Brooklyn Nets: Latest Trade Rumors, Free Agent News, Draft Buzz

The 2012 NBA season has come to a close and the drama has begun for the Nets. They've made their move from New Jersey to Brooklyn, have a handful of key players entering free agency and have as much riding on the NBA Draft Lottery as anyone else.

Let the fun begin.

From big names to big events, the 2012 offseason will not be an easy one to handle. For insight as to what to expect, however, the following slides will break each pending event down step by step.

Jerry Stackhouse Headed to Brooklyn

Per a report via Chad Ford of ESPN.com, the Brooklyn Nets have chosen a surprising name to provide them with some necessary depth.

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Just going up on ESPN: Sources: The Nets reached a verbal commitment with Jerry Stackhouse on a 1-year deal worth$1.3M

— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) July 11, 2012"

This is a surprising signing for the Brooklyn Nets, as Stackhouse is 37 years old and averaged just 9.1 minutes per game in 2012. Nevertheless, he comes to a roster with just ten players under contract. Signing anyone who can fill the roster should be of priority at this point.

Deron Williams Re-Signs

The moment we've all been waiting for has officially arrived: Deron Williams has re-signed with the Brooklyn Nets. According to CBS Sports' official Twitter page, the deal will span five years and bring D-Will $98 million.

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Deron Williams signs a five-year, $98 million deal on an iPad. cbsprt.co/Ngrgou @KBergCBS reports opt-out available for fifth year.

— Eye on Basketball (@EyeOnBasketball) July 11, 2012"

As that last bit states, this deal includes an opt-out clause. This is important, as Williams joined Dwight Howard as players who opted to face free agency rather than re-sign by default.

Brooklyn Trades for Reggie Evans

In a move intended to bolster the Nets' frontcourt, Brooklyn has acquired power forward Reggie Evans from the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers will receive the rights to swap second round draft choices in 2016.

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The Brooklyn Nets have acquired F Reggie Evans from @Clippers. LAC has the right to swap 2nd Rd picks in 2016. nba.com/nets/news/Evan…

— Brooklyn Nets (@brooklynnets) July 12, 2012"

This could be a key move for the Nets, as they remain weak and uncertain at the 4. As long as Evans can stay healthy, he could see time in the starting lineup should Kris Humphries elude the Nets' grasp.

Joe Johnson Acquired by Nets

In a move that could potentially re-shape the Eastern Conference for years to come, the Brooklyn Nets have completed a trade to acquire Joe Johnson.

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League announces #Hawks-#Nets Joe Johnson trade is official. Deal also includes 2nd-round pick for ATL in '17.

— Michael Cunningham (@ajchawks) July 11, 2012"

Johnson, a six-time All-Star, could potentially line up alongside Deron Williams. This would offer the Nets a backcourt of nine combined All-Star appearances and instantly rival the Los Angeles Lakers for the best perimeter duo in the NBA.

UPDATED: Deron Williams Refutes D-12 or Bust Rumor

According to Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York, Deron Williams has refuted the report of a "Dwight Howard or bust" ultimatum. Williams responded with an emphatic tweet:

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I would love to know who Adrian Wojnarowski source is bc he knows more about what I'm thinking then I do😏 maybe they can help me decide?

— Deron Williams (@DeronWilliams) May 30, 2012"

Breathe easy, Nets fans.

Breaking News: Dwight Howard or Bust

As you will see in the following slides, Deron Williams has the Nets high on his list and the Dwight Howard trade talks have begun again. As we have just learned, however, the first of those factors will not be enough to sway Williams into staying.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, winning the draft lottery will not be enough.

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Williams doesn't want to stay with the Nets unless they become an instant Eastern Conference contender and wouldn't accept waiting for Davis' development. The Nets have a 7.5 percent chance of winning the lottery, and sources said the organization would be willing to part with Davis for the chance to pair Howard and Williams for the franchise's move into a new Brooklyn arena next season... It's Dwight Howard or bust.

"

Rather than discuss the Nets' chances of performing such a deal, as they currently stand at the same point as they did before the trade deadline, let's imagine this for a second. Not only would the Brooklyn Nets have a Top-5 point guard, but they'd also have the game's best center. And then they'd add the most dynamic draft choice since LeBron James.

How about that?

Even if they settle for pick No. 2 or No. 3, that's adding Thomas Robinson or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to the list. And you have MarShon Brooks.

You want to talk dynasty? Talk Brooklyn Nets. If it works.

Deron Williams Prefers Nets, Considering Lakers, Down on Dallas

According to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, Deron Williams has expressed a keen interest in returning to the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are not alone, however, as Williams is also reportedly interested in playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.

As for the Dallas Mavericks, there could be a slight hitch in the signing process.

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Dallas, which sacrificed its best chance to defend the title by preserving salary-cap space last summer in anticipation of this free-agent class, the source said of the Mavericks: "There's no longevity there." If owner Mark Cuban can clear enough space to sign a worthy sidekick for Williams, though, then maybe Williams would join his hometown team after all.

"

Not so promising for Dallas. Quite inspiring for Brooklyn.

