I just read this at Sportstalk.com. Seems the misfortunes of the Nets could lead to some lucky teams big break come draft day. According to the NJ Star Ledger, Kerry Kittles may be out for the season, or forever. In a cryptically worded four-paragraph statement, the Nets announced that Kittles had the cartilage resurfaced in his right knee -- his second operation on the knee in the last six weeks and his fourth in the last three off-seasons. According to the statement, Kittles will now have an extended non-weight-bearing period -- he'll be in a wheelchair or on crutches -- followed by what the team termed 'extensive rehabilitation.' Most ominously, the team said that there is no timetable for the 26-year-old's return to the active roster. Kittles' unavailability may extend the Nets' career of Kendall Gill, who can become a free agent on July 1. Gill, who has struggled offensively as a small forward, has longed to return to shooting guard and Kittles' absence could entice the team to keep the 10-year veteran around at least one more year. The tragedy may also force the Nets hand in trading their pick for an established player and a lower pick. http://www.sportstalk.com/nba/rumors/ This is the article the story is from: http://www.nj.com/nets/ledger/index.ssf?/sports/ledger/fd5968.html ------------------
Question #1: Was Tonja Harding talking to K. Gill recently????? Question #2: Can Walt Williams and #9 get us #1? ------------------
No way WW and #9 will cut it! ------------------ Having a Rockets jersey, $40.00 Having a Rockets t-shirt, $15.00 Having CLUTCHCITY.NET, PRICELESS!
He-he, Tonya Harding. I think this opens up a lot of possibilities if NJ deals that pick, depending on who they deal with and what they get. If they end up with the 4,5 or 7, then it may be possible for Houston to move up using Cato and the 9 since NJ still needs a center and taking Cato allows them to also take a PF or SG at the 9 spot. Anyway, since it is more likely that the Rox won't get any of this action, NJ dealing that pick could still be a good thing as it changes the make up of the team needs determining the picks ahead of us. In other words, If NJ deals down and stays above 9, then it is likely that they will draft a center (Pryz or Tak) and push more talent down to the 9 spot(especially if Clevland also drafts a center). ------------------ [This message has been edited by JeffB (edited June 16, 2000).]
Okay try this sweater on for size! 1. Houston Gives Up: Cato, Walt, #9 2. New Jersey Gives Up: #1 3. Chicago Gives up #4 and #7 1. Houston Gets: #1, #7, 2. New Jersey gets: Walt,#4 3. Chicago Gets: Cato, #9 ------------------
That gives us Swift, plus an excellent opportunity to get any number of threes avauilable. Or, take Swift with number one and trade away #7 and our #38 to the Clips for Michael Owolokandi. Or, Swift with the number one and trade away #7 and #38 to Orlando for their #10, #13 and their obligation (first rounder). They get #5 and #7. And the #10 and #13 gets us DerMarr Johnson and Sou Samake. ------------------
Why on earth would the Nets be forced to trade? It is not like they are one player away from a championship or even the playoffs. They are very likely to be a deep lottery team next year as well, no matter if they keep or trade their pick. ------------------
I wouldn't say it forces them to trade but that it makes trading the pick more appealing. They could still get a big man with a pick AND get a replacement 2 guard either with a second pick or through a trade. It could be in their interests to make a trade so they don't have to remain lottery dwellers. They don't want to waste too many of Van Horn's and Marbury's years trying to build a team. They need to fill that squad out soon and then get some playoff experience. I personally feel that they were one player away fromt he playoffs. If Williams isn't injured then they are in good shape. But luck didn't go their way. Now they have to replace Williams (assumed to be KMart)and maybe even Kittles. I feel they can replace both if they play their cards right. ------------------
chicago wouldn't give up 4 and 7 for kelvin cato and 9. new jersey wouldn't give up 1 for walt willaims and 4.
NJ has another viable option. They can trade their #1 to Chicago or Orlando for two of either team's 1st round picks. Both the Bulls and Magic have an incentive to do this since they get to pick the player they want (or deal the # 1 pick again) and they free up a little more cap room for the free agent market. Orlando especially since they have 3 lottery picks and by trading two of them still get good prospects and have to pay one less rookie guaranteed money. The Nets would then be able to address two of their need positions in the lottery. Since it is unlikely they will contend for a championship next year it makes sense to get young talent they can develop now along with Marbury and Van Horn. ------------------
Exactly. My point is that NJ is likely to draft differently than Chi and Orl. Since they need a big man, they may feel the need to snatch a good one up before Cle or Hou pick. It would be great if they got the two picks from Chi and opted to take a center with one of those picks. ------------------
Even if Williams and Kittles are gone forever , in which case they would get some kind of salary cap compensation, I would still draft K-Mart and play him and van horn together, with Gill at the 2 spot, if Van horn and Kmart don't work together then trade one of them away before the deadline. ------------------ CUT Tino Isn't it amazing how quickly everyone did a Cat Backflip!!!!!
