Nets Free Agent Targets
by: Anthony Dupree | Managing Editor - Buffalo Sports Day | Thursday, July 7
2005
The New Jersey Nets did a good job on the NBA Draft with Antoine Wright and
Mile Ilic. However, most of their own free agents, including fan favorite
Brian Scalabrine, are leaving for other teams. So now with July 1 passed, New
Jersey is already negotiating with outside free agents. In the final part of
the off-season series, we歓l discuss the free agents New Jersey needs, why do
they need him, and how realistic their chances are.
Financing: New Jersey is over the salary cap with $49 million. Jason Kidd and
Vince Carter combined make over $30 million. New Jersey does have a Mid-Level
Exception worth $4.9 million and a Trade Exception worth $5.2 million.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim: Power Forward
New Jersey旧 top priority this off-season is Abdur-Rahim. He averaged 17
points, seven rebounds, and one block per game for Portland last year.
Abdur-Rahim is an All-Star player who will be added to what is currently
three NBA Superstars in Kidd, Carter, and Richard Jefferson. Most
importantly, it gives New Jersey a very scary starting lineup while moving
Jason Collins to the bench. There旧 no question, Abdur-Rahim will make New
Jersey a Championship contender. The biggest issue concerning Abdur-Rahim has
is his defense. However, New Jersey does not care, and the fans certainly do
not care.
The Nets are offering Abdur-Rahim the $4.9 million Mid-Level Exception, but
Abdur-Rahim's agent, Aaron Goodwin, said it is 続oubtful?he would take less
money to play for New Jersey. However, New Jersey still has a chance because
of Jason Kidd and head coach Lawrence Frank. Kidd and Abdur-Rahim played as
teammates during college at Cal. Frank, on the other hand, was a scout and an
assistant for the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1997. That year, Abdur-Rahim played
for that team.
Other Teams Interested: San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Washington Wizards,
Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic
Donyell Marshall: Power Forward/Small Forward
One of the NBA旧 most underrated players, Marshall average 12 points, seven
rebounds, and one block a game for the Toronto Raptors last year. Marshall,
like Abdur-Rahim, is another scoring threat on the starting lineup. Marshall
will also make the Nets a real threat for the NBA championship. What makes
Marshall special can play both forward positions, which gives New Jersey
versatility in the forwards. Furthermore, He is also a consistent shooter
that will give the Nets a half-court option.
Right now, he旧 the backup in case Abdur-Rahim does not sign with New Jersey.
However, Marshall is being heavily pursued by other teams. Unless the Nets
find out soon if they are in the Abdur-Rahim sweepstakes, they will not have
a shot to sign Marshall.
Other Teams Interested: Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers
Stromile Swift: Power Forward/Center
Option number three in the Nets?power forward search, Swift averaged 10
points, five rebounds, and two blocks per game for the Memphis Grizzlies last
year. Unlike, Marshall and Abdur-Rahim, Swift isn急 a good shooter. He can
rebound and he will be on the highlight reel with the alley-oops Kidd will
dish out, but he has low basketball IQ. This is why he旧 the third option for
the Nets right now.
Being the third option would give the Nets little, to no chance, of signing
him. However, with a possibility that Abdur-Rahim may not become a Net, the
window is open for him as backup to Marshall. Will he take the $4.9 million
is another story.
Other Teams Interested: Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers
Keyon Dooling: Point Guard
A potential Jason Kidd backup, Dooling averaged five points, two assists, and
one steal a game for the Miami Heat last year. Dooling is not a good shooter,
despite last year, but he is a good defender. Rumors say that Dooling will be
signed to a multi-year deal by the Nets. New Jersey is hope to split their
$5.2 Trade Exception with him.
Other Teams Interested: None
Darius Songaila: Power Forward
A possible replacement for Scalabrine, Songaila averaged eight points, four
rebounds, and 0.2 blocks a game for the Sacramento Kings last year. Songaila
is an OK offensive player, but isn急 good on defense or rebounding. The Nets
are hoping to spilt the other half of their Trade Exception with him.
Other Teams Interested: None
http://www.nysportsday.com/news/njn/1120803453.html
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