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**schub** · 07-29-2004, 09:57 PM

More likely now that Kittles was dumped for nothing in return:

Quote:

If the Nets obtain Mercer and use part of the midlevel exception, they will have whatever is left to try to lure a starting power forward, with Cleveland's Eric Williams a likely prospect. A starting power forward is a priority with only the rookie Nenad Krstic, Aaron Williams and Brian Scalabrine on the roster. Eric Williams, who is 6 feet 8 inches, has swung from power forward to small forward and even shooting guard, and he has a reputation as a defensive stopper. He is an unrestricted free agent and has had queries from other teams in the midlevel range, a number that it will likely take to acquire him.

"We're talking," Mark Bartelstein, Williams's agent, said. "We're having conversations, and there is a lot of interest on both sides. He's from New Jersey, and it's always been a dream to play for the Nets."

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/30/sp...ll/30nets.html

I know he's also talking to the Heat, which seems like a much more desirable situation at this point.

**schub** · 07-31-2004, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Additionally, the Nets are expected to announce the signings of forward Eric Williams (multi-years starting at $3.8 million) and guard Ron Mercer (two years for $3.6 million) early next week. The two free agents could be starters for the Nets next season.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets/25901.htm

So maybe Williams has chosen the Nets? Taking into account the lack of credibility that the organization has at this point, I'll believe it when I see it.

Charlie Brown · 07-31-2004, 06:44 AM

I'm trying to view all of this with a positive perpective.

I loved Kerry Kittles as a player, he was one of my favorite Nets for a long time, but I understand his salary was extremely high for this comming season. If the move was to replace Kittles at 9.8m, with Williams at 3.8...I view that as a good move. Williams is locked into a decent contract for multiple years.

MightyReds2020 · 07-31-2004, 08:48 AM

Another positive spin is these moves (Traded Kittles, signed Eric Williams) clear up the chance for RJ to start, fulltime, at SG. At least that's what I hope. I certainly don't want to see Ron Mercer starts.

**schub** · 07-31-2004, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by <b>MightyReds2020</b>!
Another positive spin is these moves (Traded Kittles, signed Eric Williams) clear up the chance for RJ to start, fulltime, at SG. At least that's what I hope. I certainly don't want to see Ron Mercer starts.

Yeah, I definitely prefer
Kidd, RJ, EWilliams, Griffin/Krstic/Train, Collins
to
Kidd, Mercer, RJ, Griffin/Krstic/Train, Collins

**schub** · 08-02-2004, 04:38 AM

From The Bergen Record:

Quote:

All signs are pointing at Eric Williams and Ron Mercer, but Thorn said no deal is imminent for either.

...

Thorn also didn't talk to Mercer's or Williams' representatives over the weekend.

Multiyear offers were extended to each player last week, but no agreement was reached. It's likely Mercer will be signed this week. The Nets are competing with Boston and Miami for Williams.

So maybe they're not so close to getting Williams after all.

ToddMacCulloch11 · 08-02-2004, 09:25 AM

If we can get williams and a healthy Griffin...I don't think I'd be as upset with this offseason. I don't think a line up of Kidd/Jefferson/Williams/Griffin/Collins (Or kristic) would be as good as the lineup of the past few years...but it would be a lot better then what we have right now, and give us a young team with a lot of hope for the future with the draft picks and a few young players with a real lot of potential.

As far as mercer goes...as long as he can keep himself in line and not be a locker room problem, I wouldn't mind having him as a player off the bench. Thats a big if though.

**Sánchez AF** · 08-02-2004, 09:41 AM

Eric could be a nice pick but the main problem is a get a problem is get a PF

HeinzGuderian · 08-02-2004, 01:59 PM

Eric would be great for the team, because he is a decent player but most of all a great leader who could help all of those draft picks the Nets traded for.

LesterLazlo · 08-02-2004, 06:56 PM

If Nets lose the opportunity to sign Eric Williams because Mercer is demanding more than the LLE (or if it is another tragic mistake by Nets Mgmt), I am not going to be happy.

**schub** · 08-05-2004, 12:23 PM

Nets add forward Williams to mix

Quote:

Free agent forward Eric Williams has agreed to a three-year, $12 million contract to join the New Jersey Nets, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, told ESPN Insider's Chad Ford on Thursday.

**jmk** · 08-05-2004, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by <b>schub</b>!
Nets add forward Williams to mix

Compared to some of the other free agent overspendings this offseason, this is a good value deal.

**schub** · 08-05-2004, 12:28 PM

Well, it's the first good news of the summer, unless you're a big Rodney Buford fan.

So maybe RJ is the starting 2 now? Still a big hole at the 4. Thorn's comments about Veal make me believe that he could be the starter, which would be real bad rebounding-wise.

MightyReds2020 · 08-05-2004, 02:53 PM

From reports I read, seems like Eric Williams will swing between 3 and 4 depending on matchups. Given the lack of top, pure PFs from the East, I think we could see Williams starts a lot at the 4.

ToddMacCulloch11 · 08-05-2004, 05:05 PM

I'm glad we signed him...he's no offensive powerhouse, but if he can run the floor, he'll get some points for us. And he can provide us with some good D.

Now we need to get a legit starting PF and i'll be okay with this team.... I don't want to see Veal or Williams in the starting spot...and it would be nice to have someone just incase kristic takes a while to get used to the NBA. I'm still hoping Griffin can get his act together.

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