Nets Trade Rumors

Courtney Lee Update
Comment
November 7
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Just in case you don't pick up a late edition of the newspaper, here was Courtney's take on his left groin strain: "It's not bad at all. Rest as much as possible. Go from day-to-day," the winger said. "It wasn't a tear. They said it was a micro-tear below my groin. So it's day-to-day. It's minor through.""
Nets' Harris out at least a week with sore groin
Comment
November 1
New York Daily News
 
"The Nets got neither a trick nor a treat Saturday night. But they did get the bejeevees scared out of them when they experienced the first of what may be many games without Devin Harris. With Harris sitting out because of a strained right groin, the Nets lost to the Wizards, 123-104, to fall to 0-3. They lost their first two games with Harris in the lineup, but at least those were competitive. This one wasn't, and the Wizards (1-1) didn't even have two of their best players, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, who are injured. They did have Gilbert Arenas, who scored 32 points before sitting out the fourth quarter. The Nets also managed to make Andray Blatche look like an All-Star. He set ..."
Devin Harris likely to sit out tonight at Washington
Comment
October 31
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Well, this came out of nowhere. Devin Harris is a likely scratch tonight against the Wiz, and it's the same issue: The strained groin tightened up on him after Friday night's game. As of now, he's not comfortable going from east to west, so they'll probably have to put him on ice for at least a few days."
Nets: Before Brooklyn, maybe Newark
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October 24
New York Daily News
 
"In a statement handed out at Friday night's preseason game at St. John's, Nets CEO Brett Yormark said the Nets could abandon their outdated East Rutherford arena for the two-year-old Prudential Center in Newark while they wait for the Barclays Center to be built in Brooklyn. Yormark said that once the Brooklyn deal is finalized, "we may consider an agreement to play our home games at the Prudential Center through the time we move to our new home...in the 2011-2012 NBA season." The Nets have played at Meadowlands Arena since 1981 and have suffered from poor attendance for years. Last season, they officially averaged 15,495 fans per home game, although that number could have been ..."
Injury to Devin Harris clouds New Jersey Nets' picture at guard
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October 14
New York Daily News
 
"Last season, the Nets' backcourt couldn't be stopped. This season, it can't quite get started. Devin Harris strained his right groin during Tuesday night's 91-88 loss to the Celtics at the Prudential Center in Newark and did not play in the second half, finishing with nine points in 15 minutes. The Celtics held out their big three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen but still came back from a 14-point deficit in the second half. Harris, who missed Sunday's preseason game at Boston because of a sprained ankle, was playing for the first time alongside his new backcourt mate, Courtney Lee, who had missed the first two preseason games with ankle and foot injuries. "It's not really ..."
Ankle-injury bug bites
Comment
October 7
New York Post
 
"The Nets saw their starting backcourt, point guard Devin Harris and shooting guard Courtney Lee, suffer ankle injuries at yesterday's practice. And while Harris finished up the workout on his mildly tweaked left ankle, Lee was taken to the hospital for X-rays on his more worrisome right. After being examined at Hackensack University Medical Center, Lee was diagnosed with a sprained right ankle. X-rays were negative, and he was undergoing treatment. He'll be re-evaluated this morning. "You're always concerned. I have no clue [how serious it is]. We'll find out. Keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best," coach Lawrence Frank had said beforehand, after seeing both starters have run-ins ..."
'Sore' foot keeps Lee off court
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October 3
New York Post
 
"Nets guard Courtney Lee grows on you, according to coach Lawrence Frank. There just won't be any new growth for about three days, including during the preseason opener tomorrow against the Knicks in Albany. Lee is out with an inflamed tendon in his left foot. "It's been bothering me for the last couple of months, so we decided right now would be the best time to go get it taken care of," said Lee, the odds-on starting two guard who arrived from Orlando in the trade for Vince Carter. "Being that it's preseason, it's the best time to do it." So Lee, who received a cortisone shot, will ice and rest his "pretty sore" foot as the Nets figure now is better than later. Lee brought up the nasty ..."
Russian to bid $700M for Nets
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September 23
New York Post
 
