Moves the New Jersey Nets Can Make That Don't Involve Dwight Howard

The New Jersey Nets have put themselves in a "Dwight Howard or bust" holding pattern, and rightfully so. 

While they did have the money to offer and outbid for good players like Nene Hilario, Tyson Chandler and Caron Butler, they declined to overpay.

Each of these players would have definitely made the Nets better and maybe even a sixth seed for the playoffs if paired with a healthy Brook Lopez, but the cost would have been too great. 

A starting five of Deron Williams, MarShon Brooks, Caron Butler, Nene/Lopez, Lopez/Chandler was not going to bring a championship to New Jersey or Brooklyn.  

It is better to be a lottery team than a perennial playoff team with no realistic shot at winning it all.

While the perennial playoff team would have all the salary cap used up to pay for mediocrity, a lottery-bound team would at least have a chance to land a great player—possibly a superstar—cheaply through the draft.

The Nets should not stop their pursuit of Howard until he officially signs an extension with the team he is traded to. This puts all future moves on hold until possibly the next free-agency signing period.

Waiting is worth the risk.

With Mehmet Okur's, Kris Humphries' and DeShawn Stevenson's contracts expiring after the season and Deron Williams opting out of his, the Nets will have the money to sign Howard and Williams as free agents in addition to a possible lottery pick in what will be a loaded draft.

This, of course, would be best case scenario.

If Howard gets traded and/or signs somewhere else, Deron Williams may be a goner. Assuming he stays, a nucleus of Williams, MarShon Brooks, Brook Lopez, Anthony Morrow, a lottery pick and ample salary cap room to sign the missing pieces could be a decent starting point.

If Howard is no longer a possibility, here are five other moves the Nets can make. 

Trade for Josh Smith

Yahoo! Sports reported back in June that the Atlanta Hawks were gauging trade interest in Josh Smith. While the source said that Smith has not requested a trade, he has privately told friends of his preferred destinations if he were to be moved.

One of his destinations was the New Jersey Nets.

If a trade were to happen, the Nets could offer a package that would include salary cap relief in Mehmet Okur's or Kris Humphries' expiring contracts, plus serviceable players in backup point guard Jordan Farmar or Anthony Morrow.

A package can also include the lottery-protected first-round pick acquired from the Houston Rockets.

Teaming the super athletic Smith with semi-athletic Brook Lopez would make for a great compliment in the frontcourt. Smith would help Lopez out with the rebounding, while giving Deron Williams someone to run with and to lob the ball to.

Smith would be a major offensive upgrade from Humphries and would bring more shot-blocking ability.

If the Nets are able to acquire Smith while keeping Humphries, J-Smoove can be moved to small forward, a position where New Jersey is the weakest.

Sign Michael Beasley

From being somewhat of a bust during his time in Miami, Michael Beasley has proven that he can be a reliable scorer and rebounder at the small forward position in Minnesota.

Last season for the Timberwolves, Beasley averaged 23.2 ppg. in October, 22.9 ppg. in November and finished up overall with 19.2 ppg..

He will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season and may be the odd man out since the 'Wolves are stacked at small forward after drafting Derrick Williams with the No. 2 overall pick.

They also have Wesley Johnson and Martell Webster.

In addition to the surplus at small forward, Minny also has to have the money to re-sign priority number one, Kevin Love.

If the Nets put up a decent offer, the 'Wolves may not have the funds or need to match.

If Beasley has grown up enough to deal with the distractions of playing in New York, he could be a steal for the Nets and give them their first quality small forward since Richard Jefferson.

Since Beasley is only 23-years-old, he could be part of a young starting five that would include 22-year-old MarShon Brooks and 23-year-old Brook Lopez, leaving the Nets with a strong nucleus that would have many years to grow with each other.

Sign Gerald Wallace

Gerald Wallace has a player option on his contract next season. If he opts out, the Brooklyn Nets should give him a look.

Wallace can come in and solve the small forward problem right away. He is a good defender who can score, rebound and get out on the break to be the oop to Deron Williams' ally.

The only problem is his age.

At 29, Wallace's athleticism and quickness may be on the decline soon, so offering big money with more than two years might not be too wise.

If the Nets are unable to trade for Josh Smith or sign Michael Beasley, they may have to overpay for Wallace to appease D. Williams and Brooklyn.

That is, if they fail to draft a small forward who can come in and contribute right away.  

Re-Unite the Brothers Lopez

Robin Lopez will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, and the Phoenix Suns will have the money to match any offer if they choose to.

Marcin Gortat is the starting center, while Robin is the backup averaging 18 minutes per game. If the Nets overpay a little, it may scare the Suns away.

Robin Lopez is a very capable defender. At Stanford, he handled the defensive responsibilities while his brother, Brook, handled the offensive responsibilities. The brothers worked well enough together to lead the Cardinal to a Sweet 16. 

Pairing the two Lopez's would make for a very tall, twin-tower frontline—a frontline capable of scoring and defending.

Make Kevin Love a Godfather Offer

This may prove to be fruitless but may be worth the try.

This is where Michail Prokhorov's billions might be put to good use.

If the Nets are able to heavily frontload an offer to Kevin Love, the Minnesota Timberwolves may be unable to match.

Since he is a restricted free agent, the 'Wolves can offer him the most money long term. And, they do seem to have a bright future with the arrival of Ricky Rubio, so it remains to be seen if Love would even entertain an offer to play in Brooklyn.

But, stranger things have happened in the NBA.

Pairing Love with Brook Lopez can make for a dominant offensive front court. This scenario would have Love grabbing the rebounds, scoring on put-backs and occasionally hitting the open three while Lopez handles the mid-range and post-up game.

They will both have to improve their defense, however.