When discussing the Nets, there is one element to remember: They’ve stunk recently.
OK, two elements to remember.
Keeping Deron Williams is the prime directive.
Yeah, they’ve stunk recently. But Williams can change that. Yeah, they must sell tickets and interest for Brooklyn. Williams can help that. Yeah, they must bring more than just a representative team to Brooklyn when they open the Barclays Center for basketball in the fall of 2012. Williams can aid that.
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The fact there will be a season, barring the possibility of the proposed new NBA collective bargaining agreement imploding, is a tremendous plus for the Nets. No season could prove lethal. They must show they’ve improved not only to keep Williams’ interest but the fans’ as well. A new arena won’t do it alone. The Brooklyn gym could have the greatest sightlines on Earth but if the sight on the court is a lousy team, it wouldn’t matter. Building novelty erodes quickly.
With lockout rules still in place, management cannot comment. Players are another matter. Comments came quickly, despite Nets spread all over the globe (Williams in Turkey, Jordan Farmar in Israel, for example). Now they just need to get back — and all players under contract have NBA outs in their foreign deals.
“Guess ill be going home soon! My time in Istanbul w/Besiktas was amazing thanks for everything!” was Williams’ initial tweet from Turkey following the news of an early-morning handshake agreement.
“Woke up to great news … can’t wait to get back on the court! Thanks to all our fans for your patience. Amazing season comming!!!” posted Nets free agent Kris Humphries.
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Nets general Billy King and assistant GM Bobby Marks have a ton of work to do. But they should have $20-plus million to spend, even with 10 players, including rookies Brooks and Jordan Williams (and minus Travis Outlaw, who figures to be an amnesty clause jettison), with guaranteed deals. Outlaw has gone through one year of a five-year, $35 million contract. While not a crippling deal, it certainly overpays a guy who averaged 9.2 points and shot 37.5 percent.
There will be harsher luxury tax penalties, but the Nets have a deep-pockets owner in Mikhail Prokhorov. The Nets, over the length of a contract, should be able to offer Williams some $30 million more than any other team (which seems more appealing than any sidekicks upgrade). At season’s end, Williams can opt out of the $17.7 million due him in 2012-13.
As for free agents, Nene, Tayshaun Prince, possibly Jamal Crawford are likely targets. Humphries is possible, depending on how close they are in price.