"Reuters reports Russia's richest man, Mikhail Prokhorov, confirmed a takeover bid for the New Jersey Nets on his blog Tuesday. The report says "Prokhorov's proposals, sent to existing Nets shareholders [over] the weekend, would see his Onexim group provide a loan to build a substantial part of a new arena, according to a post on his website." "Sources close to the billionaire have previously estimated the overall value of any deal at $700 million," according to Reuters. NBA officials declined comment, but the Nets said last week they have received interest from potential investors in the team."
Prokhorov confirms interest in Nets
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September 22
ESPN.com
 
"Russia's richest man, Mikhail Prokhorov, has made a takeover bid for the New Jersey Nets, the tycoon confirmed on his blog on Tuesday. Prokhorov, a former nickel mining baron, boasts that if his move is successful, it would be the first time a National Basketball Association club would come under foreign control. Prokhorov's proposals, sent to existing Nets shareholders over the weekend, would see his Onexim group provide a loan to build a substantial part of a new arena, according to a post on his Web site. Onexim would also receive a controlling stake of the NBA team for a "symbolic" price, the post said. Sources close to the billionaire have previously estimated the overall value of any ..."
Breakdown of the Nets picks for Marcus
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September 22
New York Post
 
"The "future draft considerations" Nets received when they dealt Marcus Williams to the Warriors 14 months ago have changed considerably. The Warriors are discussing some sort of trade (not with the Nets) that would involve their 2010 first round draft pick and as it stood, there was a chance they might not have their 2011 pick which might have landed with the Nets from the Williams trade. And you can't deal first rounders in consecutive years. So the Warriors and Nets huddled and came up with a new solution. The Nets would receive Golden state's first rounder in either 2012, '13 or 14."
Warriors delay sending first-rounder to Nets
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September 21
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Although the Golden State Warriors sent two second-round picks to the New Jersey Nets in order to delay giving up a first-rounder to New Jersey, that doesn't mean Stephen Jackson is leaving the Bay Area anytime soon. The Warriors were able to push back the delivery of a previously traded, lottery-protected first-round pick one year to 2012, NBA sources told Yahoo! Sports. The pick had been sent to the Nets in July 2008 in exchange for guard Marcus Williams, who signed with the Memphis Grizzlies as a free agent this offseason. For agreeing to delay receiving the first-rounder from Golden State, the Nets will acquire two future second-round picks from the Warriors. The first-round pick ..."
Nets could open season without Yi
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September 18
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Yi Jianlian could be wearing a different uniform when his New Jersey Nets play their season-opening game, Yahoo! Sports has learned. Yi has committed to playing basketball for his native Guandong in the National Games of the People's Republic of China from Oct. 16-28. The Nets, however, have three preseason games and also their Oct. 28 season opener at Minnesota scheduled during China's National Games. Travel, practices and recovery time could cause Yi to miss even more time with the Nets. For now, the Nets are backing Yi's decision to participate and are working to determine an acceptable timetable for his absence. Yi's agent, Dan Fegan, could not be reached for comment."
Ratner Said to Be Closer to Selling Majority Stake in Nets
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September 18
New York Times
 
"The developer Bruce C. Ratner, who received final state approval Thursday to build an $800 million arena in Brooklyn for the Nets, is inching closer to selling a majority stake in the team to a Russian billionaire, according to two executives briefed on the negotiations. Ratner, who bought the team for $300 million in 2004 with plans to move it to a new home in Brooklyn, has acknowledged in recent weeks that he is talking to potential investors. The arena, which would be known as Barclays Center, is the centerpiece of a planned 22-acre residential and commercial development project."
Dwyane Wade sees Nets as serious contenders for free-agent talent
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August 14
New York Daily News
 
