2009-10 NBA Season Preview: New Jersey Nets

Depth Chart:

C: Brook Lopez/Tony Battie/Sean Williams

PF: Yi Jianlian/Eduardo Najera/Josh Boone

SF: Terrence Williams/Jarvis Hayes/Bobby Simmons

SG: Courtney Lee/Trenton Hassell/Chris Douglas-Roberts

PG: Devin Harris/Rafer Alston/Keyon Dooling

Head Coach: Lawrence Frank (7th year)

2009-2010 Team Salary: $56.8 million

Projected 2010-2011 Team Salary: approximately $26.4 million

Off-Season Grade: Aced

Here’s the deal: The Nets were not going anywhere with Vince Carter on the roster. So trading Carter and the $33.6 million he is guaranteed over the next two years for two expiring contracts and a promising young player in Courtney Lee made a lot of sense. It sets New Jersey up nicely for next offseason to have plenty of cap flexibility to try and make a run at one of the many marquee free agents. Alston provides a backup to Devin Harris while Tony Battie will bring some toughness and leadership up front. I am surprised Rod Thorn was willing to part ways with Ryan Anderson, who showed great promise in his rookie year.

Other than that, it was a fairly quiet offseason for the Nets who held pat with their roster. I think Terrence Williams was a great value with the 11th pick and should be able to add his versatility on the wing.

2009-2010 Outlook:

Devin Harris made a leap from a solid NBA player to an All-Star last season and will need to continue that development for the Nets to have any shot at making the playoffs. Brook Lopez made great strides during his rookie season and proved he can be a very valuable big man at the next level.

Besides Harris and Lopez, and up-and-coming players like Williams and Lee, the roster is rounded out with role players who either haven’t lived up to their expectations or shouldn’t be playing expanded minutes. Not a good sign for this season…

Looking Ahead to the Summer of 2010:

Before they exercise the options on young player like Lopez, Lee, or Douglas-Roberts, the Nets only have four players under contract for the 2010-2011 season which gives them plenty of cap space to be a major player next summer. Team co-owner and rap mogul Jay-Z will try everything in his power to convince good pal LeBron to come east to Jersey (or Brooklyn if they ever move there.) The odds are slim of the James joining Jay-Z, but the Nets should still be able to land a marquee free agent to add to their collection of youth. I would also expect New Jersey to try to move Najera or Dooling at the deadline for an expiring contract to have even more money to spend next summer.

2009-10 NBA Power Ranking: 25th