Change is inevitable. But don’t expect it among the starting unit – and especially among the Big Three – for the Nets as they stumble into another early offseason.
“I think our starting team is pretty daggone good … one of the best in the league,” said team president Rod Thorn, who saw his team get bounced from the playoffs, 4-1, by the Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Thorn stressed the Nets’ need for size and depth – areas that were glaring holes last summer, areas the Nets thought they filled with the acquisitions of Marc Jackson and Jeff McInnis and the signing of traveled but seemingly dependable veterans.
“We thought we were going to be good off the bench, but some guys didn’t play as well as we thought they would,” Thorn said, assessing his team as “we don’t have enough inside. We’re outside. We drive from outside but we don’t have enough inside. It gets you to the foul line, gets the other team in foul trouble.” You have to give up something to get something. But the Nets, who have their breakup meetings and exit interviews today, are not ready to surrender Vince Carter or Richard Jefferson, although the universal “unless …” exists.
“They definitely can play together. They’re about the same size, but I think they can definitely play together,” Thorn said.
“We’ve had some good moments with those guys together this year. I don’t think that’s our problem. I never say we’re not going to do anything because you always have to look and you never know what’s available. [But] I would be surprised.” But again, “It all depends who the big player [is].” After a lopsided win by each team in the first two games, the Nets battled the Heat in thrilling fashion over the next three games.
“I’ve never been a part of something where you seem you’re so close,” said Richard Jefferson, who admitted he was playing from Game 2 on with a bum ankle. “So close.” But not close enough. So here comes change.
The Nets have an immediate dilemma – Cliff Robinson, suspended during the playoffs for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. He may be as welcome as typhus, but his insideoutside skills are hard to replace. But he likely is gone.
As they do every summer, the Nets will take the pulse of the Kevin Garnett situation in Minnesota. Garnett is signed through 2009 but can opt out after ’08, so the time for the ‘Wolves to move him – if so inclined – would be after next season.
Garnett is getting frustrated with the inertia of the ‘Wolves but he hates change. Still, he’ll closely monitor offseason moves.
So where do the Nets get size and depth, specifically energized depth? The freeagent class is generally weak. And how much will they be able to spend? The restricted big men (guys who teams can match) who’ll be discussed include Jared Jeffries, Justin Reed, Rasual Butler, Melvin Ely, Drew Gooden, Francisco Elson, Fred Jones and Chris Wilcox. The unrestricteds include Reggie Evans, Jarron Collins, Bobby Jackson, Nazr Mohammed, Loren Woods, Jake Voskuhl and Joel Przybilla. Some, like Wilcox and Mohammed, will be too pricey. There’s the draft but realistically, how much immediate help will they get at 22 and 23?
“There’ll be somebody available who’s going to be pretty good, but I don’t know how big they’ll be,” said Thorn. “We’re going to try to add a big player or two if we can to our team. We’re going to try to add some other pieces.” The Nets have their mid-level exception ($5-plus million) and the $1.6 million lower exception. They may split the midlevel among several players to address their depth.