"Once the free agent market opens next summer, there may not be a team in the league that is better prepared to make a major splash than the Nets. And one of the players who will likely be on everyone's list knows it. Dwyane Wade, who could be one of the major free agents next summer, said the Nets should be considered serious contenders when it comes to which teams are most likely to land the biggest catches. "I think guys know that they will be in the mix because they're setting themselves up to be there. And also, it's not a bad (area to play) at all. So there's going to be some chatter about the Nets when they come around," Wade said Thursday. "I know right now the main chatter is ..."
Report: Brian Hill coming to Pistons as assistant coach
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July 25
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Star-Ledger in New Jersey reports that Nets assistant coach Brian Hill is leaving the bench led by Lawrence Frank to become the lead assistant for John Kuester and the Pistons. The newspaper said Hill informed the Nets Thursday that he was leaving. "The toughest part is leaving Lawrence and Rod, who have been so good to me over the years, and I love the guys - we have a great group of kids to work with," Hill said from Wyoming, where he's back on family vake. "So it's a tough decision, but for my own future -- and to help John (Kuester), who I know and respect - I've accepted the position. John's putting together a good staff, and hopefully we have a good enough group to be a playoff ..."
Nets' 'Baby' Talk A Lot of Babble
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July 22
New York Post
 
"Glen "Big Baby" Davis? Yup, the Nets have inquired. Same with Lamar Odom and Marvin Williams and Drew Gooden and just about every other frontcourt free agent. But, of course, asking about and acquiring are in two vastly different arenas. Several Nets sources confirmed the team's interest in Davis, but all agreed the chances of landing the Celtics restricted free agent are unlikely. Boston wants to keep him, and the Celts have said they'll match any reasonable offer. And around the Nets these days, don't plan on any unreasonable financial proposals. Plus, before the Nets did anything, they would want to clear a roster spot. They have 15 contracts. "We're trying to stay abreast of all ..."
Nets express interest in Davis
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July 21
Yahoo! Sports
 
"The New Jersey Nets are among the teams who have expressed interest in Boston Celtics restricted free-agent forward Glen Davis, a league source said Monday. The Nets still have their $5.8 million mid-level exception to spend as they search through their options from a pool of free-agent power forwards that also includes Lamar Odom and Drew Gooden. The Nets also are interested in Carlos Boozer, whom the Utah Jazz are trying to trade. The Celtics have said they would match any reasonable offer for Davis. The Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers, league sources said, tried to work a sign-and-trade deal for Davis only to be rebuffed by the Celtics."
Nets' Hill Can Talk With Pistons
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July 16
New York Post
 
"The man who gave Lawrence Frank his NBA coaching start, Nets assistant Brian Hill, can talk with the Pistons about joining coach John Kuester's staff. "Brian is a very good coach, and he's done a good job for us," said Nets team president Rod Thorn, who acknowledged he granted the Pistons permission yesterday to speak with Hill about the lead assistant's job under Kuester. Hill, 61, twice was the head coach of the Magic, leading them to the Finals in 1995. He also was the head coach in Vancouver, where he hired Frank on his staff in 1997. This is his second tour as a Nets assistant under Frank. The Nets assistants all agreed to pay cuts this summer so that additional jobs would remain. ..."
Despite Efforts, Nets Will Do 'Nothing for Now'
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July 8
New York Post
 
"Jason Kidd should re-up in Dallas. Hedo Turkoglu officially will sign in Toronto, not Portland. Today is the first day for signing free agents, and what will the Nets do? "Nothing for now," said team president Rod Thorn. "We don't have anything going. Don't be looking to us to be doing anything (today)." The Nets have 15 contracts after their draft-night 2-for-3 trade involving Vince Carter and Courtney Lee. They are actively talking, searching, trying to get a 2-for-1 deal, but that doesn't prohibit them from the free agency marketplace. "Not necessarily," Thorn said. "You can have more at this time but . . ." That's not quite the plan. The Nets want to wait out the first waves of ..."
Many possibilities for potential Boozer trade
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July 5
Salt Lake Tribune
 
