The Nets Will Only Go As Far As Brook Lopez Allows Them To

Some may think it's Deron Williams, others Joe Johnson. But the truth is that Brook Lopez is the true key to the Nets' success as a team.

The Nets front office spent much of this offseason trying to trade for Dwight Howard, someone who had never been on the Nets and probably never will be. General Manager Billy King made it very clear throughout last season and the summer that his team was in full pursuit of the Orlando Magic center, and at some points came ridiculously close to actually pulling a deal off. However, regardless of the close calls that occurred in the entire Dwightmare scenario, no trade was ever made. We know how that story ended up: Brook Lopez was extended, the Nets solidified their starting lineup with Joe Johnson, and Howard was dealt to the Lakers in a four-team trade that didn't give the Magic much value in return.

Heading into a new state, city, arena, and identity, the Nets had to rebound quickly from their failed pursuit of Howard in order to get ready for beginning of the NBA season a few months away. One player--even though he was the key part of the Nets' potential return for Howard--was nearly completely neglected by the team's front office and fans. That would, of course, be Brook Lopez. The entire summer, and much of last season, Lopez had to hear his name swirled in trade talks with the Magic, leaving him without much confidence in the franchise that was still signing his paychecks. At least I know I wouldn't have any faith in a team basically admitting that I wasn't good enough for them as they attempted to trade me for someone to directly fill my spot on the team.

Ironically, as much as Brook was talked about off-court in the trade discussions, his on-court abilities were forgotten. He may be an awful rebounder and shaky defender for a man of his size, but Brook is certainly a dynamite scorer who is almost impossible for any other defender to stop when the Stanford grad is at the top of his game. Sure, people agreed that he was important to the Nets but these same people also seemed to undervalue his importance to the success of this team. Basically all contending teams have a really good center (at the least, power forward), and Brook is that guy for the Nets.

Nets and Andray Blatche Agree to One-Year Minimum, Non-Guaranteed Deal

According to Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears, the Nets and Andray Blatche, a player that has been linked to the team for a few days now, have agreed in principle to a 1-year deal. The contract, which isn't guaranteed and is for the veteran's minimum, is nothing more than an invitation to training camp meaning that the signing doesn't make the Nets commit to anything with Blatche; if he plays well during camp and the preseason, then he'll stick with the team. If not, he'll be cut and the Nets won't be on the hook for major money owed to the veteran forward.

As I wrote on Monday night, Blatche is a nice, low-risk medium-reward replacement for Donte Green. Since it appears that the injury he suffered a few weeks back is more serious than previously believed, it looks like his deal with the Nets will probably not get done. Blatche is an apt-enough back-up 4 for Kris Humphries and Brook Lopez to rely on when they exit the game. While he may not have the best work ethic and/or drive, the former Wizard is really athletic and can score and rebound very well, as he was a starter for a few seasons in the nation's capital.

Recapping the Nets' Offseason, A Very Big One Indeed

Brooklyn's brand new backcourt. Watch out Eastern Conference, this duo means business.

So, I'm back. I returned from sleepaway camp two days ago and I'm slowly catching up and coming to grips with everything that has happened regarding the Nets' roster over the past eight or so weeks. Let's review each Nets' transaction (or non-transaction, you'll see what I mean) going back to Draft Night, which fell on June 27th this year:

Portland Trailblazers trade the 41st overall pick in 2012 Draft (G Tyshawn Taylor) to Nets for cash considerations
Entering this year's draft, the Nets only had one pick, the 57th overall pick in the 2nd-round. I guess Billy King liked Taylor, a point guard from the University of Kansas, so much that he didn't want to wait for him at 57 and instead used some of Mikhail Prokhorov's extra cash to nab Taylor with pick 41. Tyshawn, a Hoboken, NJ native, figures to be a part-time player for this year's Nets team who will share back-up PG duties with recent signee C.J. Watson.

Philadelphia 76ers trade the 54th overall pick in 2012 Draft (F Tornike Shengalia) to Nets for cash considerations
I don't follow European/foreign basketball very much so I have no first-hand experience in watching any of the Nets foreign acquisitions play but according to some scouting reports, Shengalia is a physical rebounding/defense type who won't be an offensive superstar but has some decent moves down in the post. His 6'9" frame is better suited for the 4 than the 3 as one of his major weaknesses is lack of a reliable jumper. My best guess is that he's a project who figures to not make much of an effect in the meantime.

Where the Dwight Howard Situation Stands Regarding the Nets

I can't wait for the Dwight situation to reach a resolution, the suspense is killing me

If you're a Nets fan that watches a lot of NBA coverage on TV and reads up on the recent happenings and rumors about the Association, then you are probably very excited or nervous about the Dwight Howard situation right now. As of right now, Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith has kept his stance of not trading the star center and according to what he has told the media, Smith thinks that Dwight will end up re-signing with the Magic this offseason. As a result, he says that he has no plans to trade him.

This current development leaves the Nets in a very tough place regarding their pursuit of Howard. GM Billy King can go the route of upping the team's potential trade offer to Orlando by adding draft picks or young players (unfortunately for Nets fans, MarShon Brooks would fit this category) to the deal. By going this direction, the Nets would most likely trade for Dwight around the March 15th deadline but would probably lose Brook Lopez, Marshon, Morrow, Humphries, and possibly a first-round pick or two in the process. However, he will have reached his desired destination of New Jersey and will most likely sign a long-term extension with the Nets. That means that he and Deron Williams, serving as superstar anchors, would lead the Nets into Brooklyn with one of the Eastern Conference's most intimidating teams.

Of course, the positives of the Nets giving up the farm for Howard would be that Dwight and Deron would be safely with the Nets for the foreseeable future instead of teaming up with another franchise. Billy King will have realized his goal of building a super-team and will have turned this franchise into a playoff contender and possible championship team. However, with the in-season trade for Howard, there are certainly downsides when compared to waiting for free agency to sign Dwight.