| Nets Need Size Authored by Patrick J. Austin - July 22, 2006 - 6:13 pm
The Nets have one of the best perimeter trios in the league with Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson. Very few teams can match-up against that combination of size, athleticism, and scoring talent. Unfortunately, the Nets do not yet have the interior presence to compliment their prolific wing players. The lack of production on the frontline is the one element missing from the Nets making a serious run in the post-season.
I would be remised if I didn’t mention the fact that New Jersey does have Nenad Kristic and Jason Collins on the frontline. Both Kristic and Collins are solid players; Kristic even has the upside to be a double-double producer one day. However, he’s more of a finesse big man rather than the low-post threat New Jersey lacks. As for Jason Collins, he’s a very good interior defender but his offensive abilities are virtually non-existent.
The Nets used one of their first round picks in this past draft on power forward, Josh Boone. Josh is going to be a fantastic fit on the Nets and brings some of the attributes they desperately need. Unfortunately, he will be going under the knife to try and fix a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He’s expected to be out as long as four to six months. This means he should not be relied upon to produce this coming season. I mean, not only is he a rookie adapting to NBA life, but to throw rehab time for a shoulder injury on top of everything will make it that much more difficult for him to be productive.
So what can the Nets do to fill the void in the frontcourt? Well, they have the mid-level exception to sign free agents and there are some solid big men still on the market. Four names that come to mind are Chris Wilcox, Drew Gooden, Melvin Ely, and Lorenzon Wright. Let’s take a look at each…
Chris Wilcox
Wilcox is eerily similar to Kenyon Martin in terms of playing style and stature. His game is entirely predicated on athleticism. He can be a force in the open court and is capable of throwing down game-stopping dunks. During the last half of the season with Seattle he posted impressive numbers (14ppg & 8rpg). The big challenge in signing him is the fact that he’s a restricted free agent. This means Seattle can match any offer a team makes. However, Seattle has been low-balling Wilcox and his agent has said that if they don’t make a serious offer (e.g. 6yrs/60 million) they will accept the 1-year qualifying contract and leave next summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. This could persuade the Sonics to sign and trade him in order to get some sort of value. The Nets have some pieces that might interest Seattle in a potential trade including Antoine Wright, expiring contracts, and future draft picks. Of course, do the Nets really want to invest major money in a player who’s only played well for half a season? We’ll see. Personally, I can only see Wilcox in a Nets uniform if his agent lowers the contract demands.
Drew Gooden
Gooden is in the exact same situation as Wilcox. He’s demanding a 10 mill a year contract and hasn’t posted the kind of numbers that would garner such a deal (of course, Nene didn’t either and look what he got).
Melvin Ely
Ely is coming off a career year where he averaged 10ppg and 5rpg. For the first time he looked motivated on the court. Of course, his new-found motivation has lead many to believe he was playing hard only because he knew it was a contract-year. If the Nets were to give him a multi-year, big money contract they could wind up getting another Jim McIllvane rather than a consistent low-post presence. His price tag is probably more reasonable than Wilcox and Gooden, but I’m sure his camp is still going to ask for a 6-8 mill a year contract. I believe the Bobcats would be open to a sign and trade and the Nets, once again, have pieces that could interest them. If Ely is willing to accept a deal for 6 or 7 mill a year, I think New Jersey could make a move for him.
Lorenzon Wright
Lo-Wright is a veteran big man with good rebounding and defensive skills. His offensive game isn’t great, but he can give you 6-10ppg. Wright would most certainly demand the mid-level exception and when you look at what big men are getting these days, he’s worth it. I believe he’s the most realistic option for the Nets in terms of finances and team needs.
Those are just some of the frontcourt players New Jersey can choose from. There are other second-tier big men that could be looked at if the Nets want to be fiscally conservative such as Reggie Evans, Scott Pollard, Kelvin Cato, and Greg Ostertag (just kidding). Whomever they decide to pursue, they need to do it quick. Big men come at a premium in this league and if management waits they could wind up scrapping from the bottom of the free agent barrel. But with Rod Thorn in charge, I’m confident something will get done. |
