The New Jersey Nets have been one of the worst teams vs. the NBA odds in recent seasons but that could be changing as the team has new ownership. The Nets new owner is Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov and he is ready to spend money on the Nets. New Jersey could be a major player in free agency and they could be vastly improved vs. the basketball odds next season.
NBA odds listed the Nets as underdogs in almost every game last season. That might not be the case next year if the Nets get some big name free agents. Prokhorov is willing to spend money and it may not be long before the Nets have a much different look. Prokhorov will own 80 percent of the Nets and 45 percent of the new arena in Brooklyn. “This much-anticipated day has finally come and now the real fun begins of building a championship team with a state-of-the-art home in the Barclays Center at Atlantic Yards,” Prokhorov said. “To the fans, whether in New Jersey, Brooklyn, or Moscow, I will do everything I can to give you a winning team. See you at the draft lottery.”
The Nets were an NBA worst 12-70 last season and they were not very good against the NBA odds either as they went 33-48-1. New Jersey started the season with a long losing streak and although they did win a few games, it was still a very poor season for the Nets. The Nets are not going to be as bad next season since they have about $23 million in salary cap room. That should make them a major player for free agents like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. NBA commissioner David Stern is very happy to have Prokhovov in the league. “We anticipate that his passion for the game and business acumen will be of considerable value not only to the Nets franchise but to the entire NBA,” Stern said.
The Nets will have a top four pick in the NBA Draft and they have a one in four chance of getting the first pick. Not only will the Nets get a top player in the draft they will get some top free agents as well. Look for New Jersey to be vastly improved next year vs. the basketball odds with their new owner spending money.