New Jersey Nets 2007 Draft Preview

Jefferson or Carter may be playing in a new city in 2007-08, as the Nets may look to change things up. In 2006-07, New Jersey finished 41-41 and earned a playoff berth in the East. The Nets knocked out the Atlantic Division champion Toronto Raptors in six games in the first round of the playoffs, but fell in six to Cleveland in the semis.

Carter averaged a team-high 25.2 points per game during the regular season, while Kidd, who posted 13.0 points per game, led New Jersey in rebounds (8.2 rpg) and assists (9.2 apg). Jefferson collected 16.3 points, 4.4 boards and 2.7 assists in 55 games.

Center Nenad Krstic missed 56 games this past season because of a serious knee injury. He registered 16.4 points and 6.8 boards in the 26 contests he played in.

The Nets will look to Josh Boone, Marcus Williams and Antoine Wright to play more minutes in 2007-08, while big men Mikki Moore and Bostjan Nachbar were pleasant surprises this past season.

New Jersey owns the 17th pick in this year’s draft and may simply go with the best available player. Derrick Byars of Vanderbilt, Eastern Washington’s Rodney Stuckey and Nick Young of USC would all be solid additions if the Nets are able to select one of them. Going with a foreign player who is more of a project is also a strong possiblity.

Key Player(s): Josh Boone (Forward), Vince Carter (Forward/Guard), Jason Collins (Center/Forward), Richard Jefferson (Forward), Jason Kidd (Guard), Nenad Krstic (Center), Mikki Moore (Center), Bostjan Nachbar (Forward), Marcus Williams (Guard), Antoine Wright (Forward).

Team Needs: Low-post scoring, rebounding and an outside shooter who can drain the three.

Draft picks: 1st round (17th overall).