2010 Free Agency

Van Gundy Seems To Vote Trade

In discussions with reporters before the Magic's game against the Pacers, Stan Van Gundy seems to siding with those in the Orlando organization who want to trade Dwight Howard rather than keep him.

For D12, Signs You Can't Ignore

It's Only Their Opinion, But ESPN Writers Think D12 to NJ Eventually

in an ESPN roundtable, three of the network's top writers said they believe that Dwight Howard will wind up with the Nets.

James To Start...While Nets Wait

Shawne Williams was in camp Friday and the Nets continue their recruiting of Andrei Kirilenko, but on Saturday afternoon, the starting small forward for the New Jersey Nets will be 23-year-old second year player, Damion James and he's not giving it up easily.

Trade Talks For Dwight Howard "Have Gathered Momentum," Woj Reports

Adrian Wojnarowski reports late Tuesday that trade talks between the Nets, the Orlando Magic and possibly two other teams "have gathered momentum over the past several days, and the framework of a possible four-team deal" that would bring Dwight Howard to New Jersey "has taken shape."

Magic Consider Tampering Charges Against Nets

A report out of Orlando quotes sources who say that Dwight Howard "may soon fire his agent and request a trade from the team." Meanwhile, David Aldridge reports that the Magic are "contemplating filing tampering charges against two unnamed NBA teams for illegal contact with its franchise center."

Bondy: Don't Amnesty Outlaw Yet

Stefan Bondy agrees that Travis Outlaw's contract is "ugly" at $28 million over four, but he writes that the Nets should think hard before they use the CBA's amnesty provision on the 6'9" forward.

Masha Talks About Sasha

Kris and Kim can have their reality show, "Keeping up with the Kardashians", but soon enough, Sasha and Masha could be stars of another better watched reality show, "Breakfast at Wimbledon." After winning the Italian Open and making it to the semi-finals of the French, Maria Sharapova (aka Masha) is ready for The Big One.

Personal Connection, Not Hoops, Led to Hump's Change of Agents

Here's a story about Kris Humphries that has nothing to do with Kim Kardashian or reality TV. Darren Heitner of Sports Agent Blog writes that the Nets PF's decision to change agents had more to do with a personal connection than anything on-court.

A Look Back at Nets' Wooing of LeBron and "The Decision"

Fred Kerber writes Sunday about how the Nets loved and lost LeBron James. On the day LeBron brings the Heat to Newark, the Post writer recounts how Mikhail Prokhorov, Jay-Z and the Nets basketball operations tried to lure James into a multi-year deal...and how they learned he wasn't coming.

Mozgov's Moment of Truth

When Mikhail Prokhorov was asked this weekend about signing Rusian players, as the Knicks did with Timofey Mozgov, he seemed very non-plussed by his rival's move into his terrority. "I am very glad the Knicks found the player they like, the second russian player in the NBA," he said matter-of-factly. Was he concerned?

Did Prokhorov Nix Knicks' Mozgov?

Remember all those stories last summer about how the Knicks hid Timofey Mozgov from the Nets, working him out in secret, to make sure Mikhail Prokhorov didn't snatch the Russian center away? Apparently, there was no need.

What To Expect from the New Nets

Ben Couch recently got in touch with his counterparts at the former homes of five new Nets to get their read on what to expect from Troy Murphy, Jordan Farmar, Travis Outlaw, Johan Petro and Anthony Morrow.

Nets Sign Joe Smith

Veteran forward Joe Smith is expected to take a physical and sign a contract with the Nets on Friday.

Nets Get "B" for Off-Season...But Will It Translate Into Playoff Run?

NBA.com is ranking the off-season for all 30 of the league's teams and in spite of their inability to sign a major free agent, the author, John Schuhmann, puts the Nets' effort near the top of the pack with a B. Only two teams got an A and five others a B+.

Woj: New York Lure Overrated for 'Melo

Adrian Wojnarowski suggests that Carmelo Anthony is not all that pumped up about the Knicks, in spite of the recent hype. Quoting sources close to the Nugget star, he writes, Houston holds more lure than New York.

ESPN: Nets No Better than 25th

In the first installment of its "Summer Buzz", ESPN Insider predicts the Nets will wind up the season as the NBA's 25th best team, just ahead of the Wizards, Pacers, Raptors, Pistons and the lowly Timberwolves.

