As for the side perks, didn't exactly entice Aldridge or Monroe this past offseason.
Did they sign in Memphis?
They signed where they did based on the hope of winning. How does Memphis pitch that to FAs? "We're slowing getting older / slower / sliding down the standings in a league moving to faster pace, but the BBQ is good."?
You see my point? The Nets are hitting the bottom now, and have a very attractive situation to offer. The Grizz aren't looking themselves in the mirror yet, though they should.
They didn't sign in Memphis, but they may as well have since it makes my point. San Antonio and Milwaukee don't offer what you're proclaiming is an irresistable allure of NYC life.
I'm not seeing an attractive situation in Brooklyn any time soon. Memphis, while not contenders, aren't going to fall off the face of the earth like the Nets have after the KG/PP trade.
"How does Memphis pitch that to FAs? "We're slowing getting older / slower / sliding down the standings in a league moving to faster pace" but we still have a top center, really good PG, other good supporting players and all we need is one good player to be back in the mix. Oh sure, you can go to Brooklyn where no one else is signing and wish you could make the playoffs or sign here and know that you will.