Well, you certainly can use those old lenses to get started and see what you need.
I myself prefer to take a cheaper lens first to see whether this kind of lens works well for me, others claim that with this method you always pay twice.
Until now I used a D80, since the day before yesterday a D90, so all my experience are with those cameras.
A good set of lenses (not too expensive) could be:
Sigma 10-20 (I have the old version). 10mm are quite a perspective but very interesting to use, although sometimes even too much.
As a standard zoom I can recommend the Tamron 17-50/2.8 (some claim that this lense doesn't harmonise with a D300, I couldn't tell). If you don't need F2.8 the 16-85 could be a very good and flexible option.
Those to lenses could cover most of your daily "business" as well as landscape.
For animals and sports you probably need more focal length. A quite cheap and fleexible solution might be the Sigma 150-500, I saw many good picture with this lens (I never used it though).
I startet with a Tokina 80-400 which was just too slow (AF as well as not a fast lens). Now I use a Nikon 300/4 + TC14 if necessairy. Secondhand not that expensive with an excellent quality.
If I were you I started with a good standard zoom and you'll soon see what more you need and how far this lense takes you.
Cheers
Mike