Dwight Howard Trade Talks Back On?

For those anxiously awaiting the arrival of a Deron Williams-Dwight Howard connection, rejoice. Trade talks could be back on before you know it.

According to Tim Bontemps of the New York Post, the Brooklyn Nets' trade talks with the Orlando Magic will re-ensue soon enough. This comes on the heels of Chris Sheridan's report which claimed the Magic were ready to actively shop Dwight Howard for the right deal.

It appears the D-12 drama is far from over.

Gerald Green Would Take Pay Cut to Return

After a breakthrough 2012 regular season, Gerald Green is poised for a solid payday during free agency. According to Green himself, however, he's not too worried about pay if it means he can play in Brooklyn.

In response to a question about where he expects to be in 2013, Green was emphatic in stating:

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"Here, definitely with the Nets,” Green said when asked for his preference. “I have a strong feeling I’m going to be with the Nets. I don’t feel like I’m going to be anywhere else. I know I’m not getting any feedback now from anybody. I can’t. Can’t talk to anybody. So I have a strong feeling about here. They want me here I want to be here. It’s not like I have to weigh my options. I really don’t have any options."

"

As for whether or not he'd take a pay cut, the answer was:

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“Most definitely I would,” Green said without pause. “I’m about loyalty and this team was the first team to pick me up for the year. They gave me an opportunity. They gave me a shot. Look what they’re doing. Our record doesn’t speak for itself. We’re a lot better team than our record says."

"

Time to get excited, Brooklyn. Green is one of the best young players in the NBA.

Josh Owens Is on the Nets' Draft Radar

According to Marcus Thompson II of the Contra Costa Times, power forward Josh Owens of Stanford turned some heads at the Nets' local workout. Just don't take a look at his season averages if you want an idea as to what he's capable of at the NBA level.

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"My college résumé, individually, wasn't necessarily spectacular," Owens said. "But at the end of the day, college is college and the NBA is the NBA. I'm just going in there with a hardworking mindset and hoping to impress people."

"

Owens could be the Nets' potential second-round selection should they fail to land a first-round draft choice.

Nets' Chances at Retaining Their First-Round Draft Choice

According to NBA.com, the Brooklyn Nets have a 7.50 percent chance at landing the first overall draft choice. They also have a 8.33 percent chance of landing the second pick and 9.36 percent chance of landing the third slot.

That gives the Nets a 25.19 percent chance of retaining their first-round draft choice. That's slightly better than the Charlotte Bobcats' chances to win the first overall draft pick at 25.00 percent.

Cross your fingers, grab your rabbit's foot and pray for the best.

Nets Host a Free Agent Minicamp

With just four players remaining on the Nets roster, it's clear that Brooklyn is looking for help in any and every way possible. The latest move they've made is to host a free agent minicamp.

The list of players who worked out includes Adam Morrison, Al Thornton, Hilton Armstrong and Julian Wright—all of whom were selected in the first round of a previous draft. Morrison happened to be the third overall draft choice in the 2006 NBA draft, while the other three were all lottery picks.

Billy King Wants to Sign Gerald Wallace to Multi-Year Deal

According to general manager Billy King, the Brooklyn Nets fully intend to sign Gerald Wallace to a multi-year deal. It's hard to imagine the Nets taking any other route after trading their lottery pick to acquire the veteran wingman.

What's important to watch is what the Nets do about Gerald Green. Finding a balance between Wallace, Green and MarShon Brooks could be a difficult process that the Nets choose to avoid.

Kris Humphries Wants to Re-Sign

One of the most underreported stories of the Brooklyn Nets' offseason is the fact that breakout forward Kris Humphries is poised to become a free agent. Fortunately for those in favor of his return, Humphries is interested in returning to the Nets as they make their move to Brooklyn.

As for how the Nets will respond to his interests, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reports that general manager Billy King is interested in bringing Humphries along for the ride to Brooklyn.

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“They're guys that I want back. There are guys that I let know that probably wouldn’t be back. Gerald Wallace and Deron Wallace are obviously key pieces we want back in the fold. Brook Lopez. They're our major free agents,” [Billy King] said. “Then you add Humphries in there as our starting top 4. Those four I think are core pieces that you look to build with going forward. But it all comes down to negotiations.”

"

Sounds promising for Kris Humphries' desires.

Brook Lopez Is Likely to Remain with the Nets

According to Andy Vasquez of the North Jersey Record, Brook Lopez has "made it very clear that he wants to stay with the Nets." As alluded to in the previous slides, general manager Billy King shares the sentiment.

The question is, how long would Lopez remain under contract? If the Dwight Howard trade talks continue, Lopez will inevitably be involved in any potential deal. Should he remain under contract, however, it will be pivotal for the big man to find a greater sense of durability.

Irina Pavlova Will Represent Nets at Draft Lottery

According to the Nets PR Department, Irina Pavlova will represent Brooklyn at the 2012 NBA Draft Lottery. Pavlova is owner Mikhail Prokhorov's New York representative.

Here's hoping that she will offer the Nets a good luck charm as they anxiously await their franchise-altering fate.