"Should they explore a Carlos Boozer trade in the wake of the two-time All-Star forward's decision Tuesday to opt against free agency in favor of playing out the final year of his contract, the Jazz can expect to have several options. A Boozer trade is expected in some circles if the Jazz re-sign restricted free agent Paul Millsap, to avoid a lame-duck season in which Boozer would be expected to leave afterward while Millsap possibly would have to continue to come off the bench. To make it happen, though, the Jazz would have to find a team interested in adding a power forward in Boozer or a team trying to save on a long-term salary commitment and/or clear salary-cap space for the ..."
Nets' plans all for naught?
Comment
July 2
Bergen Record
 
"As Nets president Rod Thorn explained on a conference call with season-ticket holders the reasons Vince Carter was traded, he talked about what the team could do next year. "We're going to be far enough under the salary cap if we so choose to [we can] sign two max-out type players," Thorn said. As of this writing, the Nets should be roughly $27 million under the cap next summer when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer could be free agents. But does anyone really believe the Nets will sign two maximum contracts next summer? This is no knock on Thorn, one of the NBA's best and shrewdest executives. He's going to do everything he can to make the Nets ..."
Nets will wait for next year's free-agent class
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July 1
Bergen Record
 
"The free agent negotiation period began at midnight with Nets' executives Rod Thorn and Kiki Vandeweghe on their phones, but not ringing any doorbells. Next summer, with about $27 million to spend, the Nets will be in position to show up at the home of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh. This time around, Net officials will abuse their cellphone minutes' plan, maybe dine with a player here or there, and mostly bide their time before signing someone. "I think we're going to sit back and see what happens," said Thorn, the Nets' president. "I think at the end of the day it's a more prudent way to do it. We're not in the ballgame for those guys who think they're going to get a ton of ..."
Ruling could delay Nets move to Brooklyn
Comment
June 30
Bergen Record
 
"New York State's highest court has agreed to review whether the use of eminent domain is permitted at the proposed Atlantic Yards housing and Nets basketball arena in Brooklyn - further jeopardizing the Nets' already-tenuous hopes of moving out of the Meadowlands by 2011. The New York Court of Appeals informed all parties Friday of the decision, which keeps alive project opponents' hopes to derail the multiphase, $4.9 billion project. Nine tenants and property owners in the project footprint, including lead appellant Daniel Goldstein, have until July 31 to file paperwork with the court, explaining what substantial state Constitutional issue is involved to support an appeal. Responses by ..."
Nets take Louisville's Williams
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June 26
Bergen Record
 
"Terrence Williams' sprained ankle and rumored guarantee didn't scare off the Nets. They used the No. 11 pick in Thursday's NBA Draft on the versatile Louisville swingman, who perhaps more than anything brings a defensive mind-set to a team that believes defense is optional. "I can come in right away and help on the defensive end and be an off guard who can help bring the ball up the court with [Devin] Harris, get rebounds, and I love to pass," Williams said after his only workout with the Nets. The Nets wanted to bring in Williams for a second workout Tuesday, but he canceled after suffering an alleged ankle injury in Charlotte the day before. Speculation was that the Bobcats had given ..."
Nets trade Vince Carter to Orlando
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June 26
Bergen Record
 
"Vince Carter won't get a chance to lead the Nets back to the playoffs, but they hope his departure will help them land a superstar next summer. The Nets traded Carter, their best and most popular player, and young forward Ryan Anderson to the Orlando Magic for guards Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston and veteran big man Tony Battie on Thursday. The Nets also received trade exceptions worth $3.7 million and $1.2 million that they have one year to use. Getting rid of Carter could mean a third straight season without postseason basketball. But cutting his salary - $33.6 million guaranteed for the next two seasons - opens up about $17.5 million next summer when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris ..."
NBA DRAFT: Nets should get one on their list
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June 26
Bergen Record
 
