The problem with the Nets Picks

[celticsclay]

Hey all,

Apologies if this has been said in another thread, but I haven't seen much discussion of two major problems with the Nets Picks.  Everyone keeps pointing out that the Nets picks will be good in later years cause their players will be old and they will suck. It is true they are old BUT:

1) They are now a major market team spending as much money as anyone. Unless they have an ownership change, when these players retire (Garnett Pierce Johnson) they will just trade them as expiring deals for teams looking at salary cap relief. Look at the biggest market teams throwing money around for the past decade: Dallas, New York and LA  How many top 5 or even top 10 picks have they had? I think the number is zero but could be wrong

2) Given that the Nets don't own their picks, they have even more incentive to field an average to solid team in those years because they will at least sell some tickets and maybe get some playoff money. Are they really going to allow themselves to be a terrible team, have terrible attendance and get no playoff revenue when the one good thing that could happen from that is going to another team?


Yes the stars could align and we could end up with a top pick, but please keep in mind billionare major market owners don't field teams like the kings, suns and bobcats have. That is what the nets are. We are most likely getting a bunch of mid to late first round picks and a bad contract in Wallace. I hate the trade

[Who]

Yeah, I am not all that optimistic about those picks either.

I think they are most likely to be in that 15-22 range.

[Roy H.]

I agree as well.  The Nets roster certainly doesn't look like it will age well, but I think their ownership group will come up with ways to stay competitive.

[celticsclay]

Will this be the first thread in Celtics blog history where nobody disagrees? I guess maybe I was just stating the obvious, but I had read a lot of people saying they would be lottery picks in other threads.

[rbk526]

the 2014 pick the nets traded 2 the celtics is from atlanta from the joe jonhson trade its not protected and if the celtics get josh smith or if he signs with another team that pick could be a lotto pick

[rondoallaturca]

Will this be the first thread in Celtics blog history where nobody disagrees? I guess maybe I was just stating the obvious, but I had read a lot of people saying they would be lottery picks in other threads.

That's optimistic thinking, but as long as they have their Russian billionaire, they're in good standing. Pierce's contract is done after next year and KG's in two. In three year's Johnson is off the books. It's a bit foolish to think that once these players leave, the Nets return to obscurity again. They will reload and stay competitive.

[Fafnir]

the 2014 pick the nets traded 2 the celtics is from atlanta from the joe jonhson trade its not protected and if the celtics get josh smith or if he signs with another team that pick could be a lotto pick

No its not, its the nets pick.

Additionally the Hawks have the right to swap picks with the Nets, thus we will get the lowest pick of the Hawks/Nets next year.

[Roy H.]

Will this be the first thread in Celtics blog history where nobody disagrees? I guess maybe I was just stating the obvious, but I had read a lot of people saying they would be lottery picks in other threads.

No, there's going to be plenty of disagreement, trust me.

[Birdman]

Yeah, I am not all that optimistic about those picks either.

I think they are most likely to be in that 15-22 range.

I agree!!! Maybe mid 20's...Nets are going to be good for awhile and alot of players will come to Brooklyn and they have an owner who has deep pockets..Bad trade indeed

[celticsclay]

the 2014 pick the nets traded 2 the celtics is from atlanta from the joe jonhson trade its not protected and if the celtics get josh smith or if he signs with another team that pick could be a lotto pick

My understanding is that this is not correct. It is New Jersey's pick and Atlanta has the option of switching with them if they would like. This means we end up with whichever pick is worst out of both teams. The only way it would be a lottery pick is if both the nets and hawks were in the lottery, which I would put at 1000-1

[CelticG1]

It really depends on how other things will shake up with our team over the next few years.

Who knows where are picks will be and who knows what the drafrs will look like.

It definitely gives you some wiggle room for trades and acquiring other pieces and could speed up a rebuild. Gives you more wiggle room to trade up in a draft as well

I'd be pretty surprised if we end up drafting every one of those picks.

Plus you don't know how brroklyn will shake up down the line. Look at LA. Injuries and dysfunction could play a role in the team following from grace

[CelticG1]

If you look at the top 10 nba teams all of hem look kile they will be good for a long time.

They either are big market or have young superstars.

It'd be hard to find a trading partner for KG and Pierce where in return you fet set up with quality picks right?

[LooseCannon]

Yes the stars could align and we could end up with a top pick, but please keep in mind billionare major market owners don't field teams like the kings, suns and bobcats have. That is what the nets are. We are most likely getting a bunch of mid to late first round picks and a bad contract in Wallace. I hate the trade

When billionaire major market owners field bad teams, they look like the pre-Carmelo Knicks.  There's probably a 20-25% chance that the Nets do some sort of transaction in the next five years that is worse than trading for Gerald Wallace and giving him a big contract.

This trade doesn't guarantee lottery picks, but it's probably the trade involving Pierce and/or Garnett that gives the Celtics the biggest chance of acquiring a top five pick from another team.

[Moranis]

Top 10 cities in the country by Metropolitan area population

1. NY
2. LA
3. Chicago
4. Dallas
5. Houston
6. Philadelphia
7. Washington
8. Miami
9. Atlanta
10. Boston

Dallas, Philly & Washington did not make the playoffs this year.

Last year - Nets, Wizards, & Rockets did not make the playoffs

Year before - Nets, Wizards, Rockets & Clippers

Year before - Knicks, Sixers, Nets, Wizards, Clippers, & Rockets

Year before - Nets, Knicks, Wizards, & Clippers

Year before - Nets, Knicks, Bulls, Heat, & Clippers

Year before - Sixers, Knicks, Celtics, Bulls, Hawks, & Clippers

I think you get the point.

[PhoSita]

Big spenders put out terrible teams all the time.  See what the Lakers did this year, or what the Knicks have done in the past.

Also, even if none of these picks ends up in the lottery, it could still be very valuable, either as a sweetener in a future move, or for getting a useful role player.

Danny Ainge has a pretty good record of getting good players in the 15-22 range (Jefferson, Rondo, Bradley, Sullinger etc).