NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Deals the Nets Need to Make After Melo Fell Through
Now that all the crazy 17 player trade talks are over and every player on the Nets can stop putting up and taking down the "For Sale" signs in front of their homes, it appears the Nets have finally quit on Carmelo Anthony.
Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov officially pulled the plug on the deal, mainly because there is no guarantee Anthony would sign an extension with the Nets after this season. Anthony has made it clear that he wants to be a New York Knick, and his odds of being a Knick this season just got a lot better.
So with all this cap space, and these two first-round draft picks, who could the Nets make a run at instead of Melo?
10. Zach Randolph, C, Memphis Grizzlies
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Zach Randolph is making $17.6 million this season, but at least he's earning it. Randolph is scoring 20 points per game and is third in the league in rebounding (13 per game). Playing next to Marc Gasol might make things a little bit easier.
He would be good down low with Brook Lopez, and do some of the dirty work under the boards.
He has an expiring contract this year, which makes this entirely possible. Randolph is 29-years-old and is heading into his 10th year in the league next year and would not get the huge deal he is coming off of if the Nets are smart.
But he is putting up some great numbers this season, and the Nets have a ton of money laying around. He doesn't make them any younger, but he brings 20 PPG to a team that is second to last in the league in scoring.
Nets would have to get rid of rookie lottery pick Derrick Favors and possibly a combination of draft picks and cash.
9. Andrei Kirilenko, SF-F, Utah Jazz
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The native Russian could be targeted by the Nets' Russian billionaire owner, and it wouldn't be a horrible pick up, although I don't think he does much for the team. He is averaging 11.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.
But "AK 47" has proven to be pretty injury prone over his career, which could be a risk. His ability to provide mismatches is his strength. He's big for a three and too agile for most fours.
But he will play tough defense and has long arms. He plays bigger than he is, but he isn't strong enough to be physical on the block.
Nets would get rid of Troy Murphy (per his request), cash and/or picks.
8. Jamal Crawford, G, Atlanta Hawks
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In this case, the Nets would get a guy who can score consistently and has a contract expiring at the end of the year. Troy Murphy has said he wants out of Jersey, so get some value for that contract and get yourself some points if your the Nets. but the Nets will have to throw something else in there, say cash or a pick.
Crawford is scoring 16 PPG this season.
7. O.J. Mayo, G, Memphis Grizzlies
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Memphis has not been very subtle about the fact that they don't really have any future plans for O.J. Mayo. He still has some value though as a good shooter and a guy who is capable of scoring in the right situation, and that would be a new situation.
That is something that New Jersey could provide, but they would have to pay. Maybe not as much as one would think, simply because Memphis doesn't seem to value him anymore. But the Grizzlies know the card they're holding, and what he is worth.
I would look for the Nets to wait until the final days before the trade deadline to possibly make this move, if they try and make it.
They would give up Anthony Morrow, Troy Murphy's expiring contract, and a first rounder in exchange for Mayo and maybe a second-round pick.
6. Shannon Brown, G, Los Angeles Lakers
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Shannon Brown is an explosive dunker who has worked on his outside game recently and it has shown this season in LA. Brown plays limited minutes due to the fact that he is behind one of the best guards of all time in Kobe Bryant.
His contract is small ($4.6 million over two years), but the Lakers love this guy and Phil Jackson loves veterans. I don't think they would be very willing to part ways with him. Brown averages 10 PPG in about 18 minutes per game and will only improve.
I think the Nets should go after him. Maybe Kris Humphries and cash and a second-round draft pick (2012).
5. Monta Ellis, G, Golden State Warriors
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The Nets don't score enough. Monta Ellis leads the league in scoring with 25.9 PPG. It is fair to say he conserves energy on defense. I don't know if the Nets would be willing to do this because he is set to make an absurd amount of money ($11 million per year) and his contract goes through 2014.
But he could team up with Devon Harris to be a pretty solid back court duo. The Warriors would have to realize that they need some defense first, and be willing to give up Ellis for some youth in the draft and maybe some expiring contracts. But unless they are just going to try and score 170 per night to win, the Warriors might look to acquire some defense soon.
I think both first-rounders or possibly Favors and a first-rounder could go. But I think Ellis makes too much and has too much time remaining on his contract to really happen. Too much of a liability on defense as well.
4. David West, F, New Orleans Hornets
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The league now owns the Hornets, and David West is a big man with an expiring contract. he is playing some of the best ball he's ever played in his contract year as well. Good timing.
West is scoring 19 PPG and grabbing 7.3 boards. He is making around $8.3 million this year and would be the perfect compliment to Brook Lopez in the Nets' front court.
Troy Murphy contract, first-round pick and possibly Derrick Favors. Chris Paul has said they need to do everything they can to keep West, but who knows how committed he is to the Hornets. We hear him in trade rumors every week it seems.
3. Jeff Green, F, Oklahoma City Thunder
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Jeff Green is a beast who is just 24-years-old, but lucky for the Nets, he is on a team bursting at the seems with young talent and they cannot pay them all. But Oklahoma City is a smart franchise, and they don't waste money. They have made every right move a team can make when it comes to their roster.
But the Thunder have yet to extend his contract. Green will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, and the Nets have money to give. Green has said he wants to stay in OKC, but may question what they're dragging their heels on.
I think the Nets should go after him now, and make the Thunder an offer they couldn't refuse. They could offer up Derrick Favors possibly or a first-round draft pick along with Troy Murphy's contract and cash.
2. Andre Iguodala, G-F, Philadelphia 76ers
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New Jersey is currently holding two first-round draft choices. Philly would kill for those because they are going to try and dump Andre Iguodala for the right price. The 76ers are looking to get younger, and they don't care how they do it.
But they realized they cannot build a team around Iguodala. He plays solid defense and can be counted on to score as a second or third option.
Nets would have to ditch expiring contract of Troy Murphy and the two first-rounders I would think.
1. Danny Granger, SF, Indiana Pacers
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Danny Granger would be a pretty solid fit for the Nets. He can score in bunches and brings it every night. His numbers are slightly down this year at 21 PPG and 5.3 RPG, but that isn't a huge problem.
Granger is set to make $12 million next year, and is one threes in the NBA. The Nets would have to give up last Derrick Favors for Granger though.
Favors and a draft pick with some cash would do the trick. This rumor started swirling today. He is an alternative to Carmelo Anthony on the wing.
