PG: Rondo, Pressey
SG: Bradley, Lee, Crawford, Brooks
SF: Green, Wallace, Bogans, Kris Joseph
PF: Sully, Bass, Randolph
C: Humphries, Melo, Olynyk,
I think there are still at least a few moves to be made before next year. We still need a starting center, unless you believe that Fab Melo will become that guy (in which case congratulations for being the most optimistic person in the history of the world.
1. Humphries will either get dealt before the season starts (someone on twitter already suggested that the rumor of Humphries for Ben Gordon could resurface. My hope is that he gets extended minutes produces to the tune of a double double then nets us another first.
2. I think we do something with the non guaranteed guys, presumably we are also getting back a non guaranteed contract, hopefully we can move it for someone that will help us (Thomas Robinson wasn't traded as expected last night but the Rockets need to shed salary to offer Dwight the max.
3. Crash used to be one of my favorite players, he was a plus defender that excelled in the open court and rebounded excellently. To me he is much better suited for a small ball running lineup 4 than a 3 because of his lack of shooting. Last season the Nets had one of the slowest paces in the league (28th), I hope the style and him playing out of position contributed to his career worst year and not age. I am cautiously optimistic that he will play great to start the year, so that we can move him for an expiring contract.
4. I think Bass and Lee have to have some value around the league. Bass especially seems like a good glue guy for a playoff team.
5. I think Brooks could fetch us something for the future
It'll be interesting following this team next year. On one hand I want them to be awful so they can get a guy in next years draft who will put them in the playoffs in 2014-2015 (I think this is actually plausible).
On the other hand it would be a lot of fun to see them overachieve, for us to over achieve I think you need a few of the following to happen: Rondo and Green to have career years, Bradley and Sullinger to improve, Crash and Humphries to have bounce back years and/or Olynyk ends up being the player I think he is. If a bunch of things from this list happen we won't get a high draft pick to help us build, but pieces will present themselves that we can build around.
I obviously love KG and Pierce but I will be rooting for them to lose every single game they play in Brooklyn (I will also be rooting for the Hawks to suck). To me it wouldn't be a shock if the Nets were derailed by injuries. Remember of their starting 5 every player (besides Joe Johnson) is either old or has past injury history.