NBA Free Agents 2012: 9 Players New Jersey Nets Must Target

Despite the New Jersey Nets struggles this season, they have an exciting offseason to look forward to. 

The Nets will soon become the Brooklyn Nets, as they move to their new arena in Brooklyn. This is a significant move for a franchise that has struggled lately. There are some talented players that will become free agents that could help the Nets—some are currently on their team. 

Here is a look at nine free-agent players the Nets should target this offseason.

Deron Williams

Deron Williams has made it clear that he will become a free agent after this season. That makes Williams an obvious free-agent target this offseason.

The Nets are relying on Williams to re-sign with them as they make the transition over to Brooklyn. 

It is truly unknown where Williams will end up next season, but the early favorites are the Nets and Mavericks.

Kris Humphries

Another current Net that will become an unrestricted free agent is Kris Humphries. Humphries has been the most consistent player on the Nets this season and has proven to be one of the best power forwards in the league.

Last year, Humphries averaged 10 points and 10.4 rebounds a game. He has raised those averages this season to 13.6 points and 11 rebounds. The Nets can't afford to lose that kind of production.

Michael Beasley

Every team could use consistent scoring, the Nets especially. Michael Beasley could help the Nets score points, which is something they have struggled to do this season.

in the 2010-11 season, Beasley averaged 19.2 PPG. He is still only 23 years old and could hit his prime with the Nets.

Jamal Crawford

Jamal Crawford has the ability to score in bunches. The Nets could always use another guy to put points on the scoreboard for them.

In 12 seasons, Crawford has averaged 15.2 PPG, including seven seasons in which he has averaged at least 17 PPG.

Ryan Anderson

This offseason, the Nets should look at their former player, Ryan Anderson. Anderson was sent to the Magic in the trade that also sent Vince Carter there.

Anderson is one of the best three-point shooters in basketball. The Nets are a team that likes to shoot from behind the arc. 

This season, Anderson has averaged 16.1 PPG and shot 41.3 percent from three-point land.

Spencer Hawes

The Nets need some big bodies to improve their defense in the paint and rebounding. Spencer Hawes could be a nice addition. The issue would be getting him for the right price. The Nets have plenty of cap space but shouldn't waste it.

Hawes could give the Nets around 10 points and seven rebounds every night. Add those numbers to his defensive ability, and that would be solid production off the bench.

Jason Terry

Jason Terry is 34 years old and is still producing. He could choose to join forces again with Avery Johnson, and the Nets should welcome him in. Terry could help score night in and night out. He could also bring a winning mentality and leadership for younger players.

Terry has averaged 16.1 PPG in his career and 15 PPG this season.

Ersan Ilyasova

The Nets got a front row seat to Ersan Ilysova's potential this season. Early in the year, he scored 29 points and grabbed 25 rebounds against them. Ilysova will most likely draw a lot of interest from teams which will cause his price to go up.

This season, Ilyasova has averaged 12.8 points and 8.7 rebounds a game.

Jared Jeffries

Jared Jeffries is one of the unsung hero this season for the New York Knicks. He does the dirty work for them by grabbing rebounds and playing solid defense down low. The Nets could always use a scrappy big man to help give them depth.

Jeffries is not going to stand out with his statistics, but he is a very valuable player.