Been a while. Here’s the latest news and notes from around the ‘Nets:
- The Brooklyn Nets, as you might have heard, lack a general manager, a head coach, draft picks, and a general sense of direction. But it looks like they’re making real progress on the first one. A few candidates are widely known — Gersson Rosas, Artūras Karnišovas, Bryan Colangelo, Danny Ferry — but NetsDaily reports an estimate of about 20 interviewees, with half of them serious candidates.
- Per a series of tweets from Howard Beck of Bleacher Report, the Nets have no interest in trading Thaddeus Young or Brook Lopez, despite recent rumors that other teams have targeted Young.
A note on Nets GM search: Prokhorov, I'm told, has made clear he is absolutely opposed to a roster teardown. He wants to keep Lopez/Young.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) February 10, 2016
Rather than rebuild, Prokhorov is convinced Nets can keep Lopez/Young, sign free agents in July and quickly get back in playoff chase.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) February 10, 2016
I'll add this, re Nets: Most GMs/scouts I've surveyed in recent weeks have agreed: Best bet is auction off Lopez/Young and restock w/youth.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) February 10, 2016
Prokhorov seems to be following same playbook he's had since he arrived: Spend your way to success, focus on the now instead of long term.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) February 10, 2016
Needless to say, I'm skeptical that playbook has any chance of working. But maybe Nets get lucky in free agency this summer.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) February 10, 2016
Nets interviewing multiple GM candidates this week; could make hire by the end of All-Star break. With just days left before trade deadline.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) February 10, 2016
- A general manager isn’t the only thing new: the Nets finally wrapped up their last official practice at their old facility in East Rutherford Tuesday. Following the All-Star Break, the team will splash down in their fancy new digs in Industry City, Brooklyn. Here’s a good retrospective of the old building.
- Chris McCullough on his first time checking into an NBA game: ““‘Oh snap, he’s calling me early.’ I didn’t know I was going to get in that early.”
- Close on a note about Markel Brown’s last two games: 34 points, 11-15 FG, 5-7 3PT, 7-8 FT in 44 minutes.
