Trading Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson was a transparent enough attempt to clear money for a 2010 run at LeBron but by getting nothing or next to nothing back could blow up in Kiki Vandeweghe and Jay Z’s face. Pure and simple, the New Jersey Nets are a train wreck.

 

Things are so bad that it’s tough to know where to begin so we’ll start in the back court. Vince Carter (21.3, 6.0) is 31 and will be dealt before the season’s out. Ex-Wisconsin Badger Devin Harris (14.8, 5.8) has a world of potential but has proven frail throughout his brief time in Dallas. Former lottery pick Jarvis Hayes will spell Carter while the much traveled Keyon Dooling  gets time behind Harris.

 

Rookie Brook Lopez looks like he’ll start at center but will ride a lot of pine with foul trouble while he learns the ropes. Josh Boone could have had a great NBA career but like too many UConn Huskies to name, came out two years to early. Stromile Swift can take up space and add a spark on occasion.

 

The Nets might start the year with a front court of Sean Williams and Yi Ji Ji who came over in the Jefferson deal. Williams has skills with a thug mentality and will be a force in the league down the road. Yi averaged eight and five in his rookie season in Milwaukee and the magic word, potential. Eduardo Nejara is a veteran blue collar guy. Bobby Simmons is a spent shell.

 

Chris Douglas-Roberts from Memphis and Ryan Anderson from Cal are two interesting newcomers on the roster.

 

With eight players under 25 and a hodge podge of unwanted used up veterans, the Nets will struggle to be competitive. The good news is the kids will get lots of minutes. One of the preview publications put it best: Jay Z better be VERY good friends with LeBron.

 

This is the Nets final season at The Meadowlands. Twenty-seven wins is not a lot but if things get ugly early and they will, this team is more than capable of tanking the second half. Play under the total.