A lot of teams want to have cap room in the summer of 2010, because that's when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and various other blue-chip players are eligible to taste unrestricted free agency. Contract extensions and opt-outs will prevent many of these players from playing the market, but at the moment the list could theoretically include Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Rip Hamilton, Kobe Bryant, Amare Stoudemire, Manu Ginobili, Carlos Boozer, Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, and others.
What will the best of those players be looking for? My best guesses would be cap room, the chance to play for a championship (which means high-quality teammates at the ready), and a special situation.
The Nets have plenty of rebuilding to do, certainly. And there are the big contracts of Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson to address (one would have to be moved to get New Jersey far under the cap that summer). But getting Devin Harris would certainly seem to add to the Nets' allure:
- A long and athletic point guard in his prime, who is noted for efficient scoring and tough defense.
- A variety of bigs like Sean Williams, Josh Boone, and DeSagana Diop.
- Co-owner Jay-Z (who is hosting an event with LeBron James this weekend in New Orleans).
- A franchise due to be reborn in Brooklyn -- where millions of sports fans have been waiting for something to get excited about since the Dodgers left.
- Plenty of shots for a primary scorer.
It's still more than two years away. But I'd bet my eye teeth Rod Thorn has been thinking a lot about the summer of 2010, because his team is setting up nicely for that summer.
