BY CHRIS MANNIX

With potential suitors wary of his salary demands, Phoenix is having trouble moving Amar’e Stoudemire.

It’s like the Craigslist ad that you refresh twice to be sure it’s not a put-on: Used All-Star center. Runs the floor like a gazelle, attacks the rim and knocks down the midrange j’s. Equal value not required! As the Suns fade in the Western Conference race, the rest of the league is keenly aware that 6′ 10″ power forward Amar’e Stoudemire is on the market. While it seems like a no-brainer for Phoenix to swap Stoudemire—a potential free agent who has been dogged by questions about his attitude–the team is finding that offering a star at deep discount leads to one thing: a slew of unacceptable, almost insulting offers.

…

Stoudemire’s contract is not the only concern for would-be suitors. “He’s a handful,” says a source familiar with the Suns. “Great talent, lot of baggage.” Some Phoenix teammates privately wonder whether his commitment to winning (read: defense) will ever match his drive to fill a stat sheet. What’s more, Stoudemire missed 29 games last season with a partially detached retina after sitting out all but three games in 2005-06 while recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee.

“That’s two serious injuries in five years,” says an Eastern executive. “If you are a G.M., you have to consider that before you commit to him for the long term.”

Add it all up and it equals a lukewarm market. While at least eight teams have expressed interest in Stoudemire (including Chicago, Cleveland, Golden State, New Jersey and Washington) none so far have offered anything to get Phoenix’s attention.

The last-place Nets, however, should. Mikhail Prokhorov, the team’s deep-pocketed new owner, wants to make a splash, and signing Stoudemire to an extension accomplishes that. Stoudemire’s attitude is likely to improve in a new environment, and he could be a perfect complement to uptempo point guard Devin Harris
and low-post threat Brook Lopez.

The cost would be steep; any deal for Stoudemire is likely to include New Jersey’s first-round pick, which would give them the best chance at the No. 1 choice. But cornerstone power forwards in the prime of their careers don’t become available every day. With a top pick in their pocket the Suns would give their fans hope for the future. And Stoudemire, finally, could move on.

Is it John Wall or bust for the Nets? Should they fail to land the No. 1 pick (and the chance to draft the Kentucky superfreshman), league sources expect New Jersey to explore trading its choice-which, barring a miraculous turnaround, can be no worse than fourth. One option could be Ricky Rubio. The Timberwolves hold the rights to the Spanish point guard, who signed a six-year deal with Regal Barcelona last summer that does not have a buyout clause until 2011. However if the Nets—who are high on Rubio’s wish list—were to acquire his rights, he would try to negotiate a buyout after this season….

–Chris Mannix

Beat writers have been tracking the progress of the Nets sale and although there’s nothing definitive on when the NBA Board of Governors will approve Mikhail Prokhorov as owner–or whether that’s the final step to put him in charge, it looks like the first planning meetings on the team’s future will take place during All-Star Weekend, Feb 12-14. Rod Thorn and Brett Yormark will participate. The two first met Prokhrov in October. Among the issues: whether Thorn will continue as president of basketball operations.

From Fred Kerber, New York Post, February 1:

Incoming owner, Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, will meet with team president Rod Thorn and CEO Brett Yormark at All-Star Weekend in Dallas to discuss the state of the team and future plans. Still, there is no set date for Prokhorov’s takeover. He still needs Board of Governors approval and nothing has been determined for a date. It might come All-Star Weekend. A league source said if the vote were planned then, it likely would be common knowledge but that’s not the case. Prokhorov also must be granted possession of land for Brooklyn site by New York State.

From Dave D’Alessandro, Star Ledger, January 29:

The Nets organization is operating under the premise that the NBA Board of Governors will officially ratify Mikhail Prokhorov’s purchase of the team during All-Star Weekend in Dallas. Also that weekend, Prokhorov has his first planning meeting scheduled with CEO Brett Yormark and president Rod Thorn, according to an official who is not authorized to speak for the team.

From Mitch Lawrence, New York Daily News, January 30:

Once Prokhorov is officially approved in a vote of owners that will likely come in March, he’s going to want to make a splash, according to an ownership source. Incidentally, Prokhorov will get his first taste of an NBA showcase event when he attends the All-Star Game next month in Dallas.

