What to do if Brooklyn is as bad as advertised at the New Year mark?

[PhoSita]

We would be better off trading for a star then drafting and developing one. It's about timing. Assuming that we can get the "spunk" back from last year- as Tommy puts it- then we have a good thing going, minus a star. Our team now is probably better than the cast PP had to work with pre big 3. If we could just add a star 4 or 5 I think we could have a real shot at a title. Obviously LBJ is tough and the Cavs are no joke but we have some good D.


How about this for an off the wall idea. We trade Lee and the 2016 nets pick to the nets for Lopez and their 2019 first (or whatever first they can trade that they haven't already) I'd only do that if it looked like they were going to get a pick around 8-10.

Lopez is a horrible fit with what we're doing here.

Also, what we're missing compared to those pre-Garnett Celtics teams is a Paul Pierce type talent.  Neither Smart nor IT fits the bill.


Pick a handful of the younger role players currently on the roster, build them up along with Smart and whoever we draft with the Nets pick next summer, and then wait for an opportunity to add a reasonably young free agent who is established but still has room to grow (e.g. Greg Monroe this past summer).

[mef730]

So where's the line with a trade?

I think DMC is a yes, obviously. What about Melo? Love? What if the Brooklyn pick allows us to get a guy like Melo or Love without giving up Smart? At that point I think it'd be worth it.

DMC is not obvious for me IMO he has not proved that he can win in this league, only thing he has proven is that he is a total idiot!

Otherwise I'd have to be educated  as to who the top picks will be and how good they are suppose to be.

I don't get why you would say he's 'proven that he is a total idiot'.

I think DMC is one of the most misunderstood players in the league.  Despite the kings many (major) issues, he has been 100% loyal to that team even though, when most star players by now would have left via free agency or demanded a trade.

As for not proving he can win in the league - he has one of the top 5 real plus minus scores in the league last year, which gives a strong indication on how much he impacts his teams success.  Without him, they likely would have been fighting Philly for the worst record in the league.

The numbers simply don't lie.  Cousins has been a statistical freak - he's putting up stats that are right up there with absolutely any hall of fame center from the past 20 years or so.  Look up what guys like Olajuwon, Robinson, Shaq and Ewing were putting up at Cousins age and you'll see that DMC is a transcendent talent. 

He is a franchise player - a top 5 guy in the league (easily) and by far the best center in the NBA.

Yep. The 'Boogie is an idiot' narrative lingers from his college days and is completely unwarranted. He hasn't had any real attitude problems in years, which is pretty amazing considering the crap he has to put up with in Sacramento. And I don't know how he could possibly be expected to win anything with the (lack of) talent surrounding him. Boogie is a monster and we'd be beyond lucky to have him; he's truly one of the most dominant guys in the league.

Edit: He's also an awesome passer and would be such a great fit in CBS' system.

if he's an idiot give me a team full of him.

[mef730]

So realistically without any injuries or trades, they could be as bad as 6-24 or as good as 12-18. But let's assume they're closer to the bad side and start the new year between 5 and 8 wins. Remember, December through February is when trades start picking up in advance of the trade deadline.

What is their best move at that point? Since they'd pretty much already be out of the playoff race at that point, should they: a) blow it all up and try and bring in picks and younger pieces, or b) still keep it together since they have no incentive to blow it up or be bad?

What is our best move at that point? With the Nets picked firmly entrenched in a race for a bottom three seed, do we act proactively and try and utilize that pick to trade for a disgruntled star, or do we keep it until this summer when we know exactly when the pick will be?

(Rock) Brooklyn (Hard Place)

Blow it up:

Upside: Blow it up for draft picks and you'll get to start your rebuild earlier, knowing that it's going to be a few years.

Downside: You'll lose out on 2016 top free agents. Also, how many "bubble" teams are there who will have attractive draft picks and where Lopez is enough of an upgrade to make a difference? Since neither we nor Philly want him, and those two teams seem to control about 80% of the picks for this draft, that rules out a lot of options. There's probably a three-way trade to be made here, but I'm not creative enough to figure it out.

Stay intact:

Upside: You have no chance of getting a top free agent if Lopez is gone. Maybe you get lucky and pick up a couple of good free agents, which gives you a shot in the East.

Downside: I don't even know where to begin. First, didn't they try this a few years ago? I seem to remember that this thread is possible because of a similar move. They can't trade their future because it's already gone. Likewise, who is left in free agency that, paired with Lopez, could make this a title team? Mike Conley isn't going anywhere. Durant isn't in your future. And finally, you've delayed the rebuild another three years. If you're Brooklyn, you've gotta be realistic about your chances of landing a top guy.

