By: Dustin Chapman

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• Pre-Draft: Traded Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons.

• Selected Brook Lopez 10th overall.

• Selected Ryan Anderson 21st overall.

• Selected Chris Douglas-Roberts 40th overall.

New Jersey was one of the real winners on 2008 draft day, as they came away with a pair of big steals and set themselves up nicely from a financial point of view via trade.

The first steal New Jersey picked up was Stanford center Brook Lopez, who after being touted as a likely top five pick for the bulk of the draft process, fell all the way down to 10. At that point, it was a virtual no-brainer for the Nets (and Charlotte, but we won’t go there). Lopez fell right into their lap. He gives the Nets the post presence that they’ve been seeking for years, and his upside is up there with any other big in this draft class.

The other big steal New Jersey came away with was swingman Chris Douglas- Roberts of Memphis, who was expected to be a late-first round pick but winded up slipping to 40. For a team that just got rid of Richard Jefferson and has no set starter alongside Vince Carter on the wing, Douglas-Roberts has a real shot to get some playing time right away. Down the line, who knows? He may even develop into a formidable starter if he plays his cards right. Regardless, his slashing ability and perimeter defense will benefit New Jersey right from the get-go.

My only legitimate concern regarding New Jerseys moves and additions is this: are they too soft? Yi Jianlian certainly has upside, but does he possess the toughness to be good? Ryan Anderson can play the game, but is he another 6’10’’ player who refuses to use his size to his advantage, and settle for jump shots? Thank god for Brook Lopez, who plays with great intensity, because New Jersey looks as though they are softening up on the whole.

Nevertheless, a great draft day for them. No doubt about it.

Grade: A-

Just before Monday’s Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline, reports suggested that Italian forward Danilo Gallinari had the intent of pulling his name out of the draft if he did not receive a guarantee in the top 10. The deadline has passed, Gallinari kept his name in the draft pool, and rumor has it that the New Jersey Nets are the team that offered the insurance.

We’ve been trying to piece together the Danilo Gallinari conundrum today, after we saw those conflicting reports — from Chad and number of others – about whether the Italian kid has a guarantee.

Here’s one (very) prominent agent’s take on it: Of course he does.

The deadline for pulling out of the draft has passed, Gallinari is sticking around, and that may serve as ample confirmation that the agent is right.

“I think Jersey has given him a guarantee,” the agent said. “Though it’s more like, ‘If you’re still around at 10, we’ll take you.’ Just to keep him in it, a promise that they’re not going to pass on him.”

With trade rumors swirling around swingmen Vince Carter and/or Richard Jefferson, the pieces of this puzzle could very well gel together.

The truth will be told in just nine days.

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Posted By: Dustin Chapman