With the free-agent additions of swingman Aaron McKie and forward Robert “Tractor” Traylor (above) expected soon, the Nets underwent a summer makeover after winning 42 games but being swept in the playoffs by Miami. While enthusiasm is tempered, coach Lawrence Frank yesterday said he’s pleased with the summer alterations.
“We definitely have addressed some needs,” Frank said at a Nets’ free basketball clinic for youngsters from three charitable organizations. “We’re definitely going to add two guys to the roster, possibly a third. Everyone has a role. We’ve targeted guys who fit.”
With six players who ended the season gone, the Nets added swingman Antoine Wright (draft), center/forward Marc Jackson (trade), point guard Jeff McInnis (free agency) and re-signed Cliff Robinson. McKie, who clears waivers tomorrow, is the next logical addition. He had met over dinner with Frank and GM Ed Stefanski Tuesday.
“It’s fair to say the Nets are the front-runners,” said Leon Rose, McKie’s agent. “We had a productive, feeling-out meeting. The coach gave his philosophy with Aaron giving his input.”
McKie, 32, would start with the 10-year veteran’s minimum of $1,138,500. The 6-foot-8, 280-pound Traylor, 28, would get the remaining $1.6 million of the Nets’ mid-level money. An agreement is expected by the weekend.
The Nets are doing what the Knicks seem incapable of doing – building an actual team.
TH
ouch!
Didnt mean to hurt you, and I apologize for the bluntness… the rest of my post got deleted somehow.
But actually, that lone sentence says all I meant to say. The Nets have guys who are under AND over 6-6. Because you need those taller guys to grab that orange bouncy thing that clangs all over the place when your point guard shoots it twenty-five times.
TH
Whoa, man.
You’re talking about the best point guard in the NBA.