NBA Rumors: Nets' Future Rides on Landing Stephen Jackson from Bucks

Unless the Nets want to start over from scratch next year, they have to trade for disgruntled Buck Stephen Jackson. This would be their ticket to re-signing Deron Williams and landing prized center Dwight Howard. 

This potentially powerful threesome of players are all interested in teaming up, and it all starts with Jackson. 

Luckily for the Nets, Jackson is unhappy in Milwaukee. He is playing just 27.4 minutes per game and he is playing less as the season goes on. 

Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News dishes on Jackson's unhappiness and Williams' and Howard's desire to team up with him. 

"

[Jackson:] "No disrespect to the guys (on the Bucks), but I’m at the stage of my career where I want to be in a different situation."

Howard is reportedly keen on playing with Jackson, and the center’s decision as a free agent come summer might be swayed by the location of the small forward.

[Williams:] “We needed somebody with toughness, being able to guard multiple positions. It didn’t work out (in Utah),” Williams said. “I like his game. He’s very versatile. He’s the type of guy that’s 6-8, and he’s guarding the point guard. He has a lot of toughness. I know a lot of people that knows him. I’m good friends with Baron Davis, who says (Jackson) was a great teammate. So he was just one of the guys I always wanted to play with.”

"

Why the Nets Must Pull off This Deal

New Jersey is in a very tenuous position. Williams is a free agent at the end of the year and if they don't do something they will very likely watch him walk away for nothing. 

To keep this from happening they need to demonstrate they are capable of bringing in talent. To accomplish this, they have been trying to trade for Howard. 

However, they can take a big step towards that by acquiring Jackson.

Jackson has very little value to the Bucks right now. He has two years on his contract and is being paid nearly $10 million this year. This is not a situation where they will be flooded with offers. 

The Nets might be able to pry him away with just an expiring contract, like say Mehmet Okur. 

This would leave them with all the key pieces to try and land Howard and D-12's desire to go to New Jersey will only increase if they get Jackson.