From Fred Kerber, New York Post, January 28:

Although unlikely, the Board of Governors could vote on Mikhail Prokhorov at the All-Star Game, a league source said, but a spokesman for the Russian billionaire said “no specific date” is down for his taking over the team.

From Dave D’Alessandro, Nets Blast, January 28:

Only the oligarch knows for sure, and Thorn won’t meet with him for another few weeks — whether it’s before or after the Board of Governors vote depends on whom you consult. Right now, the final transfer is being held up by two things — lawyers and paperwork — but there is a meeting scheduled with Thorn and Brett Yormark before or during All-Star Weekend.

From Al Iannazzone, The Record, January 27:

Mikhail Prokhorov is expected to take over majority ownership of the Nets in the first quarter of 2010, but it probably won’t be until the very end of the first quarter.

Multiple sources said the Russian billionaire may not take control of the team from Bruce Ratner until March. It’s possible it could go into the second quarter, early April, depending on when everyone and everything is cleared from the Atlantic Yards site in Brooklyn – the “vacant possessions” condition that needs to be met for the sale to go through.

Prokhorov also needs to be approved by the NBA’s Board of Governors, which could happen next month.

Rudy Gay is having a good year for the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 20.1 and 6.0 for team that is the biggest surprise in the NBA. The athletic 6′8″ small forward had a 41-point game early in the season and four others of 30 or more. He’s still a defensive liability but has improved other parts of his game as well as his physical strength. He’s not so selfish any more for one thing. And he’s still only 23, younger than Courtney Lee and Kris Humphries and all the other top tier free agents.

And by all accounts, the Nets are interested in him…particularly if they think they don’t have much a shot at some of the bigger names like LeBron, D-Wade or Chris Bosh. But unlike them, he’ll be a restricted free agent in July. The Grizzlies can match any offer made by another team…but will they?

Gay became a restricted free agent last October when he turned down the Grizzlies’ last offer, a five-year deal worth about $50 million. He reportedly wanted $10 million more. Gay’s message was clear: he’d like to see what he can get this July and then force the Grizzlies to match if they want. Under the collective bargaining agreement, the Grizzlies would have seven days to match any offer sheet sent Gay by another team. It’s increasingly rare that teams take that chance because most of the time, the player’s team matches.

That’s where Mikhail Prokhorov comes in. Along with the Bobcats, Sixers and the Pacers, the Grizzlies are in bad financial shape. The Nets, with Prokhorov, could be the team that can come up with an offer that would scare off Memphis.

And even if the Grizzlies did want to keep Gay, there are ways around the CBA to make it more difficult. Ask Thorn or Kiki Vandeweghe. They were on opposite sides of the Kenyon Martin poker game five years ago. Here’s what happened and it’s instructive for the future: the Nets said they would wait for Martin to get an offer sheet, knowing only two teams, the Hawks and Nuggets, had enough cap space to sign him to the max deal, which was clearly what Martin wanted. Instead, Vandeweghe called the Nets’ bluff and informed Thorn what the Nuggets were prepared to offer: a break-the-bank contract that included a $15 million bonus up front and a 12% trade bonus at the back plus another onerous add-on: Martin would get his first year salary up front rather than over the course of the year. The effect was that the Nets would have had to pay Kmart $23 million on signing…in less than two weeks. Bruce Ratner was, at the point, cash-poor and the Nuggets, i.e. Vandeweghe, knew it. Besides, he had a billionaire owner backing him in Stan Kroenke.

Instead of formalizing the offer sheet, and take the risk that the Nets might match, Vandeweghe decided discretion was the better part of valor: he proposed a sign-and-trade. The Nets would sign Martin to a more standard contract, then trade him to the Nets for three lottery-protected draft picks (two of which were the cornerstone of the Vince Carter trade five months later). Done deal.

