27-year old starting point guard Deron Williams is the star the Nets are going to build their team around. Williams played in 65 games (all starts) for the Nets & Jazz last year and he averaged 37.9 minutes, 20.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 10.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He has now played in 451 games (418 starts) in his first six years in the NBA and he is averaging 35.7 minutes, 17.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game. 24-year old Jordan Farmar will be Williams’ caddy in 2011-12. He played in 73 games (18 starts) for the Nets last year and he averaged 24.6 minutes, 9.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. Farmar has now played in 374 games (20 starts) in his first five years in the NBA and he has averaged 19.4 minutes, 7.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

Money is burning a hole in the Nets’ owner’s pocket, so I look for them to be very active when the lockout is lifted. The Nets are going to be looking to add another star to the team. The Nets need to bring back power forward Kris Humphries to help with the rebounding as starting center Brook Lopez is very soft. The Nets likey need more scoring out of the shooting guard position, so don’t be surprised if the make a run at signing either Jason Richardson or Jamal Crawford when the lockout is lifted.