Tim Bontemps of the New York Post ran down the Nets’ 15-man roster and looked at what’s ahead for them this offseason. That includes Joe Johnson, who Bontemps feels is pretty likely to wind up elsewhere next season. The Nets would like to re-sign Brook Lopez, and moving Johnson’s mammoth deal is one of two ways the Nets can do it. The other way to make space would be to dump Deron Williams‘ contract, though his reputation and additional contract year could make him a tougher sell. More out of Brooklyn..
- While there’s been a lot of talk about stretching Williams’ contract, there’s been little discussion of a more traditional buyout like the one Dikembe Mutombo received from the Nets 12 years ago, Robert Windrem of Nets Daily writes. In fact, sources tell Windrem that like the stretch option, a traditional buyout is also a possibility for Williams and Brooklyn. The stretch option would leave only a seven-figure hit on the Nets’ cap, but it would mean that the hit extends over a longer period. A traditional buyout would hurt more in the next two years, but it would be over and done with after that.
- The Nets and GM Billy King have their work cut out for them this summer, Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com writes. While King claims that there is a market for both Johnson and Williams, it remains to be seen whether that’s the case. On the plus side, Lionel Hollins looks to be the first coach in the Nets’ Brooklyn history to make it to a second season at the helm.
- David LaRue, CEO of Bruce Ratner’s parent company Forest City Enterprises, told investors this week that Mikhail Prokhorov was not aiming to sell his stake in the Nets completely but rather “looking to monetize a portion of their asset,” according to reporter Norman Oder. Many reports indicated that Prokhorov was giving heavy consideration to selling the team.