NBA Free Agents 2012: Brooklyn Nets Free-Agent Odds

When you think of the new-look Brooklyn Nets, Deron Williams, one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason, is usually headlining that thought.

Although Williams is certainly the biggest priority for the Nets moving forward in their move to Brooklyn, the team still has a lot of decisions to make when putting together their team for next season.

D-Will isn’t the only Net with an expiring contract (not by a long shot), so Nets management will have to break down any and all options.

Here are the odds of return for every Brooklyn Nets player with an expiring contract this offseason.

Sundiata Gaines

Last season's stats: 5.1 points, 2.2 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game.

Although Sundiata Gaines’ shooting percentages of 37.6 percent from the field, 34.1 percent from three-point land and 61.5 percent from the free-throw line leave a lot to be desired, the point guard made an impact in a different way.

Despite his lackluster shooting stats, Gaines only turned the ball over 0.9 times per game a season ago. Not only did Gaines record more assists than turnovers, but he also recorded more steals (55) than turnovers (52), which is an impressive statistic.

Born in Queens, Gaines likely has a sense of loyalty in terms of staying with the Nets for their move to Brooklyn.

Gaines is an efficient point guard off the bench, which is really all you can ask for in a backup. He needs to improve his shooting numbers, but there are worse options out there.

Odds of return: 40 percent.

Gerald Green

Last season's stats: 12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

After signing a contract with the Nets after performing well in the D-League, Gerald Green did not disappoint.

Green consistently knocked down threes, scored double-digit points and busted out what was arguably the greatest dunk of the season (even the Houston Rockets bench had to stifle their excitement).

Always a highlight reel, Green seemed to put all of his talent together at times this season and was certainly a feel good story.

If the Nets make an effort to retain him this offseason, Green will probably show loyalty to the team that gave him a chance to compete in the NBA again.

Odds of return: 85 percent.

Shelden Williams

Last season's stats: 4.6 points, six rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game.

After a highly successful collegiate career playing basketball at Duke University, Shelden Williams has struggled to find his niche in the NBA in six seasons.

His inability to find a steady role is reflected by the fact that Williams has played for seven different NBA teams (Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks and the Nets) in six seasons.

With that said, Williams had some bright moments a season ago for the Nets. The injury problems for Brook Lopez opened up a spot in the Nets' rotation for the NBA journeyman, who showed he can be a solid player given the minutes.

Williams recorded 12 or more rebounds five times, and although he wasn’t much of a difference maker on the offensive end, his steady defense often made up for that.

Kris Humphries will probably be the Nets number one priority for filling the power forward position next season, but Williams would prove to be a solid role player moving forward. Maybe he can find a team that keeps him for more than one season in the move to Brooklyn.

Odds of return: 60 percent.

Damion James

Last season's stats: 4.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.

After suffering a broken right foot during his rookie year, Damion James was bit by the injury bug yet again in his sophomore year.

James only played in seven games last season before undergoing surgery to replace the screw that had been inserted in his broken foot the season before.

After back-to-back injury riddled seasons to start his NBA career, it will be interesting to see how James’ career unfolds from this point.

If the Nets don’t feel as if James can stay healthy and remain on the court for them, they may look for his replacement.

The emergence of MarShon Brooks will likely hinder James’ chances at a return.

Odds of return: 30 percent.

Jordan Farmar

Last season's stats: 10.4 points, 3.3 assists and 1.6 rebounds per game.

According to the New York Post, Jordan Farmar appears poised to pick up his player option to remain with the Nets next season on a $4.25 million contract, so there's a good chance that viewing him as a free agent this offseason is a moot point.

However, if Farmar chooses not to pick up his player option, he'll become a restricted free agent. If that becomes the case, the Nets will have to opportunity to match any offer extended to Farmar in free agency.

I don't expect Farmar to forgo his player option because he's a Deron Williams signing away from becoming the Nets starting point guard next season.

Nevertheless, if Farmar does choose to enter free agency by not picking up his player option, there's still a great chance he'll be back for the move to Brooklyn.

Odds of return (if he does not exercise player option): 90 percent. 

DeShawn Stevenson

Last season's stats: 2.9 points, two rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.

DeShawn Stevenson, who has developed a close bond with Nets' superstar point guard Deron Williams because of their mutual Dallas connection, has two distinct variables regarding where he plays next season.

On one hand, Stevenson is good friends with Williams. If the Nets want to retain Williams this offseason (and trust me, they do), they may have to bring back Stevenson just based on the idea of team chemistry and keeping D-Will happy.

