Marc Stein writes Saturday about how the Nets wouldn't have taken Damian Lillard in last year's draft even if they had kept the pick . They were confident they would re-sign Deron Williams. Instead, they would have taken Tyler Zeller of UNC.
As Draft Night 2012 moved into the second round, the Nets started maneuvering to acquire Tyshawn Taylor, who they had listed as a late first rounder. The Blazers were willing to sell, but the price --$2 million-- was steep. The Nets didn't blink.
Overall, you'd have to give them an "A" for the off-season, maybe even an A+. We grade each of the Nets moves since Billy King and Bobby Marks took over. We try to avoid "Incomplete" because you could give that grade to all the moves at this point.
In another indication of Mikhail Prokhorov's willingness to spend, the Nets paid out $2.75 million on Draft Night to secure the draft rights of Tyshawn Taylor, taken at #41, and Toko Shengelia, taken at #54.
In what may or may not be related news, Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Nets and Knicks, not the Heat, are in the lead position for Marcus Camby. The 16-year veteran is an unrestricted free agent who the Rockets would like to package in a sign-and-trade
After a meeting that last several hours, Deron Williams had nothing to announce about his choice of destination. The meeting was described this way by Sam Amick, "Source says Nets' meeting with Deron Williams 'went well,' but no word on a decision."
So in our latest NetsDaily Off-Season Report, wet ake a closer look at the three players the Nets drafted, catch up on some news that took place during the week and WORRY OURSELVES SICK!
We've been a bit skeptical of draft grades ever since 2005 when Dick Vitale compared Antoine Wright to Dwyane Wade. (Ed Stefanski compared him to Allan Houston.) So we ask that you take history into account and the ratings with a grain of salt.
Remember when the Nets would have a press conference to introduce their new draft pick. The pick or picks would hold up their Nets uniform jersey and smile before being asked about their hopes and dreams. Well, this year the Nets don't have uniform jerseys to hold up and their big get, Tyshawn Taylor, was taken at #41.
In Lawrence, Kansas, Tyshawn Taylor was seen as controversial, a tough city kid with a chip on his shoulder but with another athleticism and court smarts to help lead a team all the way to college's last game. At the end, his coach summed up his career this way.
With the selection of two 6'10" 21-year-old European big men, the Nets were not looking at this fall. They were looking long term and they hope they can emulate the success of the San Antonio Spurs who've made a habit of drafting European players low and then letting them develop overseas. The Spurs have have three such Euros in camp this year.
After failing to acquire a first round pick, the Nets purchased two picks and kept their own second round pick, ending up with Tyshawn Taylor, the Kansas point guard, at #41,and two European big...
We expect to be at the Prudential Center Thursday night, with our laptop, ready to soak in the proceedings and record them as they happen. Here's some helpful hints of what to look for between now and then and on Draft Day...starting as early as this afternoon!
This year will be a big challenge for the Nets. They currently have only the #57 pick. They expect to move up but how far? Who knows if they will. One thing is for sure. If they do, it will add to the Nets' Draft Night lure, which is filled with wonders and blunders, like most teams, with the exception of the Spurs who never seem to screw up!
Billy King isn't sure he'll move in the Draft Thursday but he wasn't sure last year either and he did two deals.
Nets types offer words like "confident" and "comfortable" when discussing how things look as they move into the draft and free agency, where nothing less than the future of the franchise will be on the line. Best of luck to all of them. Here's a quick look at the key dates coming up, some of which are set in stone, some of which are flexible.
The Mavericks have let Jeff Schwartz, the agent for Lamar Odom (as well as Deron Williams and Jason Kidd) pursue a trade to the Clippers in hopes of reducing their cap space and enhancing their chances to add other free agents. But the Clippers want the Mavs or a third team to take on Mo Williams' $8.5 million player option next season.
Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports tries his hand at ranking general managers at drafting and Billy King comes out well, finishing third behind only Sam Presti of Oklahoma City and Geoff Petrie of Sacramento
David Aldridge reports on NBA TV that the Nets are calling around the league hoping to move up in the lottery where they would like to take "someone like Thomas Robinson", the NCAA Player of the Year and a projected top four pick. Aldridge said the Nets hope to use Robinson to close the deal with Deron Williams.
It's still likely, at a time of uncertainty, is that the Nets will hang on to the 57th pick, obtained in an odd transaction that brought Chris Quinn to the Nets and sent Rafer Alston to the Heat. It's not that great of a commodity.
Chad Ford and Marc Stein report that the Rockets are trying to move up in the Draft to acquire enough assets to lure the Magic into a Thursday night deal for Dwight Howard. Houston has been interested in Howard since last year even if the All-Star center isn't interested in signing a long term deal with them.
In a round-up of draft rumors on Twitter, Sam Amico of FOX Sports reports that the Nets may be interested in acquiring the Heat pick at #27. The Heat, Bulls and Thunder, bunched at the bottom of the first round, are all reportedly willing to divest themselves of picks...and the salary commitments that come with them.
Sports Legion which has broken several stories lately reports Sunday in a tweet that the Nets and Lakers are interested in acquiring one of the Rockets picks at #14 and #16.
A week from Sunday, that's July 1, we'll know who the Nets drafted (and maybe traded for) and have a good idea of what Deron Williams and Gerald Wallace are going to do; how much the Nets have offered Brook Lopez and for how long; and where Jordan Farmar stands on his future. It's only the future of the franchise and our Off-Season Report
Ryan Blake, the NBA's director of scouting, talked with the Nets website this week on the team's draft prospects, from what players could work at #57; why you move up in a draft; which position is strongest this year (power forward) and the weakest (point guard) and Billy King and Bobby Marks track record when David Stern starts calling names.
As of now, the Nets have only one pick in the Draft and it's three from the end at #57. They've already seen a lot of the talent that will available down there during the mass workout they hosted at the PNY Center in May. While everyone expects them to acquire a first round pick, agents are more concerned about scheduling clients for workouts with teams that are already in the first round.