Not much has changed since then: teams that offer a restricted free agent a contract can add in a signing bonus of up to 17.5% of the contract total and a trade bonus of up to 15%. So in Gay’s case, if the Nets signed him to a five-year $60 million contract, he can get a bonus of $10.5 million up front upon signing. So for his first year, Gay would get $10.5 million upon signing plus the first year’s salary of $9.9 million, either throughout the season, or upfront, his choice. That could mean $20.4 million in salary and signing bonus for the 2010-11 season and maybe all in one lump sum! Think the Grizzlies can afford that when they’ll have to sign O.J. Mayo, Marc Gasol and possibly Hasheem Thabeet over the next three years? The trade bonus is also onerous. If traded at any time in the five year length of the contract, Gay would get 15% of his remaining contract as a bonus.

The Grizzlies understand the situation. Last week, they tried to trade for Ronnie Brewer of the Jazz, offering a first round pick. As Adrian Wojnarowski wrote on his Twitter page, “Grizzlies interest in Utah’s Ronnie Brewer is future insurance for losing Rudy Gay thru deadline trade or free agency, league sources say.”

Would the Grizzlies trade Gay at the deadline to get something in return. Doubtful, but possible. The Grizzlies do have a chance at the playoffs and team chemistry is one reason. Also, since Gay makes only $3.3 million, it would be hard to get equal value back. But if suddenly, Brewer winds up in Tennessee, don’t be surprised if trade rumors intensify.

February 12-14 — 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend, Dallas. NBA Board of Governors expected to approve Mikhail Prokhorov as Nets owner. General managers talk face-to-face. Once weekend is over, trades get announced.

February 18, 3 p.m. EST – Trade deadline. The Nets have more then $32 million in expiring contracts. If they don’t trade the likes of Bobby Simmons, Tony Battie, Trenton Hassell etc., expect the Nets to waive them to free up the roster for D-League auditions.

February 28 –- Nets must inform NJSEA whether it will stay at the IZOD or move to Newark. Will the $7.5 million penalty still be a factor?

March 1 – Nets must inform the NBA of where they intend to play in 2010-11. Deadline for playoff rosters: players must be waived by March 1 to join playoff rosters.

April 12 – Last home game of the season, vs. Charlotte. Last NBA game at the IZOD?

April 14 – Last game of the season, at Miami. As luck would have it, the game will probably matter for the Heat. What’s the record? Is it a record?

May 18 – During half time of a conference championship game, representatives of the 14 non-playoff teams gather in Secaucus for the NBA Draft lottery. John Wall’s fate is determined.

June 24, 7 p.m. EST – NBA Draft, Madison Square Garden, New York. Nets’ $1.3 million trade exception, the remainder of the Vince Carter trade exception, expires.

May 1 — If Nets can’t work out full-season move to Newark by March, this is the deadline for informing the league of the team’s desire to play some games in Newark during 2010-11.

June 29 — Nets must exercise team options for Keyon Dooling ($3.82 million with a $500,000 buyout) and Chris Douglas-Roberts ($854,389). Kris Humphries must exercise his player option ($3.2 million). Contracts for Rod Thorn, Kiki Vandeweghe and the rest of the Nets’ coaching staff expire. Of front office and coaching staffs, only Bobby Marks, VP of basketball operations, has a contract beyond June 30.

July 1 – NBA teams can begin negotiating with free agents. Expect reports of signings almost immediately. Nets can renounce cap holds for players with expiring contracts.

July 8 – NBA teams can officially begin signing free agents.

Beyond events with dates certain, there are other events, starting with the Barclays Center ground breaking. That’s anticipated shortly after Prokhorov gets approved. The Nets are also awaiting word on an arena critics’ petition for a rehearing of the eminent domain case before the state Court of Appeals. That’s highly unlikely. There’s also a ruling expected in mid-March on the critics’ last remaining lawsuit–one that contends the ESDC should have demanded a new environmental impact statement on Atlantic Yards, citing the various changes made since the 2006 EIS. Again, that’s not likely to go in their favor.

The NBA Board of Governors is “days away” from approving Mikhail Prokhorov as the Nets’ new owner, according to reports. There’s also confirmation of a month-old report that the Russian billionaire has agreed to throw another $100 million into Barclays Center.

In a report on Saturday’s game with the Jazz, the Star-Ledger’s Dave D’Alessandro wrote, “the oligarch is just days away from getting the keys to the crumbling kingdom” while a Nets insider adds that the NBA board is expected to meet and approve Prokhorov as principal owner before the end of the month. Prokhorov passed the league’s background check more than a month ago, according to the New York Times.

