Nets trying to acquire Rip Hamilton, Billups and Melo in a 3 way deal ( rumor )

[Fafnir]

I don't think he's a given to bounce back rebounding. So far his rebounding rate has gone down each year as he's been in the league.

[wdleehi]

This could become a nightmare team in the first round for one of the top three teams.  Not that NJ would likely beat them, but could make the road to a title even harder.  Imagine if Boston had to get through Melo, Lebron/Wade, Howard and Kobe to win a title.

[Who]

If they stayed disciplined, I don't see how they could possibly lose in 2012* - Melo, Lopez and Brooklyn is a pretty attractive offer

Who would be available in 2012 free agency?

[Snakehead]

Chris Broussard on twitter:

Billups won't hold up deal, but sources just told me he will either want a buyout after season or a long-term commitment (extension) from NJ

So I guess he isn't against going to NJ as much, but does want an extension too.

[StartOrien]

If they stayed disciplined, I don't see how they could possibly lose in 2012* - Melo, Lopez and Brooklyn is a pretty attractive offer

Who would be available in 2012 free agency?

Big names that could be available: Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Dwight Howard.

EDIT: meant 2013, not 2012. That's when hamilton and billups would come off books.

[StartOrien]

If they stayed disciplined, I don't see how they could possibly lose in 2012* - Melo, Lopez and Brooklyn is a pretty attractive offer

Who would be available in 2012 free agency?

Big names that could be available: Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Dwight Howard.

Ty Lawson Denver Restricted F.A
Stephen Curry Golden State Restricted F.A.
Kevin Martin Houston Unrestricted F.A
Blake Griffin L.A. Clippers  Restricted F.A.
Brandon Jennings Milwaukee Restricted F.A.
Chris Paul New Orleans Unrestricted F.A.
Dwight Howard Orlando Unrestricted F.A
Jameer Nelson Orlando Unrestricted F.A.
Tyreke Evans Sacramento Restricted F.A.
Manu Ginobili San Antonio Unrestricted F.A
Tiago Splitter San Antonio Unrestricted F.A
Al Jefferson Utah Unrestricted F.A.
Paul Millsap Utah Unrestricted F.A.
Deron Williams Utah Unrestricted F.A.

[Fafnir]

I think Billups will be satisified with NJ picking up his option for next year.

[Fafnir]

If they stayed disciplined, I don't see how they could possibly lose in 2012* - Melo, Lopez and Brooklyn is a pretty attractive offer

Who would be available in 2012 free agency?

Big names that could be available: Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Dwight Howard.

Ty Lawson Denver Restricted F.A
Stephen Curry Golden State Restricted F.A.
Kevin Martin Houston Unrestricted F.A
Blake Griffin L.A. Clippers  Restricted F.A.
Brandon Jennings Milwaukee Restricted F.A.
Chris Paul New Orleans Unrestricted F.A.
Dwight Howard Orlando Unrestricted F.A
Jameer Nelson Orlando Unrestricted F.A.
Tyreke Evans Sacramento Restricted F.A.
Manu Ginobili San Antonio Unrestricted F.A
Tiago Splitter San Antonio Unrestricted F.A
Al Jefferson Utah Unrestricted F.A.
Paul Millsap Utah Unrestricted F.A.
Deron Williams Utah Unrestricted F.A.

The three players you've bolded all of opt outs the previous year. They likely will excercise those to hit FA earlier, even if only to sign an extension with their current team.

Of course all of this greatly depends on the new CBA.

[Snakehead]

If they stayed disciplined, I don't see how they could possibly lose in 2012* - Melo, Lopez and Brooklyn is a pretty attractive offer

Who would be available in 2012 free agency?

http://realgm.com/src_freeagents/2013/

The most notable guys:

Deron Williams
Chris Paul
Dwight Howard
Josh Smith
Stephen Jackson
Gerald Wallace
Ty Lawson
Stephen Curry
Blake Griffon
Kevin Martin
Tyreke Evans
Baron Davis
Paul Millsap
Al Jefferson
Jameer Nelson
James Harden
Jonny Flynn
Anthony Morrow
Martell Webster
Chase Budinger
Taj Gibson
Ronnie Brewer


Some of those are restricted and I'm sure some sign extensions, but we'll see.  Of the cream of the crop, I assume Deron stays in Utah (though Millsap and Jefferson both being possible FA's too makes that interesting) and I lean towards Dwight resigning, though we'll have to see how things go in Orlando over the next season (because they are screwed long term now).  I think Chris Paul is very in play though.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Hornets don't exist or move soon.

And a lot of those other guys will be up for grabs.  Josh Smith is a big one, I don't think ATL will pay him now that they signed Joe Johnson to that max deal.

[StartOrien]

If they stayed disciplined, I don't see how they could possibly lose in 2012* - Melo, Lopez and Brooklyn is a pretty attractive offer

Who would be available in 2012 free agency?

Big names that could be available: Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Dwight Howard.

