Recently, I have been examining trade rumors involving the New Jersey Nets, and some of the possibilities that the team is going to have come draft day. From what I have seen, if the Nets do everything that is left on the table for them to do, a great season may be on the horizon. Let me go over some situations that I have partially came up with myself, and mainly found from what the Nets have shown they are interested in.
Trade #1- The Nets seem to be ready to deal RJ, and the Suns seem to be the perfect fit as they are looking for a more talented Small Forward. Therefore the Nets should trade Richard Jefferson for Leandro Barbosa and Boris Diaw. This gives the Nets more depth and some explosiveness in diaw, and gives the suns a great replacement for Grant Hill.
Trade #2- This trade could actually happen in the next 24 hours. The Nets would give up Trenton Hassell and the #10 pick, and would receive the #13 pick and the #33 pick from the blazers, along with Jarret Jack or Steve Blake. The Blazers are the ones pushing this one for some reason, but it seems to me to be a much better situation for the Nets.
This would leave the Nets with picks #13, #21, #33, #40.
My picks, all completely realistic and through other mock drafts seem to be completely possible.
Pick #13- Kosta Koufos
Pick #21- Mario Chalmers
Pick#33- Bill Walker
Pick #40- Joey Dorsey
Now to go over these picks. Kosta Koufos is a great player from what I have seen, a 7 footer who can move his feet, has a jumper, an inside game, and most importantly to me, has proven himself in America. Mario Chalmers is a great guard to have on the team and has an amazing shooting ability. Bill Walker has incredible speed and to me is more built for the NBA than for college, where he scored 16 points a game for Kansas State. And lastly, Joey Dorsey who I think will be a steal in this second round as I believe he will become a Kendrick Perkins-like player.
These moves could leave the Nets with a team consisting of players such as- Devin Harris, Vince Carter, Leandro Barbosa, Boris Diaw, Sean Williams, Josh Boone, Marcus Williams, Kosta Koufos, Mario Chalmers, Bill Walker, and Joey Dorsey. To me, this seems like a MUCH improved team from the one that finished the 07-08 season and a team that could possibly move into the playoffs and be deadly in a season or two.
Hopefully the Nets will see the next 24 hours as clearly as I seem to. I expect great picks from Rod Thorn and hopefully the deal with the Blazers will still be on the table come draft day. I cannot wait to see how things work out in NY.