Prokhorov needs the votes of 23 of the league’s 30 owners to gain control of the franchise and become the NBA’s first owner outside North America. In a recent interview with SovSport, a Russian sports website, Prokhorov expressed optimism that it wouldn’t be an issue. He said he has been “surprised by the almost unanimous support” from the owners and expected ”to complete the transaction in the first quarter of 2010.” Two owners, the Mavs’ Mark Cuban and the Celtics’ Wyc Grousbeck have publicly welcomed his purchase of the Nets, as has David Stern.

Meanwhile, it appears he’s going to add to his already substantial investment in the team and the Brooklyn arena project. Last December, Project Finance magazine hinted Prokhorov was prepared to provide much of the final piece of Barclays Center financing: $146.8 million in bonds for arena infrastructure. Bond rating agencies had required that the arena infrastructure bonds—to fund physical structures connecting the arena to the rest of Atlantic Yards—be marketed separately from the $511 million needed for the actual arena construction. The infrastructure bonds will be issued by the arena holding company while the arena construction bonds are being issued by the Brooklyn Arena Local Development Corp., a state agency.

Project Finance wrote back then that in addition to having a “majority position” in the team (80%) and a “substantial minority position” (45%) in the arena, Prokhorov would have a “majority position in the subordinated bonds”, that is, bonds for the infrastructure. That majority position wasn’t further described. Project Finance added the decision to issue the bonds would be made in January. (The bonds, because they are corporate and not tax-exempt, weren’t covered by the December 31 deadline. That applied only to the arena construction bonds.)

Now, there’s word from inside the franchise that Prokhorov has indeed committed to buying more than two-thirds of the infrastructure bonds–$100 million worth. The remainder will reportedly be marketed by Forest City Enterprises, the Cleveland-based company that is currently the team’s biggest shareholder at 23%. FCE is controlled by Bruce Ratner’s extended family.

The manner in which the debt is structured will also give Prokhorov effective control over the arena and in fact could give him actual control in one (unlikely) circumstance.

As Project Finance wrote in December, “If Prokhorov buys the subordinated [infrastructure] bonds, which are serviced through lower quality and more uncertain cashflows, and the project experiences a sustained period of weak financial performance, then in the event of a default on the subdebt, he would take control of the project.”

Critics have noted the consequences of such a default. Norman Oder of Atlantic Yards Report wrote, “The upshot, though, is that the enormous state effort to get the project going–the Blight Study, the use of eminent domain, the tax-exempt bonds, etc.–could turn out to provide the most significant benefits to Russia’s richest man.”

Prokhorov has already agreed to invest $200 million to secure 80% of the team, 45% of Barclays Center and an option to purchase 20% of the overall Brooklyn project, the $5 billion Atlantic Yards. He also agreed to assume 80% of the team’s debt, approximately $175 million, and eat $60 million of the Nets’ operating losses while they remain in New Jersey.

Construction of the arena is expected to take two years, during which the team hopes to move temporarily to Newark’s Prudential Center. The NJSEA, the Nets landlord at the IZOD Center, has thus far refused to waive a $7.5 million penalty the franchise would have to pay to move from the IZOD to “the Rock”. The Nets have refused to say the penalty is a deal-breaker and expressed continuing interest in the move.

Andreas Bargnani and Yi Jianlian…

Both seven footers? Check and check.

Both international stars? Check and check.

Both compared to Dirk Nowitzki? Check and check.

Both known more for their perimeter game? Check and check.

Both seen as poor defenders? Check and check. Poor passers? Check and check.

Both high draft choices? Check and check.

Both disappointing in their first two years in the league? Check and check.

Both broke out midway through their third year? Check and…it sure seems that way.

With Yi Jianlian now back 11 games, it looks like he’s following the arc followed by Bargnani, his seven-foot counterpart in Toronto.

An analysis of their third years shows it, although Bargnani’s moment came after a string of poor performances and Yi’s after a long layoff due to knee and mouth injuries.

Take a look.