"Nets president Rod Thorn wants a talented, versatile player and seems to think someone possessing both characteristics will unexpectedly be available to him tonight. The Nets are confident at least two players on their short list will be there when they pick 11th in the NBA Draft. It's possible a third player, as well as someone who seemed improbable a few days ago, could be available, too. "I think it's more likely that our pick will be decided by who goes ahead of us," Thorn said Wednesday. "We have three or four guys we like. At least two of them are going to be there." Those two likely are Louisville swingman Terrence Williams and North Carolina power forward Tyler Hansbrough. The ..."
Nets Agree to Move Vince Carter to Orlando
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June 25
Trenton Times
 
"Vince Carter is heading home, to central Florida - and he's bringing Ryan Anderson with him. The Nets have agreed in principle to trade their leading scorer and major gate attraction to the Orlando Magic in exchange for three players, which will effectively help them clear more than $18 million off their 2010-11 salary cap. Coming to New Jersey are point guard Rafer Alston, power forward Tony Battie, and rookie shooting guard Courtney Lee. Anderson will be sent to Orlando in a separate deal for Orlando's trade exception. It is now likely that the Nets will lean toward drafting a two-guard to take Carter's place, such as Terrence Williams."
Vince Carter to Magic trade official
Comment
June 25
Boston Globe
 
"An NBA source told The Boston Globe that a trade was just consummated sending Nets forward Vince Carter to Orlando for guard Rafer Alston, forward Tony Battie and guard Courtney Lee."
Sources: Nets, Magic in serious talks for Vince Carter
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June 25
ESPN.com
 
"The New Jersey Nets are in serious talks with the Magic about a deal that will send Vince Carter to Orlando for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee, two league sources told ESPN.com. The talks have reached a point that a deal could be done by the end of the day Thursday, according to sources. The trade would give the Magic even more star power on their quest to win an NBA championship. The addition of Carter to a lineup that already consists of All-Star players Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson would make Orlando the favorite to win the Eastern Conference title next year if the franchise also finds a way to bring back Hedo Turkoglu, who will opt out of his contract this ..."
Rod Thorn not likely to Net a major trade before NBA Draft
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June 25
New York Daily News
 
"One year ago Friday, Rod Thorn pulled off a draft-day surprise trade when he shipped Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee in exchange for a journeyman forward and a 7-footer with untapped potential. But even though the odds are against Thorn duplicating the salary-dump deal that sent Jefferson to the Bucks for Bobby Simmons and Yi Jianlian last June 26, there is always a chance the team president could pull the trigger on a major trade before the Nets pick 11th in tonight's draft. If it does happen, it's likely that Vince Carter would be the one to go this time. Although rumors persist that the Nets rejected San Antonio's effort to acquire Carter before the Spurs traded for Jefferson on ..."
Draft and Trade Buzz
Comment
June 24
Yahoo! Sports
 
"As the Minnesota Timberwolves prepare to make a push for Memphis' pick at No. 2, it's become clear that they won't package the fifth and sixth picks to get there. The Wolves have made it clear to teams that are trying to pry their 18th pick that it isn't available. They want to use that in combination with one of the two higher picks to make a deal with Memphis. … The Utah Jazz are enamored with University of Pittsburgh tough guy Sam Young at No. 20, who is a perfect fit for head coach Jerry Sloan. … Golden State has long been enamored with Brandon Jennings at No. 7, but league sources say the Warriors are considering Wake Forest forward James Johnson there as well. Few teams would have ..."
Louisville's Williams skips workout
Comment
June 24
Bergen Record
 
