January is named for Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. So rather than look backwards, which is like watching an accident in the rear-view mirror, we decided to take a look ahead, starting with Wednesday. That's the day that NBA teams can sign players to 10-day contracts. With two players out for a while and Jordan Farmar getting a second MRI on his knee, the Nets might start thinking about that.
Here's how the next six months shape up, at least what we can predict.
January 5 - 10-day contracts may now be signed. Nets haven't signed anyone to a 10-day contract in a few years, but it is "all new" and with three of the team's 14 players hurting to one degree or another, that could change.
January 10 - All contracts become fully guaranteed. This is Ben Uzoh's decision day. If he is still with the team, his deal becomes fully guaranteed.
January 19 - Nets vs. Jazz. The Nets are planning "Russian Night" for the game vs. the Jazz...and Mikhail Prokhorov's pal, Andrei Kirilenko. Nets aren't saying when Prokhorov will be in town again, but this looks like a good bet: the start of a week-long, five-game homestand. The Nets are 3-1 with him in the building. Expect the future Mrs. Sasha Vujacic, Maria Sharapova, to get an invite. "She'd be welcome," said one Nets' insider. Expect halftime and post-game events. Dancing Bears?
February 9 - Nets vs. Hornets. The Nets host an "Evening of Chinese Culture." The Nets started the program when Yi Jianlian was with the team and will continue it even though he was unceremoniously dumped on the Wizards. In the past, groups will perform at halftime and after the game.
February 18-20 - All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. Amidst the annual hoopla (Get it, Hoop-LA?), 30 GM's will be having face-to-face discussions. With the deadline days away, All-Star Weekend is often where trades get hatched or finalized.
February 24 - Trade Deadline is 3 p.m. Eastern Time (that's 1 p.m. Mountain). Last chance to dump big contracts before the collective bargaining agreement.
March 4-5 - NBA Games London, the first regular season NBA games in Europe. The Nets will play two "home" games vs. the Raptors at the 02 Arena in London. Nets will have three days rest before the first game and another three days after the second. Might Prokhorov make an appearance here too? Duh. Christophe Charlier, the Nets chairman and Prokhorov's #3, said last week Russians will be there "in force".
March 11 - First anniversary of Barclays Center ground breaking. Expect progress reports.
April 6-9 - Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in Virginia. College seniors who are the cusp of the draft play against each other, the official opening of draft season.
May 17 - NBA Draft Lottery, NBA TV Studios, Secaucus, NJ. The lottery and the draft will both be in New Jersey this year. Do the Nets have a "home court advantage"?
June 23 - NBA Draft, Prudential Center, Newark. With Madison Square Garden undergoing needed renovations, the Draft moves across the Hudson to Newark.