Ty Lawson Denver Restricted F.A
Stephen Curry Golden State Restricted F.A.
Kevin Martin Houston Unrestricted F.A
Blake Griffin L.A. Clippers  Restricted F.A.
Brandon Jennings Milwaukee Restricted F.A.
Chris Paul New Orleans Unrestricted F.A.
Dwight Howard Orlando Unrestricted F.A
Jameer Nelson Orlando Unrestricted F.A.
Tyreke Evans Sacramento Restricted F.A.
Manu Ginobili San Antonio Unrestricted F.A
Tiago Splitter San Antonio Unrestricted F.A
Al Jefferson Utah Unrestricted F.A.
Paul Millsap Utah Unrestricted F.A.
Deron Williams Utah Unrestricted F.A.

The three players you've bolded all of opt outs the previous year. They likely will excercise those to hit FA earlier, even if only to sign an extension with their current team.

Of course all of this greatly depends on the new CBA.

They all have player options in 12/13. That year the Nets would have money commited to

Carmelo Anthony: 17
Richard Hamilton: 12.6 (expiring deal)
Travis Outlaw: 7
Jordan Farmar: 4.25

Qualifying option on B. Lopez of 4.14

(I'm assuming Morrow apart of this trade as well)

[Fafnir]

If they stayed disciplined, I don't see how they could possibly lose in 2012* - Melo, Lopez and Brooklyn is a pretty attractive offer

Who would be available in 2012 free agency?

Big names that could be available: Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Dwight Howard.

Ty Lawson Denver Restricted F.A
Stephen Curry Golden State Restricted F.A.
Kevin Martin Houston Unrestricted F.A
Blake Griffin L.A. Clippers  Restricted F.A.
Brandon Jennings Milwaukee Restricted F.A.
Chris Paul New Orleans Unrestricted F.A.
Dwight Howard Orlando Unrestricted F.A
Jameer Nelson Orlando Unrestricted F.A.
Tyreke Evans Sacramento Restricted F.A.
Manu Ginobili San Antonio Unrestricted F.A
Tiago Splitter San Antonio Unrestricted F.A
Al Jefferson Utah Unrestricted F.A.
Paul Millsap Utah Unrestricted F.A.
Deron Williams Utah Unrestricted F.A.

The three players you've bolded all of opt outs the previous year. They likely will excercise those to hit FA earlier, even if only to sign an extension with their current team.

Of course all of this greatly depends on the new CBA.

They all have player options in 12/13. That year the Nets would have money commited to

Carmelo Anthony: 17
Richard Hamilton: 12.6 (expiring deal)
Travis Outlaw: 7
Jordan Farmar: 4.25

Qualifying option on B. Lopez of 4.14

(I'm assuming Morrow apart of this trade as well)

They'll have 44 million in salary (that's if they don't extend Lopez and he takes the QO much more likely somoen signs him and they are forced to let him walk or match), plus they'll be paying what two or three rookies from their first round picks? Add in the minimum salary cap holds for another few players and even under current CBA conditions they won't have much cap room.

[indeedproceed]

They'll have 44 million in salary (that's if they don't extend Lopez and he takes the QO much more likely somoen signs him and they are forced to let him walk or match), plus they'll be paying what two or three rookies from their first round picks? Add in the minimum salary cap holds for another few players and even under current CBA conditions they won't have much cap room.

If they trade Travis Outlaw along with 2 of their draft picks for a trade exception, how do they stand then?

[Fafnir]

They'll have 44 million in salary (that's if they don't extend Lopez and he takes the QO much more likely somoen signs him and they are forced to let him walk or match), plus they'll be paying what two or three rookies from their first round picks? Add in the minimum salary cap holds for another few players and even under current CBA conditions they won't have much cap room.

If they trade Travis Outlaw along with 2 of their draft picks for a trade exception, how do they stand then?

Well they'd have 7 million more in space that'd get them close. They could do the same with Rip to get more space too.

Lopez's status will determine things the most. If he signs a Andrea Bargnani size deal or greater then just Lopez/Melo/Outlaw will eat up 34 million at least.

[indeedproceed]

They'll have 44 million in salary (that's if they don't extend Lopez and he takes the QO much more likely somoen signs him and they are forced to let him walk or match), plus they'll be paying what two or three rookies from their first round picks? Add in the minimum salary cap holds for another few players and even under current CBA conditions they won't have much cap room.

If they trade Travis Outlaw along with 2 of their draft picks for a trade exception, how do they stand then?

Well they'd have 7 million more in space that'd get them close. They could do the same with Rip to get more space too.

Lopez's status will determine things the most. If he signs a Andrea Bargnani size deal or greater then just Lopez/Melo/Outlaw will eat up 34 million at least.

Well they also wouldn't be out the money they'd be paying 2 1sts, which is what, another 2-4 million?

[JSD]

In retrospect, the Outlaw and Farmar signings were terrible. It's Especially bad if it prevents them from participating in the 2012 FA market with Melo and Lopez on the books.