On the other hand, Stevenson struggled mightily for the Nets a season ago. After being a key role player on a championship team in Dallas, Stevenson's numbers dropped nearly across the board.

His 28.5 percent field goal shooting, 28.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 56.3 percent from the charity stripe were all abysmal.

The Nets already have MarShon Brooks and Anthony Morrow on the roster for next season, and they'll likely be trying to lock up Gerald Green and Gerald Wallace with multi-year deals. I can certainly see Stevenson being the odd man out in that equation, but his connection with D-Will may prove to be a huge X-factor moving forward.

Odds of return: 50 percent.

Kris Humphries

Last season's stats: 13.8 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

For the most part, Kris Humphries is a walking double-double. He’s one of the better rebounding power forwards in the NBA today, and the Nets will likely want to retain him moving forward.

However, the Nets have a lot of other options to address this offseason. With as many expiring contracts as the Nets have, it’s difficult to keep them all straight. Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace and Brook Lopez join the list of Nets’ starters with expiring contracts.

If the Nets have a priority list of who they want to retain for next year, I think that the trio of Williams/Wallace/Lopez is likely higher on the list than Humphries.

There are plenty of teams in the NBA looking for frontcourt depth, and a steady rebounder like Humphries will probably be atop a lot of wish lists.

I can’t imagine the Nets letting him get away after having his best statistical season in New Jersey, but Humphries will have other suitors.

Odds of return: 75 percent.

Brook Lopez

Last season's stats: 19.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game.

Brook Lopez played just five games for the Nets last season due to foot and ankle troubles that kept him off the court.

In those five games, the seven-foot center averaged just 3.6 rebounds per game. How is that possible? How does a seven-footer not stumble upon more than that pitiful amount of rebounds? I simply don’t understand it.

Anyway, Lopez seems to have every interest to remain with the Nets next season. The former Stanford star was reportedly disappointed that the Nets did not make an attempt to re-sign him during the season.

Obviously, the Nets didn’t make an attempt to do so because of his injury troubles and the fact that they were dangling Lopez in trade talks all season in an attempt to add Dwight Howard.

Nevertheless, outside of an aging Kevin Garnett, there aren’t a lot of free agent big men to target this offseason. That goes for the Nets and the rest of the NBA. Teams looking to add size will likely target Lopez.

The Golden State Warriors are reportedly already interested. Despite this, I expect Nets management to be aggressive when trying to retain Lopez.

Odds of return: 85 percent.

Gerald Wallace

Last season's stats: 13.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.

In what many still view as one of the season’s most head-scratching trades, the Nets added Gerald Wallace from the Portland Trail Blazers for Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams and a top three protected first-round pick. In translation, if the Blazers end up choosing fourth or later in the upcoming NBA draft, they’ll get to keep the pick.

It’s tough to figure why the Nets gave up a surefire top 10 pick for Wallace, especially when you take into consideration that the veteran small forward already chose to opt out and test free agency.

With that said, the Nets organization cannot afford to lose Wallace this offseason. Nets general manager Billy King has expressed a strong interest in re-signing Wallace long-term, and after giving up potentially the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft to add him, that move makes a lot of sense.

Wallace is a veteran presence as well as a defensively-minded player. If nothing else, he’d likely prove to be a good mentor for youngster MarShon Brooks.

Odds of return: 90 percent.

Deron Williams

Last season's stats: 21 points, 8.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game.

The Nets' biggest priority as well as the biggest question mark is Deron Williams. Whether or not he decides to remain with the Nets for the move to Brooklyn will likely decide this team’s fate as a playoff team next season.

Williams has said that the biggest factor weighing his decision this offseason is winning. While the Nets certainly struggled with a plethora of injuries last season, winning really wasn’t their forte.

It has long been rumored that D-Will may choose to join forces with Mark Cuban and Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas with the Mavericks this offseason.

The Mavs inexplicably let the eventual Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler leave for the New York Knicks and watched J.J. Barea sign a big contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves last offseason.

Despite those two moves (or lack of moves), the Mavs had a method to their madness. They intended to target either Williams or Dwight Howard this offseason. Seeing as Howard chose to opt in for another year in Orlando, Williams will be the Mavs’ main target.

Having an MVP-caliber running mate in Nowitzki is probably more appealing in Williams’ mind than playing alongside Gerald Wallace and Brook Lopez next season.

Only time will tell what Williams’ decision will be, and the Nets are certainly in the running as far as being a likely suitor.

However, if D-Will’s major motivating factor for next season is winning, and he doesn’t feel like he can win with the supporting cast in Brooklyn, I would not be shocked to see him go elsewhere.

Odds of return: 45 percent.