The trade deadline is this week and if the Nets want
to compete for a title they need to make some moves. In this piece I’ll break
down each position to see where the Nets need to improve.
Point Guards
Shaun Livingston- Livingston has been the best point
guard on the roster all year and has been the biggest surprise of the Nets
season. Livingston’s numbers don’t blow you away 7.9ppg 3.2rpg and apg 14.75
PER but he does a lot of little this well and provides great defense. Last year
when the Knicks were at their best they inserted Pablo Prigioni into the
starting lineup. The two point guard look was key for the Knicks and now it’s a
key for the Nets. In my opinion Shaun Livingston is this year’s Pablo Prigioni
although Livingston is probably a better player than Prigioni.
Deron Williams- Everyone’s favorite Net! I remember
getting the breaking news text message from ESPN in my 10th grade
Biology class saying the Nets had acquired Deron Williams and me jumping out of
my seat in excitement. Now I jump out of my seat with frustrated when it comes
to Deron. His whole tenure with the Nets has been a disappointment and this
season has been no different. Deron is averaging 13 ppg and 6.9 apg those are
his lowest numbers since his rookie season. On top of his disappoint play he
can’t stay healthy. If I am the Nets I would look into trading D-will and get
his contract off the books. I would call the Rockets about Lin, Asik and a
pick. If the Nets do that trade are they any worse?
Marquis Teague- STOP
When
it comes to the point guard position the Nets could use another player that can
be trusted off the bench. For example trading Jason Terry for J.J Barea now
this doesn’t make sense for the T-wolves but damnit Minnesota help us out! They
both are on two year deals and both make around 5 million dollars. Maybe Jason
Terry retires if he gets traded to the T-wolves and it turns into a one year
deal? If the Nets had some second round picks to trade this would be possible…
Thanks Billy King!!!
Shooting
Guard
Deron Williams- He’s been starting at the 2 lately
but we all know he’s a point guard.
Alan Anderson- Anderson was signed to be the 15th
man on this roster and then he found himself starting 25 games. Anderson is
shooting 35% from three this year that number should be high considering all
the open looks he has. The main question with Anderson is can you trust him
down the stretch and in the playoffs… Nope.
Jason Terry- STOP
This
is easily the Nets weakest position. If the Nets want to compete with the Heat
and Pacers they need to upgrade this position. The only problem with the Nets
is they have no trade assists. No picks to trade until 2020!!! Thanks Billy
King! They can trade away the rights to Bojan Bogdanovic. Bojan is considered
to be one of the best players overseas and if you’re the Nets can you afford to
trade him? He might be the only good young player the Nets have in years. How
do the Nets upgrade this position? GULP… get creative Billy King…
Small
Forward
Joe Johnson- Joe is the Nets only all-star and is
the best pure scorer on this team.
Andrei Kirilenko- AK47 is the most important player
on this roster the Nets are 13-5 with him on the floor. He does everything well
that the Nets as a team don’t do well. His stats aren’t impressive either but
it doesn’t matter his defense and ability to slash to the basket is very
important.
Could
the Nets use another small forward? Yeah they basically just need to add a wing
player to add to the depth.
Stretch Four
SCREW THE POWER FORWARD!
Paul Pierce- Pierce started off slowly but he has
turn his season around.
Mirza Teletovic- Jason Kidd has freed Mirza and it
has been fantastic. Mirza is shooting 42% from three and is really stretching
the floor for the Nets. The only downside with Mirza is that his team defense
is really bad and sometimes hard to watch.
Andrei Kirilenko- He has played some time here
aswell.
This
shouldn’t be a problem the rest of the way for the Nets as long as everyone
stays healthy.
Center
Kevin Garnett- KG like Pierce started the season off
slowly but he has turned it around. He has found his mid-range jump shot in
January KG shot 57% and is shooting 52% so far in February. His rebounding rate
is at its best ever in his career and his defense has been fantastic as well.
Andray Blatche- Blatche is the greatest show in
Brooklyn and that isn’t a great thing all the time. But Blatche is one of the
best back up centers in the league.
Mason Plumlee- Plumlee has been great in his limited
role in his rookie year. If Plumlee keeps working hard he should be a good role
player.
Reggie Evans- STOP
Brook Lopez- Now Brook Lopez is out for the year but
the great Zach Lowe of Grantland says the Nets should consider trading Lopez.
This isn’t a bad idea the Nets are a win now team and Brook Lopez is out for
the year so he’s not helping. If the Nets can trade Lopez for a really good
winger player and draft picks they have to consider it.
The Nets don’t need to trade for a
center this position is good.