In his rookie and sophomore years, Bargnani had two disappointing seasons…not dreadful, but considering he was the overall #1 pick, not what Toronto had expected. In his rookie year, he averaged 11.6 ppg and 3.9 rpg, shooting only 42.7% overall 37.3% from deep. In his second year, he regressed, dropping to 10.2 and a measly 3.1 rpg. His shooting dropped as well, to 38.3% and 34.5%. The word most used to describe him was no longer “promising” but “bust”.

Same with Yi. He was drafted lower, at #6, but had the “bust” label hung on him as well. In fact, Milwaukee gave up on Yi and traded him to the Nets. With a bigger cultural burden, Yi didn’t do as well as Bargnani. He averaged 8.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg in his rookie year, dropping off as the season went on and he wore down. He shot 42.1% overall and 28.6% from deep. By year two, his scoring average didn’t budge, His overall shooting percentage dropped down to 38.2%, although his three point shooting jumped in both percentage–up to 34.3%, and in volume–going from six three’s all season in Milwaukee to 48 in New Jersey. For Yi, the problem may have been exacerbated by where he was playing…in the New York media market, not the chilly but comfortable confines of southern Ontario.

Then, at almost the very same point in their third season, during the holiday season, a light seemed to go on. Before that, the two were being written off.

In the 31 games prior to New Year’s Eve 2008, Bargnani was averaging even less than he had his first two seasons: 9.5 ppg. His rebounding was up to 7.0 a game, but his deep shooting had surely regressed. He was hitting less than a third of his attempts and boos were getting louder as the Raptors disappointing season looked lost.

Then, on New Year’s Eve, he seemed to have an epiphany. He exploded for 26 points, on 9-for-19 shooting including 3-for-6 from downtown. Jermaine O’Neal was hurting and Bargnani made the most of his opportunity. Over the remainder of the season, he took off, averaging 19.3 ppg and 5.5 rpg, even shooting 43.5% from deep, ten percentage points higher than before December 31. Over the next month, he had nine more 20+ point games, including a 31-and-10 night vs. the Bulls.

In January, he averaged 19.8, in February 17.9, in March 20.3 and in an injury-slowed April, 16.3.

Yi’s situation this year is different. He didn’t suffer a particularly poor start. Opening Night, he went for 17 and 12. By Game 4, however, he went down, with a sprained knee. As he missed the next seven weeks, Yi said he spent a lot of time watching games and promising himself he would “leave it all on the floor” when he returned.

So far so good. On his first game back, vs. the Timberwolves, he wound up with 22 points, then 17, 29, and 22 again, the last one a win over the Knicks where Brook Lopez hit for 21. In December, Yi averaged an electrifying 22.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg and shooting 54.1% overall, 40% from deep and 80% from the line. He showed off deep shooting stroke, left-handed hooks, flashing moves in the paint and a willingness to drive the lane. Things have slumped off a bit in the shooting department in January…16.0 ppg, 37.3% overall and 33.3% from deep. But he’s going to the line more…at much higher rates than Bargnani, who remains on the perimeter. In the last 10 days, he’s gone to the line 10 times twice, making seven and eight shots. In that same 10-day period, he’s gotten 10 or more rebounds three times, something he’s never done before…and something Bargnani has never done. The Nets, of course, are still losing and he’s still playing mostly matador defense, although he has shown some shot blocking ability.

Bottom line, it could mean a lot to the Nets’ bottom line. The Raptors quickly signed Bargnani is a big contract last summer, something the Nets could so with Yi next summer. The payout is delayed until their fifth year, but still the numbers for Bargnani are pretty staggering: five seasons and $50 million. How much will Yi want…and how much will he get? He is more injury-prone than Bargnani, so that hurts him. But the Nets make a lot more money off Yi’s connection to China than the Raptors do off Bargnani’s connection to China. Of course, that assumes Yi continues to develop at the same pace Bargnani has. The big Italian has followed through on last year’s development. Now, 24 years old, he’s averaging 17.2, 6.5 and 1.4 blocks so far this season and he keeps getting better. Over the last five, he’s putting up 20, 10 and 2.

The Nets of course don’t have to do a deal with Yi next summer. They could wait til 2011, and might if they want to see what he can do…and see what the new collective bargaining agreement looks like. But no matter when, if Yi is still a Net, expect his agent, Dan Fegan, to make those same comparisons with Bargnani we just did.

