New Jersey Nets: 2009 NBA Draft

Raphielle Johnson — Fri, 08 May 2009 08:21:52 -0700

2009 NBA DRAFT: NBA Team Needs/Capsules - NBA Mock Draft - Top 100 Prospects

- We’ll update our Team Capsules with more specific info once the lottery is complete.

New Jersey Nets

2008-09 Record: 34-48 (3^rd Atlantic, 11^th in the East)

Draft Pick: 11^th (projected)

Key Free Agents:

None

How they got here and what they need:

The offseason trade of Richard Jefferson essentially meant that the Nets were in for a lean 2008-09 season. Unfortunately for Rod Thorn, Lawrence Frank and co. Yi Jianlian missed most of the season due to injury. As a positive they should be more than sure about their point guard and center of the future, with Devin Harris and Brook Lopez having solid campaigns. Harris could be right there with Chicago’s Derrick Rose and Boston’s Rajon Rondo when it comes to deciding who runs the show for the Eastern Conference for many All-Star Games to come.

At this point in his career Vince Carter has become a guy that many observers deem an outstanding talent…when he wants to play. Do the Nets try to move him in the offseason and go with a complete youth movement? The Jarvis Hayes experiment didn’t work out, and with him being a free agent (unrestricted; team option) New Jersey needs to find a suitable two-guard with the 11^th pick. After much deliberation, Lawrence Frank will return as head coach next season.

Who they’ll take:

Some mocks have the Nets selecting North Carolina’sTy Lawson ; do they really need another point guard with Harris on the roster? Look for New Jersey to take a long look at guards/swingmen such as USC’s DeMar DeRozan , Duke’s Gerald Henderson and Louisville’s Terrence Williams. Derozan has the most upside of the three but the ability to put the ball in the basket a variety of ways will determine whose name gets called.

Draft History (since 2000)

2000: Kenyon Martin (1^st), Soumaila Samake (36^th)

2001: Eddie Griffin (7^th), Brian Scalabrine (35^th)

2002: Nenad Krstic (24^th), Tamar Slay (54^th)

2003: Zoran Planinic (22^nd), Kyle Korver (51^st)

2004: Christina Drejer (52^nd)

2005: Antoine Wright (15^th), Mile Ilic (43^rd)

2006: Marcus Williams (22^nd), Josh Boone (23^rd), Hassan Adams (54^th)

2007: Sean Williams (17^th)

2008: Brook Lopez (10^th), Ryan Anderson (21^st), Chris Douglas-Roberts (40^th)

2009 NBA DRAFT: NBA Team Needs/Capsules - NBA Mock Draft - Top 100 Prospects

Top Prospects

Stephen Curry - PG/SG - Davidson

Tyreke Evans - PG/SG - Memphis

Blake Griffin - PF - Oklahoma

James Harden - SG - Arizona State

Jordan Hill - PF - Arizona

Ty Lawson - PG - UNC

BJ Mullens - C - Ohio State

Ricky Rubio - PG - DKV Joventut

Brandon Jennings - PG - Arizona

Hasheem Thabeet - C - UCONN

new jersey nets

New Jersey Nets: 2009 NBA Draft