NBA ROCK

Now that Jason Kidd has departed from New Jersey, can anyone really expect the Nets to make a serious push in the playoffs this year? Like I mentioned earlier, this is a long-term trade for the Nets. We aren’t going to see the Nets make any big pushes till they get a few more key acquisitions and/or their current potential develops (i. e. Devin Harris). This brings me to my point: Vince Carter. Vince Carter isn’t as young as he used to be, at 31 years of age, and he’s going to be hungry for a ring before his career is over (granted that he isn’t already). Is it possible that Carter is going to be the next Net to request a trade out of New Jersey? I wouldn’t put it past him. Especially since there may be something brewing as we speak. Here’s the jist of the rumor:

Miami gets:

• Eddy Curry

Nets get:

• Jason Williams
• Ricky Davis

Knicks get:

• Vince Carter

Now this is a trade, people. This is a sweet trade, albeit a rumored trade. The Nets will get Jason Williams and Ricky Davis, who both have expiring contracts. This means the Nets are going to have some extra money to spend after their contracts expire, and the Nets will be hitting the free agent market hard to find the future of their franchise.

The Knicks, already way over the salary cap, would be getting Vince Carter. My question is: how will Carter fit into the Knicks’ lineup and budget? My best guess is that he’d slide in at the 3-spot and Richardson would hit the bench, which would give you:

• PG: Marbury
• SG: Crawford
• SF: Carter
• PF: Randolph
• C: Morris

Maybe this would give the Knicks a little boost since the Curry + Randolph combo wasn’t working out for them. Personally, I think they need to flat-out rebuild, especially given their current financial situation.

The Miami-end of this potential deal is my favorite. It’s my favorite because they’d be getting Eddy Curry, who (hopefully for the Heat) would make an acceptable Shaq replacement. It’s also the Miami Heat style to have a dominant guy playing the center position.

I’m pulling for this one, folks.

Anyone else heard this rumor? It has to be a joke because it’s funny and I’m laughing. I mean, sure the Bulls are in a rut this season — but what’s wrong with Ben Wallace at the 5-spot??? What about the Kings? Well, they could slide Ben Gordon in at the 2-spot over there, but then there’s that one guy with TONS of potential who’s leading the Kings at 23.3 PPG with an incredibly funky jump shot…what was his name? Oh, right! Kevin Martin. As much as I love Ben Gordon I don’t see him overthrowing Kevin Martin at the 2-spot over in Sacramento. By the numbers Martin is more productive — not to mention about 5 inches taller. But I digress, we’re talking about the ridiculous rumor of Ben Gordon for Brad Miller. By the numbers it’s not the worst trade by any means:

Ben Gordon 07-08 / Brad Miller 07-08

• PPG: 20.0 / 14.4
• RPG: 3.40 / 9.7
• APG: 2.8 / 3.6
• SPG: 0.8 / 1.0
• BPG: 0.1 / 1.0
• FG%: 42.4 / 46.3
• FT%: 92.4 / 85.0
• 3P%: 39.3 / 30.8

I admit, Miller’s numbers are impressive for a big man while Gordon’s numbers are equally as impressive for a little man — but this trade just wouldn’t work on either end.