Luis Scola is 6'9", 245 pounds and playing the best ball of his career. Over his last 10 games, the 30-year-old Rocket forward has averaged 22.5 points and 11.0 rebounds, including a 44-point outburst against the Nets. That game, writes Sean Deveney of the Sporting News, could help him in the off-season. "The Nets will have ample cap room and have started the likes of Yi Jianlian and Josh Boone at power forward," Deveney writes, suggesting Scola "could put himself out of Houston’s price range".
Carlos Boozer is 6'9", 266, and putting up big numbers for the surprising Jazz. He's missed only three games this season and has an outside shot at his third 20-10 season, averaging 19.4 points and 11.1 rebounds. Last summer, reports Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, the 28-year-old Boozer "was telling confidants that he was headed either to Detroit or New Jersey." The Pistons, writes Ellis, "say they have options on the table, but let's just say Boozer has a long walk to that table."
David Lee is 6'9", 250 pounds and on his way to his first 20-10 season...for a team who isn't sure they want to keep him. He's averaging 20.1 points, 11.7 rebounds--and 3.6 assists--for the Knicks. As Ian Thomsen of Sports Illustrated writes, "Lee is so good that the Knicks no longer can afford to re-sign him". There's been lots of speculation, which Lee hasn't deterred, that the 26-year-old could wind up as a Net in the off-season. Thomsen writes, "Some team -- likely one that can pair him alongside a longer shot-blocker -- will target Lee as a versatile big man who can pass and move without the ball." Sound familiar?
How much interest do the Nets have in the three players, all free agents? After watching Scola put up 44 and Chris Bosh put up 36, you can think a lot. While it's hard to tell who would be their No. 1 choice, one thing is certain: The Nets have to find another big man somehow, someway, this summer.
- Court Lessons: Luis Scola is making a big pre-free-agency push - Sean Deveney - Sporting News
- Getting Carlos Boozer won't be easy for Pistons - Vince Ellis - Detroit Free Press
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All-Star forward David Lee has priced himself out of New York - Ian Thomsen - Sports Illustrated