Yesterday, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld wrote that the Nets wouldn't mind clearing some future cap room by moving Anthony Morrow or Jordan Farmar before the trade deadline. Both guards should draw interest from clubs, but the sharp-shooting Morrow would bring in the greater haul of the two.
While Morrow's defense is less-than-stellar, the 26-year-old has shown the ability to ignite an offense with his perimeter play. Morrow has cracked the top ten in three-point field goal percentage in each of his three NBA seasons.
Roughly one-third of the way through this year's 66-game season, the Nets already appear to be looking beyond 2012. New Jersey has just over $34MM committed in 2012/13 salaries but would like to give themselves as much flexibility as possible as they look ahead. Morrow will earn $4MM next season to close out the three-year pact he inked with the Nets in the summer of 2010.
General Manager Billy King & Co. talked with the Grizzlies earlier this month about trading Morrow and a draft pick in exchange for O.J. Mayo, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports tweeted. Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal later reported that the Nets also offered a package of Farmar, a draft pick, and cash considerations for Mayo. For the Nets, the motivation for either deal would be to unload 2012/13 salary by taking on Mayo's expiring $5.6MM contract.
If they do not receive a two-guard in return, moving Morrow would leave the Nets remarkably thin at the position as rookie MarShon Brooks is sidelined indefinitely with a fractured pinky toe. However, if the Nets are truly looking beyond this campaign, it's a sacrifice that they might be willing to make. Contenders and non-contenders alike can be expected to inquire on Morrow in the coming weeks and he can be had at a great value for a club willing to part with an expiring contract.