<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On the forum on nj.com, a user named ataxo had predicted a trade for the Nets. He has a very good track record of leaking trades in the past. He said the Nets were to trade the LAC's pic with Zoran for a mid lottery to perhaps get Felton, then us the 15th to get a big man. This would be interesting, but also a risk. I think the Clippers will be playoff-bound next year or damn close. Felton would be a good PG to mentor when Kidd goes into his latter years (though I would prefer Deron Williams, who'd probably go higher in the draft).
With the 15th pick, I say the Nets should just draft Sean May. He's the safe choice. He'll definitely be a good rebounder and will score. Defensively he will not help, but we'll have Jason Collins off the bench if we need help. Unfortunately, our fastbreak won't be helped by a slow May.</div>
I've also seen this mentioned before on another forum and it is very interesting. Although I still believe Zoran can become a good 2/3 backup with his ability to shoot and get into the lane, I wouldn't mind giving him up for the opportunity to draft someone like Felton, Williams, Jack, or Splitter (I'm still worried about Taft's ethic).
I've also heard that the Nets (15) would do this with the Warriors (9) and not the Clippers (12). The Warriors have a higher pick, and may be more willing to do so because they seem interested in Granger, who can be picked with a lower pick.
If this goes down, there are two possiblities: 1) Rod and Ed draft two big bodies (akin to Henacy's plan), or 2) they draft a PF and PG to fill two spots on their lineup cheaply. The SG/SF aren't quite as bright in the draft, and I believe those can be filled with FA's easily.
1) I would like to see the drafting of Tiago Splitter and Ike Diogu. Splitter is constatly moving up in the charts and he seems like the perfect PF (for any team, actually) in terms of defense, size, skill, smarts. Check out this article
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<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Splitter only played 22 minutes, but continued his impressive form in the playoffs with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in that time. The first three quarters were not the best performance ever for this athletic Brazilian big man, with only 3 points and 2 rebounds through the first half, but his play in the all important fourth quarter left a lasting impression of what this young 7 footer is begining to develop into and what he might end up becoming as he continues to mature.
First and foremost should be mentioned his outstanding defense throughout the game. Splitter did a good job in the paint, but it was on rotations forced off pick and roll situations where he really showed his talent. Tiago has the rare ability for a 7 footer to match guards step for step from the perimeter down to the basket with his excellent lateral movement, but still always staying close to his man with his hands in the air and not leaving him any options to get his shot off or find the open man. He forced a number of bad shots and turnovers strictly by playing strong and fundamentally sound defense. Gran Canaria's big men tried to back him down in the post and get towards the basket, but Splitter was having none of it and used his lower body and wingspan almost every time to frustrate and force his man into looking for another option.
Offensively, Splitter was always the first man down the floor running with his guards in transition, showing off his quickness but rarely being rewarded with his efforts by receiving the ball. He had one gorgeous move from about 12 feet out where he showed off his terrific footwork and improving ball-handling skills to get his man off balance and then elegently lay the ball in the basket once he got by him. In the 4th quarter he scored a number of huge baskets either off huge offensive rebounds or simply by putting himself in the right place at the right time to catch the ball and finish with an athletic move when his team's offense broke down.</div>
A 7 foot PF who defends, runs the floor, has a growing number of post skills, and is still only 20 years old?
And I think everyone here has heard me glow about Diogu who is as skilled as they get in terms of big men. The only possible knocks on him are his size, but I dont see it as a problem at all. He's not the next Kenyon, but he's also more skilled, and inherently a better and smarter rebounder.
The only problem I see with this is that both may (likely) become starter material. Where do you find the minutes for both to work effectively?
2) If the Nets draft a PG and a PF, then it would need to be a PG with the higher pick and a PF with the lower pick (15) because you can't wait until the 15th pick for a PG... there will be none left.
I believe either Raymond Felton, Deron Williams, or Jarrett Jack will be available by the 9th GSW pick, if the Nets happen to grab it. Either one will at least make great backup PG's to Kidd. I know many haven't talked about Jack, but he's a great defender, a smart (but not quite flashy) passer, and a overall good PG with good work ethic to have on your bench. He'll probably be the one that is available as he isn't looked as highly as the other two, and I'm fine with that if the Nets can get him.
Then of course, you have to draft a PF. The Nets would have Johan Petro, Taft, Diogu, Hakim Warrick, Charlie Villanueva, and Sean May on the table to pick from. Petro is a project, Taft and Charlie have head issues, and why draft May, when you can draft Diogu who is leaner, stronger, and more skilled?
So with this plan the Nets would get Jarrett Jack and Ike Diogu, two good picks and pieces that could fit very well into the Nets immediate and future plans. The only problem I see with this, is that you're giving up drafting a sexier prospect in Splitter who looks to have one of the best futures and upsides of the draft's bigmen.
