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Exactly What We Needed

Months ago in the aftermath of the deadline blockbuster - the feeling in the Nets war room wasn't just the excitement around bringing in two star players but surprisingly, it wasn't about missing Demarcus Cousins as much as everybody suspected. You only have to look a little bit lower on the Nets' franchise top 10 scorers list to find Khris Middleton's name - and he was the guy that fans watched blossom in front of their eyes, always show up to work, always leave it on the floor, and go through hell trying to back onto the floor last season to play in front of this Brooklyn crowd. He was the difficult one to lose - and he's hopefully the one that makes all of the other pieces fit.

When the Cousins deal was initially being negociated - the Nets really wanted to pair DeRozan and Love with Jordan, Bledsoe and Middleton. However, to let go of those two, Magic GM Javi was unwilling to budge on his interest in bringing in one of the best 3&D guys in the league. Over the coming months, Dragic would go on a tear, looking great at both guard spots and Tony Snell stepped up in numerous ways as a 3&D kind of guy on his own. Just enough to catch Javi's eye.

This second deal, executed only minutes after players could be traded back to a team that held them the previous season, was exactly what the Nets were looking for. Dragic and Bledsoe outperformed their awkward pairing and really looked like they could make it work - but the team had no ability to match up with two big wings and weak defenders at both wing spots in any matchup. They were also facing the impending paydays of both Snell and Mason Plumlee being added to their already astronomical bill. Snell was a luxury that the team couldn't afford - and one that they hope their wings who remain on cheaper contracts can fill. The team's biggest two interests, both served in one 3 player deal, while simultaneously bringing back one of the biggest fan favorites - was all the draft action that the Nets needed on a draft night where the Nets traded their 1st, sold their 2nd, and didn't even get to listen to most of the action from the night.

While the deal was perfect in many ways and agreed upon quickly - it wasn't easy to pull off. Changing dates and NLL CBA rules was a tough channel to navigate, and one that included numerous checkins with the league office to make sure they were on the right side of the law. At one point during the lead-up to the approval, there was even some speculation over whether or not the Orlando GM would be fired.

The two-deep for the team now stands at:

DeAndre Jordan/Kyle O'Quinn
Kevin Love/Mason Plumlee
Khris Middleton/James Ennis
DeMar DeRozan/Caris LeVert
Eric Bledsoe/E'Twaun Moore

The roster seems somewhat solidified for how early in the offseason we are, but things in the NLL are always subject to change. Getting a real backup point guard would be a big help - and allow Moore to slide to the wing alongside LeVert. If that can't be done, James Anderson may also supplant James Ennis in the rotation. The other issue that the team has to contend with is only having 11 players after the likely departure of Donatas Motiejunas. With at most one incoming rookie (last year's other first round pick Guerschon "Dancing Bear" Yabusele), they need to fill out some roster spots while adding minimal salary - or maybe even enter into a 3 for 1 deal as the season approaches.

Just as this article was headed to the press, the Nets and Magic agreed on a much smaller deal - which will see Ty Lawson head to Brooklyn for cash considerations. If the team can convince Ty to stick around for next season, he may be a great fit as their backup point guard. If not, we're told the size of the check wasn't of the size that the owners will really notice. It's a low risk move with a decent enough reward to make it worthwhile.

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