the team isn't out of the question to keep them from being horribad. Although I don't know what their salary structure looks like.

They have about $89m in salary committed for next season, well over $80m even if take out all team and player options.  They'll only have the mini-MLE to bring in free agents for more than the minimum next season.  That might be the case even if Pierce leaves and Garnett retires, depending on where the cap is set and what happens with some player options.

[D.o.s.]

The only real monkey wrench is that Prokorov is insane and will spend any amount of money, so attracting free agents to the team isn't out of the question to keep them from being horribad. Although I don't know what their salary structure looks like.

They have about $89m in salary committed for next season, well over $80m even if take out all team and player options.  They'll only have the mini-MLE to bring in free agents for more than the minimum next season.  That might be the case even if Pierce leaves and Garnett retires, depending on where the cap is set and what happens with some player options.

Right. Even though it's fun to pretend and hyperbolize as if the Nets aren't bound by the same salary restrictions as everyone else, it's not a reality.

[LooseCannon]

The only real monkey wrench is that Prokorov is insane and will spend any amount of money, so attracting free agents to the team isn't out of the question to keep them from being horribad. Although I don't know what their salary structure looks like.

They have about $89m in salary committed for next season, well over $80m even if take out all team and player options.  They'll only have the mini-MLE to bring in free agents for more than the minimum next season.  That might be the case even if Pierce leaves and Garnett retires, depending on where the cap is set and what happens with some player options.

Right. Even though it's fun to pretend and hyperbolize as if the Nets aren't bound by the same salary restrictions as everyone else, it's not a reality.

Unless Prokhorov is tossing around some under-the-table deals, most likely to players from Eastern Europe.

[D.o.s.]

The only real monkey wrench is that Prokorov is insane and will spend any amount of money, so attracting free agents to the team isn't out of the question to keep them from being horribad. Although I don't know what their salary structure looks like.

They have about $89m in salary committed for next season, well over $80m even if take out all team and player options.  They'll only have the mini-MLE to bring in free agents for more than the minimum next season.  That might be the case even if Pierce leaves and Garnett retires, depending on where the cap is set and what happens with some player options.

Right. Even though it's fun to pretend and hyperbolize as if the Nets aren't bound by the same salary restrictions as everyone else, it's not a reality.

Unless Prokhorov is tossing around some under-the-table deals, most likely to players from Eastern Europe.

I should adjust my statement:
Even though it's fun to pretend, hyperbolize, and throw on the tin foil hat...

[pearljammer10]

The Nets were definitely my least favorite team last year adding Pierce made me root for him but I still cant stand them. Wasnt really sure why people immediately bumped them up to being contenders with the Heat.

DWill is not a very good point guard and has lost some significant steps in his game. Putting him alongside Johnson is not a good move, he needs the ball too much and doesnt play D. Lopez is good on offense and can block shots but his overall defense is mediocre due to how slow he is. They are a bunch of iso me me me guys and thats not going to work no matter how much team emphasis is preached by KG and Pierce.

[LooseCannon]

Does anyone disagree that it is reasonable to believe that the Nets of this season might end up no better than and possibly worse than the Celtics of last season?

[Interceptor]

Does anyone disagree that it is reasonable to believe that the Nets of this season might end up no better than and possibly worse than the Celtics of last season?

Sure. DWill could blow out his ACL at any moment.

[the_Bird]

Which reminds me, are our Nets pics anything-protected?

Nope! Apparently we have to give them a protected second-rounder if we swap firsts in 2017, but that's it.

Oy vey. This trade may end up being a daylight robbery if the Nets end up imploding  this season (which is not out of the question).

I really feel they only have a ~2 year window, given their age.

I was saying that at the time of the trade, and people didn't want to hear it.  Even if the Nets were to perform up to expectations this year, they're reliant on Pierce, KG, and Joe Johnson, and don't have the ability to add cheap young talent via draft picks.  Billionaire owner or not, they may blow up and not be able to do much about it. 

[Who]

Does anyone disagree that it is reasonable to believe that the Nets of this season might end up no better than and possibly worse than the Celtics of last season?

