Yes, I know they are old. Yes, I know they are not the players they used to be when they played for the Nets. But here's why I think we should go after them:
First of all, I think the Nets should spend the big bucks on starting forwards. We should get someone like David West (Stephenson has an article today saying we will undoubtedly pursue him), and try to re-sign the Hump. For the SF spot, I like Kirilenko. If we spend most of our cap space on those positions, then we will need to fill other holes with players on cheap contracts.
Martin and Carter could still contribute a lot on complementary roles.
Martin is averaging 7.3 ppg (on .500 FG), 5.6 rpg and 2.4 apg in just 24 mpg. That's more assists than any of our bigs average in more minutes a night. Last month, he nearly had a triple-double against the Bucks. Martin's a great defender. His D is still better than any of our bigs'. Karl calls him their defensive quarterback. He would be great behind Lopez, West and Hump. Given his age and injury history, I don't think he'll get more than the veterans minimum, and if that's the price, he'd be a great pick up!
As for Carter, I know he looked terrible on Monday when the Suns came to town. But he's having a decent season for someone his age. He dropped 23 on us the previous time we faced PHX. Yes, he isn't that explosive any more. But, at age 34, he's putting up better numbers than any of our SGs... and he's doing it on a better team. He's averaging 14.1 ppg (on .438 FG and .365 from 3 pt territory), 4.2 rpg and 2.1 apg in 29.4 mpg. Also, he was doing better in Orlando (this season) than in Phoenix... I think that, with the Suns, he has to do more than what he should... other than Nash, they don't have anyone else with enoug offensive talent... playing alongside Deron, Lopez and someone like West could help VC's production. He and Morrow would be a nice SG tandem. Carter is a more complete player (he's averaging more rebs and asst while playing less minutes, he's had 12 7+ reb performances this season, a couple DDs) and he would be a nice veteran to have next to the 25-year-old Morrow. I don't think he will get more than something like 1 year and $3M/ 3.5M at most.
I'm not sold on any of the SG available this summer (Crawford, Afflalo, Richardson) to commit a big amount of money on them. IMO, it'd be better to spend that money on a good SF and bring in a cheap SG.
Again, I'm not saying those would be our main additions, but complementary ones that would help us complete the roster and fill some holes. And don't underestimate their value as strong lockerroom presences and how much their veteran leadership would bring to our team. At this point in their careers they won't be able to command a lot of money and if, after (hopefully) adding a couple of starters, we are gonna have to sign players to cheap contracts to fill out the roster, they would be far better options than D-Leaguers or journeymen.
Thoughts?