Some Suggestions for the Upcoming Off-Season

 This is the most important off-season in the history of the franchise. The Nets need to be aggressive this off-season and improve the roster rather than wait for Dwight Howard and risk losing Deron Williams. The Nets need to get quality players with experience, not projects. Players such as Thaddeus Young and Jeff Green should not be priorities. Deron Williams said he wants proven veterans on this team, so that is what we should get. These are some moves I feel they should make this off-season.

Sign Tayshaun Prince to 3-Year, $9 million contract, 14.1 ppg - 4.2 rpg - 2.8 apg

Prince is a proven winner that the Nets need on this team. He is a good defender who can also score the ball when needed. He is a veteran presence that the Nets have been lacking. He would be a good wing for Deron to kick it out to when he penetrates. Tayshaun Prince would be the guy that can defend the elite Small Forwards, that is very important in the playoffs. This is a very young, developing team that would value Prince's services. He would come cheaper than most Small Forwards on the market. He is 31 years old and still has a few good years left.

Sign Jason Richardson to 2-Year, $14 million Contract, 15.6 ppg - 4.1 rpg - 1.8 apg

Richardson is the scorer the Nets need. He can shoot and drive to the basket. He will benefit greatly from playing next to a point guard like Deron Williams, he has already excelled playing with Steve Nash, averaging 19.2 ppg with the Suns. The Nets have been lacking a scorer like Richardson, a guy who can score off the dribble. This move would also move Anthony Morrow to the bench, making the bench much stronger. The Nets would benefit from a veteran scorer like Richardson. He is 30 years old and barring injury should still have 3-4 years left without decline. 

Sign Tracy McGrady to 1-Year, $2 million Contract, 8.0 ppg - 3.5 rpg - 3.5 apg

McGrady can be a solid bench player at a cheap price. McGrady still has the ability to be a decent scorer at the backup Small Forward position. He could be the spark off the bench that can hit a big shot when needed. He would be a good piece to a bench that doesn't have much experience. He would come cheap because of his age and injuries. He is 32 years old but has been hit with injuries over his career.

Re-Sign Kris Humphries to 3-Year, $18 million Contract, 10.0 ppg - 10.1 rpg - 1.1 bpg 

After Humphries breakout season, it is obvious that Humphries is a top priority for the Nets to Re-Sign. Humphries is the guy who can get all of the garbage points and rebounds while also blocking shots. Many feel that he cant be the starting Power Forward for the Nets. I disagree, if the Nets can get enough scoring out of their starting lineup, Humphries doesn't have to score much. I think Hump can consistently score 8-9 ppg and grab 10 rpg. For example, Carl Landry was the starting Power Forward on the Hornets, who were a playoff team. He averaged 11.4 ppg along with 4.6 rpg, that team almost upset the Lakers in the first round. Humphries has more value because of his rebounding, so i think the Nets can win with him at Power Forward. He is still only 26 years old which is very young and he should be consistent for a while.

Salary Cap Situation

The Nets have $19 million in cap space this year

The total cap hit for Prince, Richardson, Humphries and McGrady is $19 million

The Nets would be able to successfully sign these four players with the amount of cap space they have.

They would also be able to trade for Dwight Howard because they still have Lopez and their picks but the Nets would no longer be able to sign him outright in 2012.

2011-12 Depth Chart

Williams / Farmar / Gaines

Richardson /  Morrow

Prince / McGrady / James

Humphries / Outlaw

Lopez / Petro

I feel this team can make a Deep Playoff run and be a dangerous threat in the playoffs. If the Nets managed to trade for Dwight Howard, they would be instant title contenders.This lineup has the ability to score and play defense and has a veteran presence that the Nets have been lacking. McGrady brings stability to the bench and Morrow provides shooting of the bench, I also think Damion James will have a great opportunity to develop under McGrady.  The Nets have to make moves now to keep Deron, or risk losing him, this is a very important off-season for the Nets and i hope they make the right decisions or this franchise will not be successful. It's in Billy King's hands now.