Chris Dougey-Roberts on twitter

Well today, I had a meeting with our head coach. Ummmm…the media is trying to make me look like a jerk. Let me tell y’all why…

Earlier in the year,every loss would make me really upset.I was walking around w/a stress headache daily.Fa real.I was taking my anger out..

On people that didn’t deserve it & I was burning bridges w/people b/c of what was going on in my career.I realized about month ago that…

Being that way wasn’t healthy for me or the people I cared about.So now, I’m more relaxed in interviews & not as “a matter of fact”.So nowww

That we’re continuously losing & playing horrible,the media is looking for a negative story. They’ve been coming to me asking over & over…

Again “why have your SHOTS gone down? Why are your stats going down?” Wanting me to say some negative stuff to make our situation worse….

So since I’m NOT giving them anything, now they’re saying I’m “insinuating” & they’re writing things that they “think” I meant to say.Hahaaa

All my interviews are honest & straight to the point. Not once have I complained about shots or anything else. I am upset though.

But I’m upset about the way we’re playing & the fact that we’re losing. Me saying “I’m playing within the system” means exactly that!!

So for all you Nets “fans” who make a judgement based upon what you read need to stop doing that. It’s stupid to do.

However, I’m not the “yes man” who’s going to be happy w/just getting an NBA check.I play for respect & W’s. The money is extra.

I’m going to speak my mind.I’m passionate about this game so I don’t care if I “rub people the wrong way”. I really don’t.

This attitude has gotten me this far & I’m not changing @ all.My G makes me look good.That’s for the Nets “fans” who think I “talk to much”.

The reason I put “fans” in quotes is b/c these are the same people who said I wouldn’t be NOTHING earlier in the year.

They all were saying “trade CD-R”. Then when I was getting 20s, I was the “favorite”. Now it’s “get rid of him” again.Haahahaaahahaaa!

Fickle as hell. Read something, w/o knowing if it’s true or not & then make a judgment. Hahahaa. How dumb is that?

Swear y’all mean so little to me. Never did. NetsDaily note: This tweet was later deleted.

Fickle fans mean so little to me. Swear. Always have.

I don’t want to confuse anybody into thinking they’re aren’t any real Nets fans. They’re are PLENTY & I appreciate y’all. Love y’all.

Chris Quinn wasn’t supposed to make it in the NBA. He wasn’t drafted. He doesn’t fit the mold. But here he is, in his fourth year, making a million dollars doing something he loves. We should all be so miscast.

There are some misconceptions about him that have helped him pull off this surprising feat. He certainly doesn’t look that athletic. But coming out of Notre Dame in 2006, his numbers at the Pre-Draft Camp weren’t bad. His maximum vertical measured out at 32″–the same as new teammate Shawne Williams. He was also slightly quicker in the three quarter court sprint and considerably quicker in the agility drill. Overall, he finished 35th, Williams 57th. At 6′1.5″ (in sneakers0, his 6′5″ wingspan isn’t bad…helps on defense.

So with some luck (and pluck), Quinn got a job with the Heat and lasted four years until he was traded to the Nets. He became a favorite of Pat Riley. “There has never been a better person that has played for the Miami Heat than Chris Quinn,” said Riley the day of the trade. “He is one of the hardest working, most dedicated people that we’ve ever experienced.”

Now 26, Quinn has another chance to fill the third point guard role with a new team. After a preseason injury slowed him, he lost his job as the Heat backup and didn’t play a minute in Miami, inactive for 30 games. If he hadn’t been traded, he might have played a minute all season.

Both Kevin Pelton of Basketball Prospectus and Matt Kamalsky of DraftExpress think the same thing Riley does, pointing out his positives. (John Hollinger didn’t rank Quinn, limiting his rankings to those he believed would play more than 500 minutes this season.)