RealGM: Chemistry, Not Carmelo, Will Put Nets On "Thunder Road"

If the Nets are going to follow Thunder Road (an appropriate Springsteen reference) and model themselves after Oklahoma City, they should focus not on acquiring Carmelo Anthony but developing chemistry.

Finding a Home for A.I.

We know these are the dog days of August when there is little NBA news, but suggesting that the Nets take a chance on Allen Iverson? Fran Blinebury of NBA.com does. Maybe he should call Billy King and ask his opinion.

Nets Holding On To Hayes' Rights, but Why?

As Dave D'Alessandro reported, the Nets have renounced their rights to all their free agents but Jarvis Hayes, which raises the question, why? They may want to use him in a sign and trade for a low-cost power forward.

Mannix: Nets Off-Season a "C-"

Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated is the latest to try his hand at guaging how the Nets did in the off-season. He, like most, sees it as a big disappointment and gives the Nets a C-, better than the Raptors and only slightly worse than the Knicks in the Atlantic Division.

Nets Sign Sean May

Sean May is due in New Jersey Monday to sign his one year, non-guaranteed contract with the Nets. May, 26, will make the veterans minimum of $992,000 this season should he make the team.

When a Star Becomes Available...Cap Space is Crucial

Why hold on to cap space when there are good players out there who could help you? It's all about being ready to move quickly should the opportunity to acquire a big star suddenly arise. The big reason is that every year, at the trade deadline and again on Draft Day, unhappy stars, even superstars, become available. We look at the history.

Sean May Signs Non-Guaranteed Deal with Nets

Adrian Wojnarowski, who has broken most of new on Nets moves this off-season, is now reporting that Sean May has agreed to a one-year--and apparently vets minimum contract with New Jersey. May, a 6'9" PF, averaged only 3.3. ppg and 1.9 rpg last season for the Kings.

Hawks Eyeing Boone...for Vet's Minimum

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the Hawks have Josh Boone --along with Francisco Elson and Brian Skinner-- "on their radar" now that Shaquille O'Neal has signed with the Celtics. The Journal-Constitution indicates that Boone would have to accept the veteran's minimum.

Russian Invasion Fizzles

Remember the speculation that Mikhail Prokhorov's ownership would lead to a wave of Russian players on the Nets? Didn't happen. In fact the only Russian to sign in the NBA did so with Knicks. Now, with Russia's best player deciding to stay home, it's unlikely there'll be any Russians on the team, but in the front office...

Zoubek Has the Incentives, Now Needs the Adjustments

Brian Zoubek, a national champion but undrafted, has a lot of incentives to make the Nets, including becoming the 14th New Jersey native to make the team. He talks about the adjustments he'll have to make.

Whitewash! "Blueprint for Greatness" Goes Down

The Nets only leased the side of the building at 34th and 8th for a month and over the last couple of days, workmen have all but covered the iconic images of Mikhail Prokhorov and Jay-Z with whitewash.

Prokhorov: "No One Has a Right to Judge LeBron"

In a letter to the editor of USA Today, Mikhail Prokhorov defends LeBron James' decision to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and create a super team in Miami. "I respect their choice, and no one has the right to judge them. I want to say that I support LeBron, the best athlete in the NBA. He had a truly difficult choice to make."

Is Jay-Z Upset with LeBron? Mikhail?

Picking up on internet rumors that Jay-Z's friendship with LeBron James is in tatters, the Daily News suggests that indeed the rap mogul is upset with "the King", but not because he didn't sign with the Nets.

Nets' Cap Space Hoard Second Biggest in NBA

How much leverage does Billy King have in making unbalanced trades? A lot. In breaking down who still has cap space, HoopsWorld reports the Nets still have the second biggest hoard as free agency winds down.

ESPN: Morrow a "Steal", Outlaw an "Overpay" in 2010 Free Agency

Maybe in the end, they will even out. ESPN has chosen one player at each position to be a "steal" and another to be an "overpay". Of the ten players, two are Nets: Anthony Morrow is the "steal" at shooting guard while Travis Outlaw is the "overpay" at small forward.