I would be pretty shocked if the Nets didn't at least finish somewhere around the neighbourhood they were in last season. Around 50 wins I think it was.

Short of serious injuries to B.Lopez or D.Williams that is.

[Mr October]

Oy vey. This trade may end up being a daylight robbery if the Nets end up imploding  this season (which is not out of the question).

That was the feeling around the league front offices around the time of the trade, apparently. We'd need both the Hawks and the Nets to implode this year to get a good first-rounder out of it (Atlanta has swap rights with Brooklyn, from the Joe Johnson trade I believe), but otherwise it's nothing but candy canes and rainbows.

The only real monkey wrench is that Prokorov is insane and will spend any amount of money, so attracting free agents to the team isn't out of the question to keep them from being horribad. Although I don't know what their salary structure looks like.

Yeah even if the Nets fall into the lottery, Atlanta has first dibs on a pick swap with them. I think it is safe to assume the pick that the Celtics receive will be in the 16-22 range.

The Nets are a mess so far. Deron Williams has really regressed. He might not even be a top 10 point guard anymore. Their season mostly lies on Brook Lopez's ability to dominate. Otherwise they look slow and kind of like a bizzaro version of the Celtics from the past 2 seasons.

Still they should be able to IQ their way into the playoffs.

[Snakehead]

Does anyone disagree that it is reasonable to believe that the Nets of this season might end up no better than and possibly worse than the Celtics of last season?

I would be pretty shocked if the Nets didn't at least finish somewhere around the neighbourhood they were in last season. Around 50 wins I think it was.

Short of serious injuries to B.Lopez or D.Williams that is.

Agreed.  They upgraded at like every position.  It'd be hard to believe.  But we will have to see.

[Mr October]

Which reminds me, are our Nets pics anything-protected?

Nope! Apparently we have to give them a protected second-rounder if we swap firsts in 2017, but that's it.

Oy vey. This trade may end up being a daylight robbery if the Nets end up imploding  this season (which is not out of the question).

I really feel they only have a ~2 year window, given their age.

I was saying that at the time of the trade, and people didn't want to hear it.  Even if the Nets were to perform up to expectations this year, they're reliant on Pierce, KG, and Joe Johnson, and don't have the ability to add cheap young talent via draft picks.  Billionaire owner or not, they may blow up and not be able to do much about it.

Without picks, the Nets should be in quicksand for the next 3 years. The pick that should be gold, is the 2016 first rounder. Garnett will have retired. Maybe Pierce will have retired as well. Johnson and Williams will continue to erode. After that year, all the big salaries start coming off the books, and who knows what direction they go in free agency. The 2017 pick (vis swap) and 2018 pick are totally unpredictable.

It is sad to see PP and KG not in green, but, wow! Those picks are gonna be very valuable.

[hwangjini_1]

Which reminds me, are our Nets pics anything-protected?

Nope! Apparently we have to give them a protected second-rounder if we swap firsts in 2017, but that's it.

Oy vey. This trade may end up being a daylight robbery if the Nets end up imploding  this season (which is not out of the question).

I really feel they only have a ~2 year window, given their age.

I was saying that at the time of the trade, and people didn't want to hear it.  Even if the Nets were to perform up to expectations this year, they're reliant on Pierce, KG, and Joe Johnson, and don't have the ability to add cheap young talent via draft picks.  Billionaire owner or not, they may blow up and not be able to do much about it.

Without picks, the Nets should be in quicksand for the next 3 years. The pick that should be gold, is the 2016 first rounder. Garnett will have retired. Maybe Pierce will have retired as well. Johnson and Williams will continue to erode. After that year, all the big salaries start coming off the books, and who knows what direction they go in free agency. The 2017 pick (vis swap) and 2018 pick are totally unpredictable.

It is sad to see PP and KG not in green, but, wow! Those picks are gonna be very valuable.

i agree, but would add that the 2015 may very well be valuable as well. given the state of the nets NOW, i dont think the next few years with KG and pierce will improve the team.

at this stage of the rebuild, any and all assets are welcome. the nets may have provided the celtics with some good ones....on top of their own picks.

now if only the clippers would totally bottom out next year....