"Tyler Hansbrough's shirt was soaked and Jonny Flynn's bone dry. Gerald Henderson had a bloody nose and Terrence Williams a possible guarantee from another team. The Nets' last pre-draft workout Tuesday featured three players they're high on and another who loomed large in absentia. Williams canceled his workout with the Nets after suffering an alleged sprained ankle Monday in Charlotte, N.C., and went home. A rumor is the Bobcats guaranteed the versatile Louisville swingman they would take him 12th in Thursday's draft. That probably won't scare off the Nets. This would have been Williams' second time in East Ruthereford. It was Duke shooter Henderson's second workout. Both are on the Nets' ..."
Nets aren't picky with former UNC center Tyler Hansbrough
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June 24
New York Daily News
 
"Tyler Hansbrough has heard the talk since before his college career began. He's not that athletic, skeptics say. His professional ceiling, like his vertical leap, is not that high. Hansbrough has an answer for all the criticism. "Whatever," he says. Some team will say the same Thursday night, when Hansbrough is expected to be taken in the first round of the NBA draft. According to sources within the organization, that team could be the Nets. Hansbrough, the 6-9 forward who won a national championship at North Carolina this past season, was part of the Nets' final private pre-draft workout yesterday and was impressive, according to general manager Kiki Vandeweghe. Whether Vandeweghe and ..."
Nets to reunite Gerald Henderson and Tyler Hansbrough at pre-draft workout
Comment
June 22
Trenton Times
 
"As prominent players at Duke and North Carolina, respectively, Gerald Henderson and Tyler Hansbrough became quite familiar with each other over the past three seasons. But more so than other participants in college basketball's most heated rivalry, Henderson and Hansbrough have an interesting history, one that dates back to a violent collision in 2007. On March 4, 2007, during the closing seconds of North Carolina's victory over Duke in Chapel Hill, NC, Henderson went airborne as Hansbrough attempted a shot underneath the basket. Instead of blocking the ball, Henderson's elbow came crashing down on Hansbrough's face, breaking his nose and spilling blood all over the court. It was yet ..."
Gerald Henderson and Terrence Williams -- The Reprise
Comment
June 22
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"You already know about the final round of workouts Tuesday, when they'll bring in Jonny Flynn, Brandon Jennings and Tyler Hansbrough for a look-see. But the Nets will have a few surprise guests Tuesday, when they bring in Gerald Henderson and Terrence Williams for a second workout. "We want to see how they do against each other, basically," said one eager arbiter. Right. With the No. 11 pick as the inducement to beat each other's brains in. As it so happens, both were in Charlotte Monday morning, and Larry Brown assessed both for Rick: Here's LB's take on how they're different: "The difference I see: Gerald, in my mind, is a (pure) two...and I think he has more room (to grow). He's ..."
Nets trust their draft guru
Comment
June 21
Bergen Record
 
"Gregg Polinsky doesn't like to admit it, but at this time of year the former college coach is a big man on the Nets' campus. This is when Polinsky, the director of player personnel, puts all of his hours spent watching college games and DVDs of specific players and writing detailed reports on anyone that could help the Nets to good use. What team president Rod Thorn and general manager Kiki Vandeweghe do with the No. 11 pick in Thursday's NBA draft could hinge upon the recommendation of someone who has been under the radar most of his Nets' career but has been very valuable. "I'm supposed to make sure I have as much information as possible for us to have a successful draft and present that ..."
Wave of Rumors, No Substance to Carter Trade Talks
Comment
June 21
New York Post
 
