Dooling Is On His Way

Keyon Dooling is close to becoming a Net.

League sources said the Nets and Magic are close to agreeing on a sign-and-trade for the point guard Lawrence Frank pursued three years ago.

Dooling would sign a three-year deal for between $10 million and $11 million and then be sent to the Nets for their $3.3 million trade exception acquired from Dallas in the Jason Kidd trade.

This deal probably won't be finalized until next week, but when it is it will give the Nets 16 players under contract and almost certainly would spell the end of Marcus Williams' career with the team.

The Nets have been looking to move Williams the past two summers. Once they secure the veteran combo guard Dooling, he immediately would jump to No. 2 behind Devin Harris and also could spell Vince Carter at the two.

The Nets aren't going to give away Williams. They could try and deal him for a draft pick or package him with another player in a 2-for-1-type of deal to create a roster spot.

there would be little need for Williams.

Comments

[Jeff]

Terrific move. Love it. Dooling is exactly the type of player we need.

[esco]

I look forward to watching Marcus succeed somewhere else.

The kid's got a ton of skill, I think he'll benefit from a better coaching staff.

Someday I hope to discover the reason for Al's hatred of him.

[Al Iannazzone]

For the last time, hopefully, I don't hate Marcus.

I know the organization likes him as a person, but aren't convinced he has a winning attitude, work ethic or desire to be great. If not, why would they acquire Devin and Dooling.

I thought he would be the future point guard of the Nets, but it's not working out that way.

Nothing personal. I like the guy. I have said it before.

[Jeff]

It won't be the last time, Al.

I still like Marcus but I guess it's time to end the experiment. Obviously we are not around him like Nets personnel are and if they believe he has those issues, then it's time to let him go. I think he needs a change of scenery.

Al, any chance they try to trade for Nocioni? I realize he has making a ton of money in 2010, but if they are really trying to make the playoffs, getting him would help.

[tookiewilliams]

vote obama '08

[Adam.y]

I love Dooling and I think this is a great pick up but once again I think Thorn and Kiki are about to make 2 GIGANTIC mistake's if they trade Nenad and Marcus away.
Both guys are very very special young players who are just recovering from injuries and when they were healthy showed signs/flashes of greatness.
Nenad will return to his 18 and 7 form (and might even improve on it) and Marcus really reminds me of a young Steve Nash he has something that's extremley rare these days and that's a Kidd/Steve Nash like court vision, need I remind you guys that Billups and Nash were either considered average-solid or underacheiver's until a certain point in their career's?

If anything our terrible young player development should be blamed (hate to bring the old horse but here it goes...) on Frank AKA Opie.
Seriously I'd be fine if lets say one rookie didnt pan out well but Frank wasnt able to make a single Net rookie work, even when the rookies gave him every sign in the world that they are ready (Sean williams in the first half of the season and Marcus Williams last season) he'd just completley ignore their accomplishments, shatter their confidence like a samurai sword and insert Collins and Mallik Allan into the starting lineup instead (PS I loved both players but there's no point in ignoring that any sane coach would see them as starting material).

[daniel]

another contract that goes through 2011 - interesting. Good signing, but wonder about that third year and cap space for the big free agents

[SwampDragons]

Al-

Sporting News is reporting a 2 year deal for about $7 million which makes more sense than the 3 year deal you report. Is the third year guaranteed?

Any chance that the Nets take a run at Ron Artest? They seem to have the pieces that could interest the Kings, but Artest might not be worth the headache.

[paulvard]

I don't know what they saw with this guy Dooling. Williams is more talented than this guy. Another miserable indication of Frank's inability to develop rookies. With this years group of very talented rookies, I am scared they'll be f**ck up again by Franks.

[Joe]

Dooling is a great pickup for a team that needed a reliable backup point and better perimeter defense. They still need to make another big time move if this team is gonna be a true championship contender. The depth is great though already, if Frank was smart he'd play 11 guys every night and keep people fresh

[Adam.y]

Al now that the team seems to be looking a lot more competitive that it did a few days ago is there any chance Thorn and Kiki do something like this?

http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=4732595

I really think Artest grew up this pas year and because we're in rebuilding-competitive mode I really think an Artest-VC-Harris- great young supporting cast core will be great for the short term and the long term.
It will hurt me to bid farewell to Marcus Williams and to a lesser extent Josh Boone but Marcus is a guy this team gave up on (and only a great trade value like this works for me to get rid of him) and JB is a great role player but I dont think we really need him with our bundle of big's and due to his lack of upside.

[mt57]

The Nets are not going to pick up Artest because of his erratic personality which will negatively affect the young plaeyrs' work ethic and development. RonRon will go to a contender who is willing to put up with him for a year to try to get a ring. Or he will just be like Sprewell and fade away. He's that wacky.

[Philly Gee]

You guys are using the word "great" FAR too often with Marcus and Josh. Lets face it, neither are great at anything. Potential, yes. Great? NO WAY!

By the way, Marcus is a guy I give up on also. He shows me a speed that is one notch below NBA level, no leadership skills, matadore defense, and a lack of hustle. Basically, I could see him developing into a scoring point for sure. But only a team that is going nowhere. Even Pearl Washington led the Nets in scoring on many occasions. I think we have to realize, we need grit (Najara types) not skill sets with a lack of desire.

[Mr Math]

If they have 16 players including Dooling, then doing a 2-for-1 would leave them with 15 players, which wouldn't create a roster spot.

[mjs]

Artest - put down the pipe please. The last player the Nets need right now. Remember, it's not title time.

I agree its interesting to go 3 years again. Only $3+ mil, still against the paradigm they started. If 3 years for Dooling, why not some of the other FA's.

Marcus has real potential. It's hard to watch him leave, then come back to burn us. But Frank will not put him in a situation to thrive, plus Devin is here for the long haul.

www.njnetscast.com

[rinda]

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