And I have no idea what you mean by the Nets future
No future besides a starting center, promising athletic power foward, pretty decent pg, possibly 5 draft picks in the next two years and cap flexibility with an appealing new location and owner whose willing to spend to win.
The money isn't why if I was the Nets I'd target an Iguodala type over Carmelo. It's what you'd have to give up. I'd assume that you could probably land AI2 for Troy Muprhy and a first round pick (top 10 protected). In this case you'd enter 2011 w/
Harris
Iguodala
Morrow
Favors / Humphries
Lopez
and 4 first round picks in next two years.
If it doesn't work out, it's unfortunate for the Nets, but there's always going to be a contending team whose willing to roll the dice on AI2 with an expiring and maybe a pick. Or parlay him with the remaining picks into another available star. The risk is fairly minimal - albeit it obviously takes up a decent amount of the teams cap space. But, besides Melo who else is there? Do the Nets want to spend another off season spending their money on the Travis Outlaws and Jordan Farmars of the world?
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Meanwhile the rumored asking price for Carmelo Anthony is significantly higher. Ranging everywhere from Murphy, Favors and 3 first round picks to Murphy and all 5 first round picks. Let's assume its the more likely Favors deal
Harris
Ross/Morrow
Melo
Humpries/ Harrington?
Lopez
With two first round picks, and limited cap flexibility (assuming they want to pay Lopez) that's your team. And while it'll initially put some butts in the seat, I don't think that teams enough to compete. In fact, you're pretty much the Nuggets: Good not great.