16. New Jersey Nets

The 16th pick belongs to the New Jersey Nets who are represented by:
   
     A. Borges Sugiyama 

With that pick, the Nets select:

     Douglas Edwards, PF, 6-9, Florida State

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USENET GM: A. Borges Sugiyama
TEAM:  New Jersey Nets

I.  Team Needs/Summary

The Nets have a good foundation to build a team on.  They have a solid
starter at each position.  This could have been a breakthrough year
for the Net, but injures did them in.  Chuck Daly was an excellent
choice for a coach, as he has settled the team's bad chemistry a bit.
Look for continued improvement in this area in the coming season.

There are two offseason goals for the team, resigning Petrovich and 
adding bench depth.


II.  Your selection (and explanation)

Douglas Edwards-  A solid well rounded player who hopefully can provide
solid minutes off the bench right away playing both small forward and
power forward positions.  His offensive game is very good and unselfish
and should be able to provide adequate defense and rebounding.  The 
Nets are lucky to find someone this talented this late in the draft.
Also, he appears to an unselfish team player which is good considering
the egos already on the team.


III. Others considered (and why considered, briefly)

George Lynch-  Seemed to offer more defense and rebounding as Edwards,
but not as much offensive skill.  The need for points off the bench
was greater than the need for defense.

Chris Mills-  Some envision him being a swing man in the pros, but he
will have a difficult time providing minutes at the shooting guard
position.  There will also not be many minutes available behind
Chris Morris at the small forward position.

Luther Wright-  Could fill a need if Dudley leaves, but most likely 
a long term project.  The Nets need more immediate contributions from
their first round pick.


IV. Who the team will probably take

It depends upon who the team thinks it will lose to free agency.  If 
they expect to lose Petrovich, they may have to reach for a shooting
guard.  If they lose Dudley they may have to reach for a center. 
Best player available is the most likely strategy for the Nets whose
basic need is overall depth.

Prediction:  Chris Mills 


V.  Other moves that team should make

Priority number one is to resign Petrovich.  If they lose Petrovich,
the Nets will be in real trouble.  Three million a year is too
much for Dudley.  If someone signs him to an offer sheet for that
much, the Nets should let him go.

Also reuniting Dennis Rodman with Chuck Daly would be a good move
for both the Nets and Rodman.

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Draft Summary:

1.  Orlando
    GM:   Tom@Orlando 
    Pick: Chris Webber, PF, 6-10.  University of Michigan
2.  Philadelphia
    GM:   Dave Meeks 
    Pick: Shawn Bradley, C, 7-7. BYU
3.  Golden State
    GM's: Mike Moore 
          Terry Wong 
    Pick: Jamal Mashburn, SF, 6-8. Kentucky
4.  Dallas
    GM:   Curtis Hill  
    Pick: Anfernee Hardaway, SG, 6-7, Memphis State
5.  Minnesota
    GM's: Kevin Hansen 
          Toni Morgan 
    Pick: Calbert Cheaney, SF, 6-7. Indiana
6.  Washington
    GM's: The Crossjammer 
          Jim Nagle   
    Pick: J.R. Rider, SG, 6-5, UNLV
7.  Sacramento
    GM:   TODD FURESZ 
    Pick: Rodney Rogers, PF, 6-7, Wake Forest
8.  Milwaukee       
    GM's: Brian Saunders 
          Morgan Edwards 
    Pick: Malcolm Mackey, PF, 6-11, Georgia Tech
9.  Denver
    GM's: John Exby 
          Rick Grubin 
    Pick: Ervin Johnson, PF, 6-11, New Orleans
10. Detroit
    GM:   Rob Skrobola 
    Pick: Alan Houston, SG, 6-6, Tennessee
11. Detroit
    GM:   Rob Skrobola 
    Pick: Acie Earl, C, 6-10, Iowa
12. L.A. Lakers
    GM:   Cliff Slaughterbeck 
    Pick: Bobby Hurley, PG, 6-0, Duke
13. L.A. Clippers
    GM:   Cliff Slaughterbeck 
    Pick: Vin Baker, SF, 6-10, Hartford
14. Indiana
    GM:   Doug Mraz 
    Pick: Scott Burrell, SG, 6-7, UCONN
15. Atlanta
    GM:   Kevin Metz 
    Pick: Terry Dehere, SG, 6-4, Seton Hall
16. New Jersey
    GM:   A. Borges Sugiyama 
    Pick: Douglas Edwards, PF, 6-9, Florida State

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Next up:
17. Charlotte
    GM:   Bren Bailey