[ESPN] Nets look at Scola

Nets after Scola?

Hopefully they don't offer a contract that we can't match.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/17818/the-nets-plan-b

The Nets Plan B
July, 8, 2010
Jul 8
12:28
PM ET

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Ford By Chad Ford
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The New Jersey Nets are on the verge of becoming the team with crazy cap room that got shut out from all the major free agents.

If LeBron spurns them tonight, the Nets ended up losing the recruiting battle for LeBron, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Rudy Gay and Carlos Boozer among others. And it sounds like they're not front runners for landing David Lee.

I don't think that's what new owner Mikhail Prokhorov anticipated going into the summer.

With more than $30 million in cap space and all the top free agents off the market, what do they plan on doing?

The first hint came Thursday morning when the team came to terms with Travis Outlaw on a 5 year, $35 million dollar deal.

More is on the way. Sources say that the Nets are strongly considering making an offer to either Tyrus Thomas or Luis Scola to fill their hole at the power forward position.

Both Thomas and Scola are restricted free agents which means that the Bobcats and Rockets can match any offer.

The team is also exploring trades with teams looking to reduce their payroll. During the draft they had discussions with both the Pacers and Blazers about larger deals that included LaMarcus Aldridge and Danny Granger for the rights to No. 3 pick Derrick Favors.

The Nets plan to use about $20M of their $30M in cap space this summer. The plan is to hang onto the other $10M to use as an asset for in-season trades (they way the Thunder have masterfully done the past 2 years) and, if nothing materializes, to roll the cap space over to the 2011 season.

 

Good thing its Socla and not Scola.

 

They may look at him but they may not touch.

 

15 million for scola!!

 

They won't. They have Derrick Favors waiting in the wings at that spot, so they're not going to toss some bloated long-term contract to Scola.

And even if they do, we can still match it and I think Les Alexander is very keen on that, even if Daryl Morey thinks it's too much.

 

This could be a little scary, considering they just paid Outlaw $7 million/year. But Scola is older, so I can't see them offering more than about $8 mil, in which case I think we would match.

If they get up to $9 or $10 mil though, it will be interesting to see what Morey does. I think they'll offer Tyrus more though, based on the Outlaw signing.

edit: i'm referring to average salaries of course, not any particular year of the contract.

 

They just gave the MLE the Travis Outlaw....

 

You're damn good but not quite Hakeem!

 

Don't make me post a screenshot.

 

Ruh Roh, they have a lot of money to spend.

 

Well, with Bosh out, I think teh Rox is going to match it at all cost.

 

Morey's going from the Wizard to Media Darling in my books if they don't match that offer.

Why pick up Hayes's contract when that extra $2.5M can go to keeping Scola?

 

And who do they have waiting in the wings that they spent a high lottery pick on at the 3?

That's right: no one.

It's different.

 

that bolded part said "they need to fill a hole at PF" didnt they draft Favors? hes a Rook but its not a hole.. they have a ton of money so its likely they overpay to ensure they get something this free agency ehich doesnt bode well for us

 

I knew it, 8-10 mill a year...bank on it.

 

We can't afford to lose Scola, even if we can't afford to keep him. Les better take another mortgage out on his house.

 

tell them to look somewhere else!

 

I think they almost have to.. otherwise we "will have a hole at PF" .. we just witnessed how hard it is get a star FA to come to HOU so when u have one the caliber of Scola, u better hold on to him