Analyzing and Grading Billy King’s Major Moves as Nets GM

1. December 15 2010

Traded forward Joe Smith, Terrence Williams, a second-round pick in 2011 (Darius Morris) and a second-round pick 2012 (Robert Sacre) to the Los Angeles Lakers for guard Sasha Vujacic and a protected 2011 first-round pick (JaJuan Johnson traded for MarShon Brooks) and a lottery-protected 2012 first round pick from the Houston Rockets.

Grade: B

Vujacic was a solid role player for the Nets in his lone season in New Jersey. He brought a spark off the bench. The following season Vujacic decided to stay overseas after the lockout ended. The Nets really didn’t lose much in the trade and ended up drafting MarShon Brooks, a young player with a ton of upside.

2. February 23 2011
Traded guard Devin Harris, forward Derrick Favors, two first-round picks (Enes Kanter and Gorgui Dieng) and cash to the Utah Jazz for guard Deron Williams. Billy King also traded forward Troy Murphy and a second-round pick (Draymond Green) to the Golden State Warriors for forward Brandan Wright and center Dan Gadzuric.

Grade: B

This trade marked the beginning Deron Williams era. Without this acquisition, the Nets could still be in a rebuilding stage. With Deron Williams becoming the cornerstone of the franchise and attracting other free-agents to the Nets, the Nets were put into a win-now mindset. Looking back, the Nets gave up a lot in order to receive one of the best point guards in the league at the time. Favors and Kanter have developed into quality starters for the Utah Jazz, Gorgui Dieng is showcasing his potential to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Draymond Green is a surprisingly talented big man who the Nets missed out on. We thank Billy King for putting us in the position to win now, but we need to acknowledge how much we needed to give up to make that happen.

3. Draft 2011

Selected forwards JaJuan Johnson (27th overall pick) and Jordan Williams (36th overall pick).
Traded the draft rights to forward JaJuan Johnson and a 2014 second-round pick (Russ Smith) to the Boston Celtics for the draft rights to guard Marshon Brooks. Traded a future second-round pick (Lorenzo Brown) and cash to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the draft rights to forward Bojan Bogdanovic.

Grade: B+

Jordan Williams tenure with the Nets was short-lived, as was MarShon Brooks, a talented young player who showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie year in the league. However, this trade has brought Bojan Bogdanovic to Brooklyn this season. The Nets have a hole at the small forward position and Bogdanovic looks poised to fill that role after torching the Euro League.

4. March 15 2012

Traded forward Shawne Williams, center Mehmet Okur and a conditional first-round pick (Damian Lillard) to the Portland Trail Blazers for forward Gerald Wallace.

Grade: F–

The Nets gave up their future with this move. Trading for an expiring contract of Gerald Wallace, the Nets threw away the 6th pick in the draft for a forward on the decline. The Blazers struck gold by drafting Weber State’s Damian lillard. Lillard has already proven to be one of the most talented point guards in the league. Gerald Wallace signed a 4-year, $40 million extension with the Nets and was traded to Boston one year after proving his best days were clearly behind him.

5. July 11 2012

Traded guards Jordan Farmar and DeShawn Stevenson, forwards Anthony Morrow and Jordan Williams, center Johan Petro, first-round pick in 2013 (Shane Larkin) and a 2017 second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for Joe Johnson

Grade: A-

The Brooklyn Nets packaged a group of role players and have received an All-Star in the process. Joe Johnson has proven to hit shots when it counts the most and has continued to show that he can contribute at a high level for the Nets.

6. July 11 2012

Signed forward Mirza Teletovic to a 3-year, $9.7 million deal.

Grade: B

The King of Bosnia was coming to Brooklyn. Mirza Teletovic’s first season was disappointing as he struggled to find a role with the team. During this second year in the league, Teletovic turned it around and proved to be a valuable asset off the bench.

7. July 11 2012

Re-signed guard Deron Williams, forward Gerald Wallace and center Brook Lopez.

Grade: B

Billy King was able to keep Deron Williams from signing with the Mavericks, keep the young and talented Brook Lopez in Brooklyn for four more years, and managed to sign Gerald Wallace to a four-year deal, despite the fact that his best days were behind him. Deron Williams has not proven to be worth his contract and Brook Lopez continues to get injured. In the lone season these players were together, the Nets were able to advance to the first round of the playoffs.

8. July 11 2012

Acquired forward Reggie Evans from the Los Angeles Clippers for the right to swap second-round picks in 2016.

Grade:  B+

Reggie Evans was a huge contributor to the Nets 2012-2013. Despite his inability to contribute on the offensive end, Reggie Evans’ defensive prowess and ability to rebound earned him a starting job. His energy sparked the team that seemed to lack the heart and passion to win it all.

9. September 12 2012

Signed forward Andray Blatche.

Grade: A

Andray Blatche brought a lot to the Nets organization. The Nets needed a back-up forward and Blatche needed a second dance. Since joining the Nets, Blatche has given the team quality minutes and has hit some crazy shots while showing off his ball-handling skills.

10. June 12 2013

Named Jason Kidd head coach.

Grade: F

Hiring a rookie head coach was a very risky move that could yield a high reward. Bringing Jason Kidd back to Brooklyn was a good marketing strategy and excited the Nets franchise. But, in the end Jason Kidd was not able to lead the Nets too far in the playoffs. When things didn’t work out the way he planned, he decided to take his lack of talents to Milwaukee with a front office position.

11. 2013 Draft

Selected forward Mason Plumlee (22nd overall pick).

Grade: B+

Plumlee had an overall solid rookie campaign and has looked like a steal early on. He has been practicing with Team USA and is improving his midrange game. Mason is definitely a part of the Nets future front court.

12. July 12 2013

Traded guards MarShon Brooks and Keith Bogans, forwards Gerald Wallace, Kris Joseph and Kris Humphries, the 2014 (James Young), 2016 and 2018 first-round draft picks and the right to swap first-round picks in 2017 to the Boston Celtics for guard Jason Terry and forwards Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and DJ White

Grade: D-

This trade made the Nets instant contenders, at the expense of their future. However, the organization couldn’t have been more wrong. They gave up their future for three aging All-Stars. Paul Pierce was a solid starter for the Nets, but Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry were unable to play at a high level. Kevin Garnett is the only player from this trade who remains on the Nets.

13. June 30 2014

Traded Jason Kidd for two future second round picks.

Grade: B

Jason Kidd tried to ask for too much power and within no time he was out of Brooklyn. I’m excited to see head coach Lionel Hollins turn the Nets into a tough defensive-minded team. This may have not been the ideal ending for his reign in Brooklyn, but it’s what he asked for.

14. July 10 2014

Acquired Jarrett Jack and Sergey Karasev from Cleveland for Marcus Thornton and the rights to Edin Bavcic, Ilkan Karaman and Christian Drejer

Grade: B+

The Nets take on Jack’s contract to help the Cavaliers clear space for LeBron James. Jack is a solid replacement for Shaun Livingston, who recently signed with the Golden State Warriors. Karasev was targeted by the Nets in last years draft process, but was taken right before the Nets were able to get their hands on him. He can shoot the ball from the wing and has a lot of potential. He didn’t prove much last year, but his potential is sky-high. This move was good for the Nets because it added some youth and solid replacements while not shedding a lot of talent.

Overall Grade: B

Overall, Billy King has helped build a solid lineup here in Brooklyn despite signing over the hill players to large contracts and trading multiple draft picks at a time.