NBA Trade Rumors: Nets' Dwight Howard Backup Plan Would Solidify Squad

The New Jersey Nets are in the process reshaping their team in a flurry of movement, and it is becoming apparent that it is all part of well-laid plan. 

All the pieces appear to be coming together. First was the reported trade bringing them the Hawks' Joe Johnson. Next was star point guard and free agent Deron Williams tweeting he was re-signing, and with some other moves sprinkled in between, now there are serious rumors that the Nets are still making a run at Dwight Howard. 

But these wheeling and dealing Nets aren't going to just throw all their eggs in the Howard basket. The New York Post's Peter Vecsey tweeted out this contingency plan to a blockbuster: 

"

@Jwrbloom To play or to package. Humphries won't be be back. Will try to do sign-&-trade for Ersan if Howard is unobtainable. Need 3d team

— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) July 3, 2012"

Ersan would be Milwaukee Bucks power forward Ersan Ilyasova. He is 25 and last year averaged 13 points and 8.8 rebounds per game—a solid piece for the interior. 

The Nets are going to need to bolster their interior as Vecsey points out Kris Humphries won't be returning. 

But the Nets aren't completely reliant on Ilyasova to fortify their frontcourt. They acquired hard-nosed Reggie Evans from the Clippers. 

Wait, we're not done yet. The Nets also signed the top scorer from the Euro League last season, Mirza Teletovic. And he also plays power forward. 

The Nets have a clear plan this offseason—lots of them, actually. Maybe they'll land Howard, and if they don't maybe they'll land Ilyasova, and if they don't land him, they'll just keep moving on down the list.