Lowe: Nothing Much Has Changed

Zach Lowe didn't like the Nets trade for Gerald Wallace, but he thinks nothing much changed Wednesday when Wallace decided not to opt in (technically, that's the right language) on the final year of his contract. Nets are still in uncertain waters but not without a compass.

Wallace’s decision doesn’t necessarily change much about the Nets’ current cap situation — or mean that he won’t be on the team next season. The Nets are still right where they were two days ago — stuck between hugely different scenarios, with the cap and roster flexibility to embrace any of them immediately after one or two key dominos fall.

Lowe's sober assessment is based on the Nets ability to sign players using Bird Rights and cap space, maybe even the MLE. He notes as well that even "a top-six of Deron Williams, Kris Humphries, Brook Lopez, Gerald Wallace, Marshon Brooks and Anthony Morrow" may not win the conference but would be more than representative.

Meanwhile, John Hollinger, in keeping with the ESPN analysis of the trade, believes it and the strong possibility --in his mind-- that Williams will depart could send the Nets on a long and deep spiral of mediocrity.

• Nets’ future still filled with options after Wallace’s choice to test free agency - Zach Lowe - Sports Illustrated
• If not D-Will/D-Ho, then D-Will/Dirk? - Tom Carpenter - ESPN Insider
• Nets maintain financial flexibility with Wallace opt-out - Tim Bontemps - New York Post