Kevin Pelton, Basketball Prospectus:

If you were to pick the likelihood of each Heat player to maintain his position on the depth chart, Chris Quinn would have ranked at the lower end of the scale. Yet, Shaq’s whipping boy is back again, expected to be Mario Chalmers’ primary backup at point guard. Quinn is fine in a limited role. He’s a very accurate three-point shooter but not much inside the arc. With his limited athleticism, Quinn is in trouble every time he ventures into the lane. He shot just 37 percent at the rim last season. That his three-point percentage was better than his two-point percentage reminds one of the Ryan Freels of the baseball world, who have better on-base percentage than slugging percentages. Quinn is a terrific ballhandler and can run an offense. Defensively, he gets the most out of what he has to work with and can pick your pocket if you’re not careful. However, he’s just too limited an athlete to defend the Chris Pauls of the world in a regular role.

Matt Kamalsky, DraftExpress

Overview: Steady, but unspectacular back-up point guard who sees minutes due to his ability to play low-mistake basketball. Posseses average size and questionable athleticism for an NBA point guard. Lacks great physical tools, but proves to be a very heady, fundamentally sound player, with a microscopic turnover rate. Plays like a veteran, and has since the middle of his rookie year. Very capable outside shooter who doubles as an efficient distributor. Lacks ideal defensive tools. Developed into quite a player during his time at Notre Dame. Really showed off his point guard skills as a senior. Picture perfect shooting mechanics have always been an asset for him. Didn’t wow anyone with what he brought to the table and ultimately went undrafted. Found himself in a perfect situation in Miami. Saw minutes as a rookie and was a key backup in his second year pro. Fits the third point guard mold perfectly with his smart play.

Offense: A consistent playmaker who is smart with the ball, can hit the three, but lacks the versatility and athleticism to be a high level offensive player, particularly inside the arc. Gets about a quarter of his touches as the ball handler in pick and roll situations and roughly forty-percent of his touches in spot-up situations. Very capable jump shooter with excellent form, nice elevation, and great range. Shoots nearly half of his shots from beyond the arc. Doesn’t force too many contested jumpers, and doesn’t change his form at all when he does. Capable of hitting shots moving in either direction coming off of screens. Great catch and shoot threat who isn’t too bad off the dribble either. Doesn’t create enough separation to do much damage around the basket or with his pull up game. Limited by his size, strength, and leaping ability. Won’t go one-on-one unless he knows he’s not at a disadvantage. Improving his floater. An extremely capable point guard who has improved subtly since entering the League. Had a tendency to hold the ball for too long before giving it up in half court sets, but is considerably more decisive now. Has played with the poise of a much older player since his rookie year. Won’t make the tough pass very often, but will almost always make a smart one. Not a flashy ball handler, or one who will dribble himself into trouble. Plays the point guard spot in a low-risk, low reward manner that makes him a nice fit for teams with firepower at other positions. Catch and shoot ability is a nice bonus, since it compensates for what he lacks as a shot-creator.

Defense: Smart defender who whose lack of lateral quickness and size makes him a liability at times. Gets beaten off the dribble frequently, putting pressure on his teammates to help him. Doesn’t get in a great stance, but will give himself a cushion if he knows he’s at a disadvantage. Not going to tip many passes with his length, but will come up with an occasional loose ball due to his ability to anticipate. Shows more effort when his man catches the ball in the midrange, but lacks the length to effectively contest shots and the recovery speed to prevent his man from getting an open lane by running off of screens. Rebounds the ball at a decent rate for a player his size, but doesn’t do any one thing well enough defensively to compensate for the penetration he concedes.

Quinn, like Williams and others the Nets are trying to bring in, is auditioning for 2010-11. He has proven he can play in the NBA. His best year was the Heat’s worst, in 2007-08, when he averaged 7.8 ppg along with 3.0 assists, shooting 40.3% from deep. He started 25 games that season as the Heat won only 15 games.

Last season, in a more limited role, he was one of the NBA’s worst finishers at 37%. But out on the perimeter, as his NBA Hotzone data show, he could be deadly from the wings and corners, shooting better than 40%. He was not as effective, hitting less than 30%, from straight on. That may be a function of range.

But if Quinn continues his improbable journey, it won’t be his shooting that keeps him employed. It’ll will be his leadership and work ethic.

Shawne Williams took a chance, leaving Memphis after one year. His basketball skills thrilled those who scouted him in high school and his numbers at Pre-Draft Camp were solid if not eye-popping. His maturity…not so much.

