Even before the rumors surfaced this weekend, the Nets were having second thoughts about their 2010 summer strategy. A source close to the Nets’ thinking told me that they are concerned that if they don’t land LeBron or Bosh, they may be stuck in the same situation the Pistons were in last summer -- with no elite free agents on the market, the Pistons were forced to overpay role players to fill out their roster.

“Because of our record we are going to be forced to overspend on guys like David Lee and Rudy Gay and perhaps Boozer if you can’t land LBJ,” the source told ESPN. “I don’t want to be like Detroit and spend just to spend.”

That position has prompted the Nets to begin looking at other possibilities, including using their expiring contracts at the trade deadline to bring back players that can help their team now.

The same source said that the Nets might be willing to move Devin Harris, along with an expiring contract or two, if they could land an All-Star and another young asset. The source said Brook Lopez was the only untouchable on the team.

The thinking is that if the Nets can land two good players now, that might be better than having to overpay to good players this summer out of desperation.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/12216/how-early-bosh-move-would-change-scenarios

The source could have easily mentioned Boozer. Overpaying to keep David would not be a smart move.

UPDATE: 4/1/10

ESPN VIDEO: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5042730

May try to exploit our Lebron hunt.

- A strong offer will give the Nets a nice front court
- If we match an offer we wont have enough space for Lebron and say Joe Johnson/Bosh

sebstar wrote:He's basically saying that Lee is a last resort if all their other more desirable options fall through. He said that's not what they want to do and they will do everything possible to avoid being stuck with "overpaying" a David Lee. They're not targeting him, they're using him as an example of what happens when the market begins to thin...

Who are the top free agent PF's this summer?

Amare, Bosh, Boozer and Lee. 2 of the 4 are max players that will likely be traded or resigned. David Lee is going to get paid.

TMS wrote:anyone still think Lee's gonna give us a hometown discount to keep him?

I think so...Lee strikes me as the type of cat that would rather make 8-9 mill to play in the Garden with Lebron, or whomever, rather than get 10-11 million to play for Milwaukee.

sebstar wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:

sebstar wrote:He's basically saying that Lee is a last resort if all their other more desirable options fall through. He said that's not what they want to do and they will do everything possible to avoid being stuck with "overpaying" a David Lee. They're not targeting him, they're using him as an example of what happens when the market begins to thin...

Who are the top free agent PF's this summer?

Amare, Bosh, Boozer and Lee. 2 of the 4 are max players that will likely be traded or resigned. David Lee is going to get paid.

Eh...he didnt get a sniff of attention this past offseason.

He will get paid, but I dont think anybody is really targeting him. He will be a decent consolation prize to a team that loses out on their top choices.

I don't understand that logic. He was a Restricted Free agent the summer before 2010. Teams didn't have cap space last summer but they do this year.

AnubisADL wrote:

kam77 wrote:What is your point?

My point is what does David Lee's "family" have to do with the money in his pocket. Some people like to have their own money. You honestly believe David Lee cares if he plays in NYC or Newark? I think David Lee enjoys living in NYC just like Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson.

I will admit he might take less to play with Lebron/Wade but I doubt he is taking less to play with the likes of Joe Johnson/Rudy Gay especially if the next door Nets are willing to overpay..

But you didn't make a point. OK so DLee might get an offer he can't refuse. This isn't the first mention of Lee and the Nets. This is not news and you're not really saying what you would do to keep Lee or trade him or what.