"WOULD Nets owner Bruce Ratner love to reduce payroll? Other than a select few, what NBA owner doesn't? League revenues are guaranteed to go down roughly 10 percent next season, meaning a consequent drop in the luxury tax number. At the same time, in-place salaries will continue to escalate incrementally 8-10 ½ percent. Should the luxury tax decline, say, $4-to-5 million, a bunch of teams, whose longterm financial strategy when assembling their rosters was to remain just below the originally projected number, will be on the hook to pay double for every dollar that exceeds it. With that in mind, contrary to a Yahoo! report, the Nets have had no conversation with the Cavaliers since ..."
Chicago Bulls seeking to trade up in NBA draft
Comment
June 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"This hardly is unique for a weak draft, but league sources indicated the Bulls have had conversations with several teams trying to package their Nos. 16 and 26 picks for a single higher selection in the June 25 NBA draft. Several media outlets, including the Tribune, confirmed one of those teams is New Jersey, which owns the 11th pick. It's unclear which player the Bulls might want and believe might not be available at No. 16. Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn, Duke swingman Gerald Henderson, Wake Forest guard Jeff Teague and Wake Forest forward James Johnson are among several players who have intrigued the Bulls. Another byproduct of turning two picks into one would be the elimination of a ..."
Nets May Take Williams At 11
Comment
June 20
New York Post
 
"It seems like a perfect match. The Nets like Terrence Williams. Terrence Williams likes the Nets. By gum, it's so crazy, it just might work on draft night. "I know from close sources that New Jersey has interest in me, and I have a lot of interest in New Jersey with that level pick," Williams, the versatile swingman from Louisville, said after his workout with the Nets yesterday. "With my position, I think I could help right away and learn a lot from Vince Carter." Williams, who patterned his game after Magic Johnson (pass, shoot and rebound), figures to be available when the Nets pick at No. 11 Thursday. But the Nets might not pick 11th. There are talks to trade down for a package of two ..."
Johnson, Clark On Nets' Radar
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June 17
New York Post
 
"If there is one trait the Nets admire in players above all else -- aside from flat out greatness, of course -- it is versatility. They love point guards who can play shooting guard, shooting guards who can play small forward, small forwards who play everywhere. So the Nets had a special interest in yesterday's pre-draft workouts with forwards James Johnson of Wake Forest and Earl Clark of Louisville. Johnson is probably best suited as a small forward (he is just a bit over 6-foot-7). But while he has played power forward and even shooting guard in college, his tweener size may hurt him. "I consider myself as a three. That's what they're looking at me as, a three," said Johnson, who ..."
Nets to workout local products
Comment
June 16
New York Daily News
 
"The Nets are scheduled to work out six prospective draft picks this morning, and half of them won't have to travel far to get to the team's facility in East Rutherford. Among the players auditioning will be Kyle McAlarney of Staten Island, who was the 2005 Daily News player of the year at Moore Catholic before playing at Notre Dame, Earl Clark of Plainfield, N.J., who starred at Louisville, and Geoff McDermott, who played at New Rochelle High before going to Providence. McAlarney is a guard and Clark and McDermott are forwards. The local trio will be joined by F James Johnson of Wake Forest, F Leo Lyons of Missouri and G AJ Abrams of Texas. Clark and Johnson is said to be high on the Nets' ..."
New Jersey Nets' short list for NBA Draft taking shape
Comment
June 15
Trenton Times
 
"Here's your list of victims for Tuesday's first A-list workout -- which actually includes a couple of B-list point guards -- and if you look at the next four workouts, you can pretty much discern how they're thinking. First, the Tuesday group: POS. PLAYER, SCHOOL F James Johnson, Wake Forest (6-9, 245) F Earl Clark, Louisville (6-9, 225) F Geoff McDermott, Providence (6-7, 240) F Leo Lyons, Missouri (6-9, 240) PG Kyle McAlarney, Notre Dame (6-0, 196) PG AJ Abrams, Texas (5-11, 160) Obviously, they'll be looking closest at the Johnson-Clark matchup, which may, in fact, determine how they invest the 11th pick 10 days hence. As for those guards who are looking for summer league invites: ..."
Devin Hopes Jonny's In Like Flynn
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June 7
New York Post
 
