23-year old Courtney Lee was acquired in the Vince Carter trade with the Magic over the off-season and he will start at shooting guard this year. He played in 77 games as a rookie with the Magic last season and he averaged 25.2 minutes, 8.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He was also a good shooter from long range last season hitting 40.4% from three point range. With a lack of offensive firepower on the Nets look for Lee to possibly double his scoring average this season. 22-year old Terrence Williams will also likely get a lot of playing time this season. He was a first round pick out of Louisville and the Nets really like him. 30-year old Trenton Hassell will likely be the #3 SG on the Nets this season because of his defense. He played in 53 games for the Nets last season and he averaged 20.6 minutes, 3.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. 22-year old Chris Douglas-Roberts will likely be buried on the depth chart this season but the Nets do like him. He played in 44 games for the Nets as a rookie last season and he averaged 13.3 minutes, 4.9 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SHOOTING GUARDS IN 2009-2010: C

Mikhail Prokhorov of Russia has a deal set to purchase the controlling interest in the New Jersey Nets and be the main funding behind building a new arena in Brooklyn, New York.  This is sad news for New Jersey fans who were hoping the move to Brooklyn would continue to get delayed, but with this recent news it looks like the Nets are going to Brooklyn in 2011, as orignally scheduled.  Some have even hinted at having the Nets out even earlier and having the Brooklyn arena ready at the beginning of the 2010-2011 season, but I doubt that will happen.  The only hope New Jersey fans have to keep their Nets in Jersey is if 75% of the NBA’s board of governors does not approve of Prokhorov’s deal to purchase the Nets.

Here is a video via YouTube from the YES Network on the Nets coming to Brooklyn and the new arena:

The Nets have acquired two future 2nd round picks from the Warriors.   In return the Warriors won’t have to give the Nets their first round lottery protected draft pick in 2011 instead waiting until the 2012 season.  It’s always good to get extra draft picks so it’s no big deal that the Nets will have to wait an extra year to get a first round pick.

The New Jersey Nets are three deep at point guard with guys who could start for other teams. 26-year old Devin Harris is the straw that stirs the drink for the Nets. He will be even counted on more now with Vince Carter off to Orlando. Harris played in 69 games for the Nets last season and he averaged 36.1 minutes, 21.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game. 33-year old Rafer Alston came over in the trade for Vince Carter and he will back up Harris. Alston played in 77 games for the Rockets and Magic last season in which he averaged 31.8 minutes, 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game. If Alston buys into being a backup he can help the Nets, if not they will likely try to trade him during the season. 29-year old Keyon Dooling will likely be the #3 PG and SG for the Nets. He played in 77 games for the Nets last season and he averaged 26.9 minutes, 9.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE POINT GUARDS FOR THE 2009-2010 NBA SEASON: A-

The Nets traded Vince Carter to the Orlando Magic for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee to start off the summer. Carter is impossible for the Nets to replace but they wanted to free up cap space to make a run at LeBron James next summer. Still, losing Carter was not smart for the near future as the Nets might have problems scoring points. Lee has a nice upside but Alston and Battie are just not that good. The Nets have also re-signed SF Jarvis Hayes and drafted SG/SF Terrence Williams in the first round of the NBA Draft.

FRONT OFFICE GRADE SO FAR THIS OFF-SEASON: D