Are the New Jersey Nets tanking?

The New Jersey Nets were contenders for many years in the NBA. In 2001, they signed Jason Kidd and they went from cellar dwellers to the NBA Finals and twice. Richard Jefferson emerged as a star and the Nets dominated a weak Eastern Conference. In 2004, their Finals streak was stopped by the Pistons, so the Nets traded for Vince Carter. With Carter, they ran into roadblocks in Miami and Cleveland.

By 2008, Jason Kidd was aging, he wanted to contend. Preferrably, he wanted to contend with the Nets. Richard Jefferson even stated that he would not mind being traded to make this happen. But, February 2008 was a lot like this February in the NBA. First, Shaq was traded to Phoenix and then the Lakers traded for Pau Gasol. To keep things fresh, the Nets traded Jason Kidd to his original team, the Dallas Mavericks. The trade for Kidd did little to help the Mavericks and Devin Harris was given the reigns to a team on the decline.

After Jason Kidd left, the Nets missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years. Following the 2008 season, the Nets traded Richard Jefferson to the Bucks for Yi. The next season was held together by the heroics of Vince Carter, but he was traded to the Magic at the end of the 2009 season. So far, this season has seen the Cleveland Cavaliers dominate and the Nets fall to pieces. They drafted Terrence Williams in hopes that he would become the new franchise player. So far, he has proven that he is better off as a role player. But, the college ranks are looking better and better, DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall could possibly enter the NBA Draft this year and with the Nets record, they could end up drafting one of these players.

As bad as the Nets have played, they have no chance at landing LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, or Chris Bosh. James plays for a title contending team, so he is likely to stay. Wade plays in Miami and they have promised him that they will deliver him a sidekick. Chris Bosh is finally coming into his own in Toronto and his Raptors squad could finally begin to make noise from this point forward. The chances of these players leaving are high, but leaving for New Jersey is unlikely. But, surely the Nets are better than their 4-48 record shows them to be.