"Count Devin Harris among the interested parties who wouldn't mind seeing the Nets draft a third point guard. And if the Nets go in that direction, Harris likes the thought of Syracuse point Jonny Flynn. "I've watched him a lot. He's tough, can do a lot of different things on the floor. He can score when you need him to. He handles the ball. He's quick. He's strong, can run a team," Harris said yesterday at a charity autograph signing appearance for his 34 Ways to Assist Foundation at a Hackensack Dunkin' Donuts. "We need a third point guard," Harris said, noting the Nets' other needs as well, "athleticism, somebody who brings toughness, grit. I read about the power forward from Wake Forest ..."
Workouts, workouts everywhere
Comment
June 6
Trenton Times
 
"If by some strange harmonic convergence you keep track of this stuff, the Nets are holding three days of workouts starting next Friday -- but it's mostly for the second-tier guys, the kids who will land in the bottom half of the first round. Or so we thought: "There are some guys, two or three, whom we may consider that will be in this first group," Rod Thorn said the other day. Then comes the second round of workouts -- from June 16 to 19 -- and those will more likely include the guy the Nets are likely to draft, such as Johnson, Clark, Williams, Flynn, Jennings, Blair or even Hansborough. Thorn won't talk about his short list at No. 11, but we're told it's in the "seven or eight" range ..."
Jazz Offseason: Detroit, New Jersey mentioned as Boozer possibilities
Comment
June 1
Salt Lake Tribune
 
"Carlos Boozer has yet to make official a decision about opting out of his contract to become a free agent, but speculation about the All-Star forward's future with the Jazz only increased Sunday. As the New York Post 's Peter Vecsey wrote, "Apparently, rising free agent-of-choice Carlos Boozer is telling confidants he's either going to Detroit or New Jersey." The Pistons are expected to have the salary-cap space to be able to sign Boozer outright and long have been thought a potential destination, but the Nets would need to work out a sign-and-trade with the Jazz to acquire Boozer. Such a deal with New Jersey likely would have to be built around either Vince Carter, who has three years ..."
Detroit, New Jersey mentioned as Boozer possibilities
Comment
June 1
Salt Lake Tribune
 
"Carlos Boozer has yet to make official a decision about opting out of his contract to become a free agent, but speculation about the All-Star forward's future with the Jazz only increased Sunday. As the New York Post 's Peter Vecsey wrote, "Apparently, rising free agent-of-choice Carlos Boozer is telling confidants he's either going to Detroit or New Jersey." The Pistons are expected to have the salary-cap space to be able to sign Boozer outright and long have been thought a potential destination, but the Nets would need to work out a sign-and-trade with the Jazz to acquire Boozer. Such a deal with New Jersey likely would have to be built around either Vince Carter, who has three years ..."
Carlos Boozer going to either Pistons or Nets
Comment
June 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"New York Post columnist Peter Vescey reports that Jazz forward Carlos Boozer is telling people he has his free-agent destination narrowed down to two teams. "Apparently, rising free agent-of-choice Carlos Boozer is telling confidants he's either going to Detroit or New Jersey -- only way the capsized Nets pull that off is by doing a sign-and-trade," Vescey wrote in today's Post. Boozer could opt out of this deal with the Jazz, due to pay him more than $12 million next season. This past season, Boozer averaged 16.2 points and 10.4 rebounds in only 37 games because of a left knee injury."
Nets seek forward, guard
Comment
May 19
Bergen Record
 
"The NBA draft this year is top-heavy - right at the top. There's one 6-foot-10, 250-pound power forward who is the guaranteed No. 1 pick and many questions after that. That's why tonight, perhaps more than any other night, it's good to be the Kings. Sacramento has a 25 percent chance of winning the lottery and the right to draft Oklahoma's Blake Griffin. The winner also will field many phone calls from teams trying to package picks and players to move up for Griffin. Unless the Nets, who are slated to pick 11th, beat their miniscule chances - 0.9 percent - count them among those calling to see what it would take to get No. 1. The Nets had a very good draft last year, picking Brook Lopez ..."