The Nets aren't without talent (Brook Lopez and Devin Harris) and they are also not without potential talent (Derrick Favors), but the rest of their roster is comprised of players that belong on the backend of team's rotations. When you get beyond those initial three, the drop-off is severe, which is problematic for a team that is over 20 games under .500 before the All-Star break. If we were to rank players four through 14 across the NBA, the Nets are easily in the bottom third.

Between 2003 and 2007, the Nets drafted Zoran Planinic, Antoine Wright, Marcus Williams, Josh Boone and Sean Williams. These were all picks in the second half of the draft, but a better success rate is critical for building a team to support your core players. They capitalized on Lopez's unjustified fall, but selecting Terrence Williams at 11 instead of one of the talented point guards available because they already had Devin Harris was short-sighted. The Nets were wise in the following year to disregard positional need and draft Favors instead of someone less talented like Wesley Johnson, though I believed DeMarcus Cousins was the superior prospect at the time.

With their talent deficiency as a backdrop, the Nets must look at upgrading the overall talent pool by any means necessary. There is no player on the roster that should be considered untouchable, as trading Lopez, Harris or Favors could completely reshape the trajectory of the team. If any of those three players were capable of being top-15 players talents in the entire NBA, then of course they would be off the table, but I don't think you can perceive any of them in that way based on what we've seen this season.

Lopez and Favors play a position where there is a dearth of talent, and they are far younger than Harris so it is transparent where their deadline efforts should be placed.

Without being more redundant, the Nets shouldn't worry too much about fit and just collect assets, but they aren't without strengths. Avery Johnson has the Nets playing better team defense, rotating and challenging shooters consistently and also preventing ISO scorers as well as their talent allows. Their defense in transition, as well as in the halfcourt against post scorers and the pick and roll leaves much to be desired.

They remain offensively challenged, which shouldn't be a surprise, though Harris is still a good pick and roll option and Lopez can score efficiently in the post. Watching New Jersey play for five minutes, it is obvious how badly they need a playmaker on the wing that can create offense on his own and spread the floor for Lopez and Favors.

Desperation Meter: The Nets are in an uncomfortable situation because they need to change the league-wide perception of the franchise to get into Brooklyn with some real positive momentum. They can probably turn Favors into a legitimate wing player like Danny Granger or Andre Iguodala and sneak into the 2012 Playoffs, but it is more than likely to end abruptly and unspectacularly.

I would prefer the long con if I'm Mikhail Prokhorov because the Nets have the capacity to turn Lopez and Favors into a middle class man's version of Gasol and Bynum. Since Carmelo Anthony isn't coming, the quest for a superstar wing won't come in one fell swoop and will require multiple chess moves from Billy King, as well as a little luck. Dealing Harris would be a productive first step.

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