Bottom Line:

It ain't pretty, but ya gotta blow it up. Brooklyn doesn't want to give us a top draft pick, but ya know what? That doesn't matter anymore. They might as well ask for ponies. The pick is gone. Poof. Disappeared. Swallow your pride, admit that you're hosed for the next few years and start over again. A team who needs Lopez now probably doesn't give you a great 2016 draft pick, but who knows what that same team looks like down the line? Maybe their 2018 pick is good.

Mike

[rondohondo]

you don't trade that pick for anything less than a young up and coming all-star

Giannis
Beal
Nerlens Noel
Gordon Hayward
Gobert
Cousins
Lillard
Ibaka

Those are probably the only young players I trade the pick for

and proven all-stars / superstars who still are relatively young

Durant
Westbrook
Klay Thompson
Paul George
Jimmy Butler
John Wall
Marc Gasol

There are more, but I don't see superstar players becoming available for trade in the near future.


But anyways , outside of those types of players coming back, I am not interested in moving that Brooklyn pick .

[BDeCosta26]

They are really in trouble man, it can't be understated just how bad they've looked so far. I can't fathom a world where that pick isn't AT LEAST in the top 8-10.

Some of us have been saying for a while that they're gonna be looking at making some moves to get back into the next few drafts. Now that the current season looks as bleak as it does for them, we'll be hearing more and more about potential Nets trades. The problem is, who do they really have to trade that can get them back in?

They might be able to get a late 1st for Johnson if he plays well enough and someone has the cap space/dead money to make the salaries work, but I'm starting to doubt that. I don't think Jack is bring back a 1st rounder, even a late one. So if you wanna get any half-way decent assets back you gotta trade Young and/or Lopez. But who would wanna give up a decent package for one/both of those guys. It wouldn't be us, I would say that's for sure. Phoenix maybe? They have picks and guys the Nets might want. I can't think of much else though.

If PHO offered up Morris, Len, Cleveland's 2016 pick and Miami's or their own 2018 pick (with light protections) for Lopez and Young would you take it if you were Brooklyn, maybe just for Lopez? Regardless, we should start looking at the top draft prospects now.

[mef730]

They are really in trouble man, it can't be understated just how bad they've looked so far. I can't fathom a world where that pick isn't AT LEAST in the top 8-10.

Some of us have been saying for a while that they're gonna be looking at making some moves to get back into the next few drafts. Now that the current season looks as bleak as it does for them, we'll be hearing more and more about potential Nets trades. The problem is, who do they really have to trade that can get them back in?

They might be able to get a late 1st for Johnson if he plays well enough and someone has the cap space/dead money to make the salaries work, but I'm starting to doubt that. I don't think Jack is bring back a 1st rounder, even a late one. So if you wanna get any half-way decent assets back you gotta trade Young and/or Lopez. But who would wanna give up a decent package for one/both of those guys. It wouldn't be us, I would say that's for sure. Phoenix maybe? They have picks and guys the Nets might want. I can't think of much else though.

If PHO offered up Morris, Len, Cleveland's 2016 pick and Miami's or their own 2018 pick (with light protections) for Lopez and Young would you take it if you were Brooklyn, maybe just for Lopez? Regardless, we should start looking at the top draft prospects now.

I'm not sure I get back enough if I'm the Nets. How much more upside do Len and Morris offer down the line than Lopez and Young offer now? I might do it just for Lopez.

The more I think about it, the more I think they have to monetize Lopez, and any other assets they can. I don't thing Jack or Johnson brings back a 1st rounder at this point, though. They may be a liability as part of a trade, not necessarily an asset. And I'm not getting a top free agent this year, even with Lopez.

One other Lopez issue: There is always the possibility of injury. He looks pretty sound now, and heaven know I'm not a doctor, but he's a big guy with foot problems. I have absolutely no clue what the chances are that he re-injures it but, if he does, he's not going to generate any return. I think that, as things begin to shake out, they've gotta be making phone calls.

Mike

[MikeJelly]

Hold on to the pick. Seriously i wanna build through the draft

[Quetzalcoatl]

The Marc Stein NBA/ESPN Power Rankings came out today and Nets are 29th out of 30 (we're 14th).  The best part of these is what teams do you think the Nets are better than?

The 76ers?  - The only clear yes answer in the league
Lakers? - Maybe, if the Lakers decide to out and out tank.  The problem is that the Lakers are very dependent on ticket sales, as the Buss Family uses them as a primary source of income, unlike other teams
Portland - No
Charlotte - No (MJ won't let them tank)
The Pacers - No
The Nuggets? - Probably not
Minnesota - No, plus they're already 2-0
Orlando - Probably not
Milwaukee - No
The Knicks? - No

I mean, the Nets are going to be baaaaaaaad this year.  It's so great

[MJohnnyboy]

The Marc Stein NBA/ESPN Power Rankings came out today and Nets are 29th out of 30 (we're 14th).  The best part of these is what teams do you think the Nets are better than?

