ducks
07-18-2005, 09:12 AM
Shareef on the clock
Monday, July 18, 2005
By AL IANNAZZONE
STAFF WRITER
The Nets aren't going to wait for Shareef Abdur-Rahim too much longer.
Team officials would like a decision on whether Abdur-Rahim is committed to playing for them, perhaps as early as today. If they don't get it, they are expected to focus their attention on athletic free agent forward Stromile Swift.
The Nets may bring Swift to New Jersey for a visit. Team brass met with him last week in Las Vegas.
"I'm trying to keep the people we're interested in in the game here," Nets president Rod Thorn said Sunday afternoon. "You have to try to make sure they don't sign with somebody before you get whatever you're doing done."
The Nets haven't gotten any closer to a sign-and-trade with Portland for Abdur-Rahim. The Blazers haven't accepted the Nets' offer of their $4.9 million trade exception and a second-round pick. The Nets could add another No. 2 pick to sweeten the deal.
Either way, Thorn wants Abdur-Rahim to agree to come to New Jersey. If the Nets can't do a deal with Portland, Abdur-Rahim would have to take the midlevel exception, which provides a maximum of about $28 million over five years. With the trade exception, which expires July 29, Abdur-Rahim could get six years and about $38 million.
Thorn said "definitely" when asked if he needed a commitment soon from Abdur-Rahim.
One league source said the Nets will make their deadline today.
But Aaron Goodwin, Abur-Rahim's agent, said the Nets are the ones on a deadline.
"New Jersey should want something done before he signs with another team," Goodwin said. "In my case, I'm going to keep moving and get him the best deal."
Abdur-Rahim walked away from a five-year, $47 million offer from the Bucks, and has been offered above midlevel money by the Clippers. Goodwin doesn't plan on accepting the midlevel.
The Nets want something to happen this week with Abdur-Rahim or Swift, who is being courted heavily by Houston.
Pending the completion of the new collective bargaining agreement, teams can start signing players Friday.
The Nets want a top-flight big man before they turn their attention to other free agents such as Keyon Dooling, Darius Songaila and Clifford Robinson. A source with knowledge of the Nets' thinking believes once they get one agreement, they could secure one or two more players shortly thereafter.
"There's a possibility that you may be able to start signing people on [Friday], so I'd say this is an important week for us," Thorn said.
While the Blazers haven't been a willing sign-and-trade partner, the Grizzlies have been more receptive. They may accept a second-rounder and the trade exception for Swift. If so, the Nets could use their midlevel on more than one free agent.
But the clock is ticking.
"You try to keep everybody in the game," Thorn said. "As time passes it becomes harder to do, so we've got to try to get things expedited."
E-mail: [email protected]
Monday, July 18, 2005
By AL IANNAZZONE
STAFF WRITER
The Nets aren't going to wait for Shareef Abdur-Rahim too much longer.
Team officials would like a decision on whether Abdur-Rahim is committed to playing for them, perhaps as early as today. If they don't get it, they are expected to focus their attention on athletic free agent forward Stromile Swift.
The Nets may bring Swift to New Jersey for a visit. Team brass met with him last week in Las Vegas.
"I'm trying to keep the people we're interested in in the game here," Nets president Rod Thorn said Sunday afternoon. "You have to try to make sure they don't sign with somebody before you get whatever you're doing done."
The Nets haven't gotten any closer to a sign-and-trade with Portland for Abdur-Rahim. The Blazers haven't accepted the Nets' offer of their $4.9 million trade exception and a second-round pick. The Nets could add another No. 2 pick to sweeten the deal.
Either way, Thorn wants Abdur-Rahim to agree to come to New Jersey. If the Nets can't do a deal with Portland, Abdur-Rahim would have to take the midlevel exception, which provides a maximum of about $28 million over five years. With the trade exception, which expires July 29, Abdur-Rahim could get six years and about $38 million.
Thorn said "definitely" when asked if he needed a commitment soon from Abdur-Rahim.
One league source said the Nets will make their deadline today.
But Aaron Goodwin, Abur-Rahim's agent, said the Nets are the ones on a deadline.
"New Jersey should want something done before he signs with another team," Goodwin said. "In my case, I'm going to keep moving and get him the best deal."
Abdur-Rahim walked away from a five-year, $47 million offer from the Bucks, and has been offered above midlevel money by the Clippers. Goodwin doesn't plan on accepting the midlevel.
The Nets want something to happen this week with Abdur-Rahim or Swift, who is being courted heavily by Houston.
Pending the completion of the new collective bargaining agreement, teams can start signing players Friday.
The Nets want a top-flight big man before they turn their attention to other free agents such as Keyon Dooling, Darius Songaila and Clifford Robinson. A source with knowledge of the Nets' thinking believes once they get one agreement, they could secure one or two more players shortly thereafter.
"There's a possibility that you may be able to start signing people on [Friday], so I'd say this is an important week for us," Thorn said.
While the Blazers haven't been a willing sign-and-trade partner, the Grizzlies have been more receptive. They may accept a second-rounder and the trade exception for Swift. If so, the Nets could use their midlevel on more than one free agent.
But the clock is ticking.
"You try to keep everybody in the game," Thorn said. "As time passes it becomes harder to do, so we've got to try to get things expedited."
E-mail: [email protected]