Brooklyn Nets want to get under the tax by 2016, could trade several players
The Brooklyn Nets have been spending like mad in recent years and they still have three mega-contracts on the books – the deals of swingman Joe Johnson, center Brook Lopez and point guard Deron Williams. Now that the Nets have proven they are not a contender (and lost several key free agents in point guard Shaun Livingston, swingman Paul Pierce and big man Andray Blatche), they may decide to start dealing off players.
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Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors points out the Nets want to get under the tax by 2016.
"Prokhorov reportedly wants to get out of the tax by 2015/16. and that’ll be a tall order. Trading one of those guys would certainly help, and there have been a few reports in recent months that suggest the team would be open to dealing Deron Williams. But finding takers will be the key. Who wants Joe Johnson’s bloated deal, D-Will underperforming on five-year max deal that he’s only two seasons into, and a banged-up Brook Lopez? The biggest problem Prokhorov might face is that there isn’t another owner out there who shares the willingness he had to take on these huge deals. That is unless Steve Ballmer intends to spend like mad."
Prokhorov has been viewed as the owner to take on monster contracts as evidenced when the Nets traded for Johnson and then dealt for Pierce, big man Kevin Garnett and guard Jason Terry last season, sending assets back to the Boston Celtics.
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