The 76ers?  - The only clear yes answer in the league
Lakers? - Maybe, if the Lakers decide to out and out tank.  The problem is that the Lakers are very dependent on ticket sales, as the Buss Family uses them as a primary source of income, unlike other teams
Portland - No
Charlotte - No (MJ won't let them tank)
The Pacers - No
The Nuggets? - Probably not
Minnesota - No, plus they're already 2-0
Orlando - Probably not
Milwaukee - No
The Knicks? - No

I mean, the Nets are going to be baaaaaaaad this year.  It's so great

That's with Brook Lopez too.

Picture them without Brook Lopez.

[MJohnnyboy]

The difference between the Nets and the other teams at the bottom of the league is that atleast those teams have young players to develop. Philadelphia, Minnesota, Denver, Orlando, Milwaukee, Portland, Charlotte all atleast have some young value and picks even if some those teams listed aren't run by the most competent GMs.

Brooklyn has no such luxury. Even with Lopez, they are one of the worst teams in the league, and if Lopez gets hurt, they will be the worst team in the league. Hands down. Even worse than Philly.

[fairweatherfan]

The Marc Stein NBA/ESPN Power Rankings came out today and Nets are 29th out of 30 (we're 14th).  The best part of these is what teams do you think the Nets are better than?

The 76ers?  - The only clear yes answer in the league
Lakers? - Maybe, if the Lakers decide to out and out tank.  The problem is that the Lakers are very dependent on ticket sales, as the Buss Family uses them as a primary source of income, unlike other teams
Portland - No
Charlotte - No (MJ won't let them tank)
The Pacers - No
The Nuggets? - Probably not
Minnesota - No, plus they're already 2-0
Orlando - Probably not
Milwaukee - No
The Knicks? - No

I mean, the Nets are going to be baaaaaaaad this year.  It's so great

I don't think the Sixers are even a clear yes - they have fewer established players but a lot of youth and athleticism and they play hard, which goes a long way in the regular season where sustained effort is less common.  Plus, they haven't actually had the worst record in the league in either of their tanking years. 

I'm not saying they wind up better than the Nets, just that I wouldn't rule it out.

[mef730]

The Marc Stein NBA/ESPN Power Rankings came out today and Nets are 29th out of 30 (we're 14th).  The best part of these is what teams do you think the Nets are better than?

The 76ers?  - The only clear yes answer in the league
Lakers? - Maybe, if the Lakers decide to out and out tank.  The problem is that the Lakers are very dependent on ticket sales, as the Buss Family uses them as a primary source of income, unlike other teams
Portland - No
Charlotte - No (MJ won't let them tank)
The Pacers - No
The Nuggets? - Probably not
Minnesota - No, plus they're already 2-0
Orlando - Probably not
Milwaukee - No
The Knicks? - No

I mean, the Nets are going to be baaaaaaaad this year.  It's so great

I don't think the Sixers are even a clear yes - they have fewer established players but a lot of youth and athleticism and they play hard, which goes a long way in the regular season where sustained effort is less common.  Plus, they haven't actually had the worst record in the league in either of their tanking years. 

I'm not saying they wind up better than the Nets, just that I wouldn't rule it out.

Look at it this way, though: Unless Brooklyn gets lucky during the off-season, they'll be worse than Philly next year.

Mike

[snively]

I can see this team going in a number of directions.  We will keep open the possibility of landing a star... But if we are hovering under .500 mid season and don't have an option to trade for a star, don't be too shocked to see ainge trade off assets and tank.  It might be easier to do that when you know you have a shot at a star prospect through the Brooklyn pick.  And if people aren't given up stars for the pick, it might make more sense to build around the prospect.

A triple threat tanking operation would be pretty attractive - our own pick, Brooklyn and Dallas, plus an extremely remote chance at a 13 or 14 pick from Minny.

Add that a Philly team with their own certain lotto pick and a good chance at the Lakers certain lotto pick and an okay chance at a late lotto pick from Miami.

If all goes well, 7 of the 14 lotto picks could go to Boston and Philly.  How cool would be to see Tommy, Russell, Cousy and KC Jones each commandeering a podium on lottery night, with Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham and Chet Walker for Philly.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I watched all of their games, they don't look as bad as I would like. I can see them pulling out some wins they shouldn't while winning what they should. It is a good thing they are playing a LOT of "should lose" games.