Nets season on the rocks

Updated: January 17, 2005, 3:33 PM ET
By Chad Ford | ESPN Insider

The Bad

New Jersey Nets: Last week, the Nets were having a hard enough time finding a power forward to push the team back into contention in the East. Now, with Richard Jefferson out for the season, the team has to add a starting small forward to the mix.

It could get ugly. The Nets really have no assets to trade, so they're trying to use two trade exceptions they own (a $10 million and a $5 million) to land two quality starters. They've had their eye on Cliff Robinson and Jimmy Jackson, but it looks like neither the Warriors nor the Hornets are willing to make a trade without the Nets giving up picks in return.

Jason Kidd
Kidd

Jason Kidd is telling the media that the Nets' latest setback won't cause him to ask for another trade. But why wouldn't the Nets, for once, take the reins and try to make something happen – with or without Kidd's blessing?

Face it, the Nets' season is basically over. They weren't playing great even when Jefferson was healthy. The team has Jefferson, Vince Carter and Jason Collins locked up long term, and they love the upside of rookie Nenad Krstic.

Robinson and Jackson aren't going to push this team over the top. Giving away picks or taking back long term salary makes little sense.

Forget what Kidd wants. Why isn't Rod Thorn pushing to make a Kidd trade happen?


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Chad Ford | email

Senior Writer, NBA Insider
  • Senior NBA Writer for ESPN.com
  • ESPN Insider NBA Draft Analyst since 2002
  • Writes ESPN's NBA Draft Top 100 and Lottery Mock Draft

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