The Nets gave up their first-round pick to the Trail Blazers in March's Gerald Wallace trade, but that doesn't necessarily mean they won't have a first-rounder three weeks from now. Coach Avery Johnson told ESPN.com's Andy Katz (as relayed by Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv) that the Nets are looking to acquire a first-round pick in the coming weeks.
"We are preparing like we are still going to be in the first round," Johnson said. "We have an unlimited amount of resources within the rules, so you never know. We probably could get into the first round, end of the first round."
Johnson answered vaguely when asked specifically how the Nets could add a first-round pick, and I'm not sure what he means when he says the team has an "unlimited amount of resources." Players facing free agency can't be traded at this point, so the Nets' resources amount to future picks, a handful of players under contract, and perhaps cash.
Reports since the end of the regular season have suggested that Deron Williams will only be interested in re-signing with the Nets if he feels the club can contend right away, so it would be a little surprising if Brooklyn gave up anything of immediate value to draft a prospect. Still, Johnson says there are a number of players in the draft class that interest the Nets.
"We’re talking to teams like everybody else," Johnson said. "And we have our eyes on some players that if we end up getting in the first round, there’s some guys that we like."
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