With the 2008 Draft now over, Rod Thorn, Kiki Vandeweghe and the rest of the Nets basketball brain trust can shift their full attention to the turbulent waters of free agency, where, beginning July 1st, they will look to round out the roster and re-establish the Nets as an Eastern Conference powerhouse.

Much like winning the draft lottery, hitting big in the free agent market can turn the fortunes of a franchise around. Take the Los Angeles Lakers, for instance, who, during the summer of 1996, snagged Shaquille O’Neal off the free agent line and parlayed it into three straight championships earlier this decade. The Phoenix Suns have also reaped the benefits of free agency in recent history, as they have won at least 54 games in each of the past four seasons since acquiring Steve Nash as a free agent from Dallas.

"Teams with franchise types already in place have also used free agency to bring in role players who can put a team over the championship hump. The newly crowned Boston Celtics brought in James Posey during last summer’s free agent signing period. The San Antonio Spurs also brought in key contributors for their recent championship runs like Robert Horry, Michael Finley and Brent Barry through free agent signings.

No strangers to the trials and tribulations that the free agency period brings, Thorn and his staff were threatened with the possibility of losing Vince Carter to free agency last summer, before they managed to lock up one of the franchise’s cornerstones to a long term deal.

TThis summer the Nets will face the free agent fire again, as four players that ended last season with the team will become free agents on July 1st. Nenad Krstic will be a restricted free agent, allowing the Nets to match any offer to retain his services. Krstic saw his numbers rise dramatically in each of his first three seasons before suffering a torn ACL that ended his 2006-07 campaign prematurely and limited his effectiveness during the 2007-08 season.

The Nets will also face big decisions in regards to Bostjan Nachbar, DeSagana Diop and Darrell Armstrong who will all be unrestricted free agents. Nachbar could draw the most interest throughout the league, as his shooting ability and open court skills would be valuable commodities to any team. Teams will also most likely take a long look at Diop, whose length and defensive abilities made him valued piece in the mid-season mega-deal with Dallas that brought Devin Harris to the Nets.

If they do not resign most of their free agents the Nets roster will definitely have different look next season. Fortunately for Nets faithful, this summer’s free agent group is as stocked as ever, with All-Stars, rising young upstarts and quality role players packing the list. Pick any team need, and an NBA executive could find a player to fill the gap. Shooters. Wing defenders. Big-time scorers. Interior toughness. This free agent class has them all.

Teams that are looking to the free agent class for scoring punch in the backcourt are in luck, as the crown jewels of this year’s free agency class, Gilbert Arenas and Baron Davis, are unrestricted free agents this summer. Ben Gordon, Monta Ellis and Jose Calderon are three more dynamic young backcourt players who are all restricted free agents this summer.

A flock of athletic wing players will be available for the right price starting July 1st as well. With Andre Iguodala, Luol Deng and Josh Childress amongst those players who are restricted free agents, and Corey Maggette owning early termination option to become a free agent, Nets stalwart Vince Carter might be seeing old foes in unfamiliar places next season.

Teams looking for help in the front court will have plenty to choose from, as Elton Brand and Antawn Jamison will be unrestricted free agents and Josh Smith, Emeka Okafor and Paul Millsap will all be restricted free agents.

The list of free agent centers is short, but teams looking for a veteran pivot man could fit a need with either Kurt Thomas or Alonzo Mourning, who are both unrestricted free agents.

The Nets will look to fill in the holes in their roster through free agency over the coming weeks, whether they will be able to retain their own free agents remains to be seen, however. Either way, it will definitely be an eventful summer at Nets basketball headquarters.

<< Back to All Access News