He measured 6′8.75″ in sneakers and 227 pounds–about the same as what he weighs now. His wingspan measured 7′3″ and his vertical leap 32″, a combination that should allow him to play bigger than he is–and compensate for his lanky frame. Physically, he didn’t participate in the bench press and finished tied for 57th overall in athleticism with the notably unathletic Adam Morrison.

Besides the similarity in name and age, Shawne Williams like ex-Net Sean was drafted 17th in 2006 by Indiana. And like Sean, he’s had a number of off-court issues. Most prominently, he was arrested in September 2007 on a marijuana charge and for driving without a license. His passenger, a friend from his hometown of Memphis, was busted for carrying a gun that was reported stolen. Then, six months later came the hammer for him in Larry Bird’s eyes: another pal was busted on a fugitive warrant for murder as he left Williams’ home. After being traded to Dallas in 2008, he had run-ins with the Mavs’ coaching staff.

Now, almost 24 years old, how much potential does he have, understanding that his career hangs in the balance? Both Kevin Pelton of Basketball Prospectus and John Hollinger of ESPN have doubts he can make it in the NBA.

Kevin Pelton, Basketball Prospectus:

Acquired from Indiana for Eddie Jones and a pair of future second-round picks, Shawne Williams got a brief look as part of the rotation but was quickly buried. His last action of the season come on Jan. 4. Three years into his career, we’re still not sue what Williams can offer an NBA team. He got his most extensive action in 2007-08 with the with the Pacers, doing some positive things and showing the ability to create shots, but Indiana was willing to give up on the whole package–which includes a history of off-court issues–awfully quickly. If Williams doesn’t demonstrate improvement this season, Europe will figure prominently in his immediate future.

John Hollinger, ESPN:

2008-09 season: Williams hardly played after an offseason trade to Dallas, seeing only 170 minutes and not playing at all after Jan. 4 due to a foot problem. His brief snippets of play weren’t encouraging: He shot 28.6 percent from the floor and 1-of-17 on 3-pointers while contributing only two assists to the cause. Not two assists per game … two assists, period.

Scouting report: A tweener with an instinct for getting up shots on the court and getting in trouble off of it, Williams’ willingness to take 3s hasn’t been matched by accuracy; though he has a smooth stroke, he’s at 30.6 percent for his career. Since he’s a string bean who rarely ventures inside unless he’s finishing on the break, he’s limited in his ability to impact a game. He can make long 2s with a hand in his face but has a very poor free-throw rate and isn’t a good ball handler.

Defensively, it’s more of the same. Williams is an intriguing talent, but at 6-foot-9, 225 pounds, it’s not clear whom he can guard. Small forwards challenge his lateral quickness, and he doesn’t play with the intensity to make up for it, while power forwards shoved him aside underneath.

2009-10 outlook: Williams has an expiring contract, and despite his impressive talent it will be an expiring career if he doesn’t shape up. If his foot is healed and he stays out of trouble, he should get his share of opportunities. That’s because the Mavs aren’t overloaded with quality wing depth, and Williams is one of the few players they can tap to create his own shot. Whether he can make anything out of his chances, however, is very much in question.

It’s hard to figure out whether the Nets are really going to give Williams a legitimate chance or simply keep him on the roster as a trade asset down the road, dumping him after the deadline. You can’t trade a player you’ve waived.

Looking at his best year, 2007-08, there are indications he can play, but his off-court troubles and limited time make it hard to determine just how much he can develop.

As his NBA Hotzones data from that season show, he can hit the deep shot, using a rainbow delivery. He likes the right side of the court and straight on, not having much luck on the wings. Chris Douglas-Roberts, a teammate and classmate at Memphis says of him, “Skill-set wise, he’ll be one of the best bigs on our roster. Excluding nobody” and defends his character, “My ex college teammate is NOT a bad guy/thug…Don’t judge us on the people we grew up or hang with.”

With so little to go on–he hasn’t played a second in more than a year, and little inside information on how the Nets see him, it’s hard to tell what Shawne Williams can bring now, almost halfway through the season. A lot will be known Tuesday when he shows up for his physical. Is he in decent shape…needing only time to get into basketball shape…or has he let himself go and prone to injury as he gets on the court again. And most important of all, does he realize this is is, his last chance.