Ersan Ilyasova is an enigma. Or he could be a one-year wonder. Either way, he remains someone the Brooklyn Nets must avoid.
Why do I say this? Because according to Gary Wolfel of the Racine Journal-Times (via NetsDaily.com), the Nets are reportedly once again interesting in acquiring the essential stretch forward:
Gary Woelfel, long-time Bucks beat writer for the Racine Journal-Times, told a local radio show Saturday that he has it is on “very good authority” that the Nets are again interested in Ersan Ilyasova, and “trying to figure out a way in which to obtain him.” The Bucks signed Ilyasova to a five-year, $40 million contract ($32.4 million guaranteed) in July. He has played poorly this season, averaging 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds, compared to 13.0 and 8.9 in his contract year last season. Ilyasova cannot be traded until January 15.
So yeah, there’s your daily dose of probably-not-going-to-happen and the-Nets-better-hope-to-God-it-doesn’t-happen trade rumors.
As noted, Ilyasova cannot be traded for almost another month. Yet that’s not the problem. The problem is the $40 million contract he signed this summer. The Nets don’t have any assets that can match the $7.9 million Ilyasova is earning annually. Not unless they decimate their roster or give up one of their premiere pieces, that is.
And yet, even if by some miracle—or in this case nightmare—Brooklyn finds a way to make it happen, it needs to think twice. Or even three times. Actually, as many times it takes for them to realize this isn’t a good idea is going to be necessary.
I understand that the Nets lack a true stretch 4 and I also understand how important those stretch forwards are in this era of basketball. But Ilyasova? Come on now.
After a breakout 2011-12 season that saw Ilyasova average 13 points and 8.9 rebounds per game on 49.2 percent shooting from the floor, he inked a lucrative contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. And he has anything but lived up to it. He’s currently putting up just 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game on 39.9 shooting. He’s also seen his playing time decrease as well.
If you ask me, this isn’t what Milwaukee had in mind when they brought Ilyasova back. It’s also what the Nets shouldn’t have in mind as they look to improve their roster. Not if they actually want to improve it.
Personally, I’d rather see the Nets embrace the small-ball concept and play Marshon Brooks more instead of trade him. Especially when trading him would involve taking Ilyasova back—if it even becomes possible.
As much potential as Ilyasova has, he’s not what the Nets need. He’s a lukewarm defender who has proven to be wildly inconsistent on the offensive end as well this season. He won’t even help their 18th-ranked three-point shooting because he’s hitting on just 31.3 percent of his attempts this year.
Which means the Nets are lucky that this trade cannot be discussed until January 15th, even if they don’t realize it yet.
Because over the course of the next few weeks, hopefully Brooklyn will come to its senses and realize this is a bad idea.
Like really bad.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
