Kenyon Martin
[Disclaimer: Kenyon Martin is my favorite Net of all time and it’s not even really close. So I’d be fine if they had to get rid of Joe Johnson or whoever if it meant K-Mart could end his career as a Net. Sorry I’m not sorry.]
C’mon Nets. Just bring him back. It’d mean a lot to all of us. And he could actually fit a need!
There’s a bit of a logjam at power forward right now, but Kenyon could bring some stability and insurance to the situation. He’s a tough, defensive-minded power forward with serviceable offensive traits.
He can’t rebound like Reggie or shoot like Mirza or defend like Crash (when the Nets decide to roll small), but he can certainly fill in for any of these guys for a few minutes here and there. And, he’d finally force Hump out of the rotation once and for all. Not to knock Humphries at all -- the dude was a lonely bright spot on the Nets for the past few seasons -- but it’s becoming readily apparent that he’s expendable in the PJ Era. His erratic minutes of late are partly due to injuries, but the team’s success in his absence (and Mirza’s emergence during that time in particular) only pushes him farther down the bench. Not sure how many teams would be itching to take on all that money left on his contract, but you’ve got to imagine Billy King is making those calls. Kenyon’s presence would afford King and PJ even more peace of mind moving forward. And Kenyon’s extended playoff experience and dual finals appearances -- with this very team, remember! -- could only help the squad.
Also: Don’t let the Knicks sign him, thus reuniting him and Jason Kidd. Please. That wouldn’t be right. That’d just be fugazy. Nets, you’ve done so, so much to court new fans recently, please just afford us Nets lifers this one favor. It’ll only cost you the veteran’s minimum.
-Andrew Gnerre
55Paulie
January 10, 2013
Not sure of the reason for Billy King’s seeming infatuation with collecting mediocre small forwards like some people collect comic books or baseball cards – or the reason for his mantra that “you can’t have more than 5 bigs”, but here is a NewsFlash for him: Mr. Prokorov’s title contender is just one simple Brooks Lopez turned foot (think Greg Oden or Sam Bowie) and one dingbat Andray Blatche night-on-the-town away from having NO legit centers. Which is the NBA usually means NO playoff wins, unles your team features Michael, LeBron, or Kobe – which ours does not. So that 15th spot should be used to get an emergency pivot in here pronto. If Billy really needs another small forard, maybe he should try playing the young star he already has in Marshon Brooks or give Toko his shot. Love the classy Jerry Stack, but maybe it is time he took his deserved rightful spot on the coaching staff in PJ’s old seat, and let the young future Nets take care of putting the ball in the basket.
brooklynballers
January 10, 2013
I think that K-Mart would be a very good choice to sign. Like you said he would be very low risk. He would bring a toughness that Nets would like to have. He would supplement Reggie Evans as a tough rebounder off the bench. He would also bring an offensive presence that Reggie couldn’t. He would be very edgy. I also think that leaving open would be good. If we trade Kris Humphries since of the depth at PF it would be good to take someone else for the contract.
saintvitusdance
January 10, 2013
Our weaknesses are at the extremes. We have no big 5′s after Lopez and I hear you about Harrelson. At the other end we have no small, hyperquick 1′s. We have not been able to deal with the Bucks backcourt, or other similar players. Who’s available like that?
bknalltheway
January 10, 2013
We have TYSHAWN TAYLOR BUT WE DECIDE NOT TO PLAY HIM!
joshsperber
January 11, 2013
If the Nets don’t use fill the 15th spot, they should increase the minutes of their rookies. I would love to see Mirza & Tyshawn get some more minutes. If they pick up one of these guys, it should be Sam Young without a doubt.