Nets Prepare For A New Era In Irrelevence



The New York Daily News' Mitch Lawrence reports on yet another stage in Bruce Ratner's demolition of the New Jersey Nets.

In what would amount to the final dismantling of their team, the Nets are discussing a blockbuster trade that would send Jason Kidd to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Shareef Adbur-Rahim.

Several NBA sources said that talks have been held for the last few days, but CEO Rod Thorn said last night that the Nets are not close to dealing their superstar point guard or anyone else.



(Jason, wondering if Pig Champion can help him look for houses)

"I don't comment on anything regarding players," Thorn said.

However, Portland president Steve Patterson told CBS Sportsline that the two teams had discussed a Kidd-Abdur-Rahim deal.

"It's early," Patterson said. "It's interesting, but I don't know if anything will happen."

The Nets believe that Portland might be one of the few teams that would deal for Kidd without reservations about his recently repaired knee. The Blazers also have a history of some of the biggest payrolls in the NBA. And Blazers owner Paul Allen could easily absorb the remaining five years on Kidd's contract at close to $90 million.

Although trading Kidd would be immensely unpopular with their remaining fans, the Nets are concerned about how Kidd is going to deal with the wholesale changes since last season that have reduced the team from Eastern Conference contender status. While he has not demanded a trade, Kidd has let the Nets know that he would accept deals to several Western Conference teams, including Sacramento, Minnesota and Dallas.

Remaining Nets fans? Can Mitch name one?

Posted: Wed - September 15, 2004 at 11:09 PM      

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