If Wednesday night’s attendance numbers are any indication of what’s in stor for the Nets, Keeping them in New Jersey will make Mission: Impossible seem like a walk in the park.

On Wednesday, just prior to the Nets season opener against the Pistons, the NBA announced that its 2011 draft will be held at the Prudential Center. Newark Mayor Cory Booker wore his joy of the Nets and the NBA in Newark on his sleeve during the press conference. But the crowd was disappointing. It was announced as a sellout, but there were at least 1,500 empty seats. The official number was 15,178.

Normally, getting 15,000 to 15,500 into an arena that has a capacity of 17,000 isn’t a bad thing. But opening night in the NBA usually brings a capacity audience. Not for the Nets. Despite new ownership, a new coach and general manager and an overhauled roster, the crowd was no better than most of the Nets games last season.

The good news was the Nets gave the crowd something to cheer about with a 101-98 win over the Pistons. Anthony Morrow hit a big three with 26 seconds left to give the Nets the lead.

The funny thing is Mayor Booker may be on to something when he said how he wanted Newark to be an attraction. Even without the Nets the Prudential Center has bought a lot of events to New Jersey. The NHL’s Devils as well as Seton Hall basketball calls the Rock home. The 2011 NCAA East regionals will be held at the Rock. Boxing has also made its presence felt at the arena.

Chairman and Managing Parter of the Devils Area Entertainment Jeff Vanderbeek said the Prudential is third among all arenas in America in total basketball events, trailing Madison Square Garden and the Staples Center.

“Newark is becoming a center for action, entertainment and the best of sports,” Booker said.

Getting back to the Nets, how will the low turnout effect the franchise over the next two years? As long as the Nets remain dead-set on their plans to move to Brooklyn, attendance will stay on the low side. A two-year wait to move won’t kill the franchise.

But if the move continues to be pushed back, the continued low turnout could really become an issue, especially when Brook Lopez and Devin Harris become free agents.

The bottom line is the Nets need Brookyn to happen. And fast.