New Jersey Nets

Like several other NBA teams, the Nets have been stuck in neutral for years, clearing salary in the hopes of signing one of next summer's free agents. But New Jersey's future was even more uncertain, as a planned new arena in Brooklyn got stuck in development limbo, slowed by the poor economy and opposition from neighborhood groups. After a massive infusion of cash from new ownership, the Nets' future looks bright -- for the first time in years.

2008-09 Recap

Record: 34-48 (.415)

• Fourth in Atlantic Division
• Eleventh in Eastern Conference

What Went Right: Guard Devin Harris blossomed in his first full year in New Jersey, showing himself to be very well-suited to Lawrence Frank's offense. And tenth-overall draft pick Brook Lopez looked like a steal, winning the starting job early on and leading all rookies in blocks and field-goal percentage while finishing second in rebounds and scoring 13 points per game.

What Went Wrong: Harris' durability continued to be a concern; he was limited to 69 games due to a variety of injuries. Yi Jianlian, acquired in the deal that sent Richard Jefferson to the Bucks, was a total bust. Injuries limited him to just 19 games, and he wasn't particularly effective when healthy.

Offseason Moves

Key Additions: Terrence Williams (draft), Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie (trade - Magic)
Key Subtractions: Vince Carter (trade - Magic)

The Carter trade took a large salary off the books, but didn't bring back a lot of talent in return. Courtney Lee could wind up replacing Carter in the starting lineup, but he'll have to hold off a challenge from second-year pro Chris Douglas-Roberts. Alston probably starts the season third on the depth chart at point guard, and Battie third at center and power forward. (Alston is a prime candidate to be traded again, though the Nets might prefer to let his contract expire.)

Terrence Williams is an intriguing prospect -- a do-everything forward who doesn't need the ball to be effective. But he'll have to beat out veterans Bobby Simmons and Jarvis Hayes to get regular playing time, and he struggled with his shot in summer-league play and training camp.

2009-10 Outlook

As with their cross-river rivals at Madison Square Garden, the Net roster is full of expiring contracts. Simmons, Battie, Alston, Hayes and Trenton Hassell all come off the books after the season, and the team could opt to part ways with Yi, Lee, Douglas-Roberts, Josh Boone, and Sean Williams as well. That leaves a team with a whole lot of guys playing for their next contracts -- which might not be conducive to team play.

One of the Nets' wing players will have to step up this season and become a consistent scoring threat to replace Carter's production -- Lee, Douglas-Roberts or some combination of the two are possibilities -- for the team to have a prayer of staying out of the Atlantic Division basement.

The team will likely have a very different look in 2010 and beyond, as the new ownership -- led by a billionaire described as "the Russian Mark Cuban" takes over and puts his stamp on the organization.

Fantasy Notes

Lopez is already a top-ten fantasy center, and would rank higher if we didn't include power forwards who qualify as pivots in our rankings. The Nets run a version of the dribble-drive offense used by John Calipari at Memphis, which is very fantasy-friendly for guards -- so whoever wins the starting job alongside Harris should put up good numbers. Douglas-Roberts played for Calipari at Memphis, and may have the inside track -- CDR is a real sleeper this season.

Harris will go early in most drafts after last year's success, but will he be as productive when opposing defenses don't need to worry about Carter?