ducks
09-27-2006, 11:12 AM
Nets president says team isn't rushing to talk with Vince Carter
By TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports Writer
September 26, 2006
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Whenever Vince Carter wants to discuss his contract, the New Jersey Nets are ready to listen.
While under contract for the next two seasons, Carter can opt out of his current deal after the upcoming season. Should he decide to stay, the All-Star guard will be paid $16 million for the 2007-08 season.
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"Any conversation I've had with him, he's been very consistent that he doesn't think about it," team president Rod Thorn said Tuesday, a week before the opening of training camp. "He doesn't want it to be an issue this year. When the appropriate time comes, we'll address it."
The Nets have until June 30 to extend Carter's current contract for up to three years. If that doesn't happen, Carter, who will earn about $15 million this season, could become a free agent.
Thorn has seen Kurt Schoeppler, Carter's agent, a few times over the summer, but they have not spoken about a contract.
There probably will be some negotiations next spring, Thorn guessed.
"He is very happy where he is," Thorn said of Carter, who led the Nets in scoring last season with a 24.2 average. "He likes his teammates. He likes playing here, but right now he is very content to see what happens. I mean he has an extra year at a huge amount of money, so it's not like there is pressure on him."
Schoeppler did not immediately return a telephone message left at his IMG office in Cleveland.
In a wide-ranging interview, Thorn also said the Nets' decision to extend their lease to play at the Continental Airlines Arena through 2013 was protection in the event the team's planned new arena in Brooklyn, N.Y., is delayed. The team hopes to move in for the 2009-10 season.
"There is no final date," Thorn said. "It's still a work in progress. It will happen at some point in time. As to exactly when that point in time is, I don't think any of us know."
Looking at the team, Thorn believes the starting lineup of Carter, Jason Kidd, Nenad Krstic, Richard Jefferson and Jason Collins is one of the best in the league.
Thorn said Carter and Kidd are in their prime and Jefferson is approaching his. Krstic continues to make major strides and Collins is finally healthy.
The big concern is, again, the bench. It did not perform well last season and must step up this year despite being very young.
Forward Clifford Robinson and recently signed guard Eddie House should provide a veteran presence along with center Mikki Moore. Antoine Wright will be given a chance to play more in his third season, as will Bostjan Nachbar. The question marks will be the rookies, including first-round draft pick Marcus Williams, the Connecticut point guard, and second-round choice Hassam Adams, who spent the summer recovering from a foot injury.
Forward Josh Boone, the Nets' other first-round pick from UConn, will be sidelined until at least midseason following shoulder surgery in July.
"He's coming along fine," Thorn said. "I think he's feeling real frisky and real good at this time, but historically that sort of operation ends up taking four to six months.
"I thought we'd be pretty good and we ended up being pretty good last year," Thorn added. "We had some ups and downs. So with the added development of Krstic this year -- and he's a very good player -- there's no reason this can't be a very good year."
In other areas, Thorn said:
-- The Nets plan to either trade guard Jeff McInnis or attempt to reach a buyout.
-- Recently signed center Mile Ilic has been working diligently since arriving two weeks ago, but the 22-year-old is still "a work in progress," so don't expect him to play much early in the season.
-- Guard Jay Williams has been invited to join the team, but can't report to training camp before signing a contract -- which is expected to happen within the week. Williams continues to work hard to get back on the court after his serious motorcycle accident in 2003. But he is not as athletic as he was coming out of Duke. "He believes he'll make it back. And we're certainly hopeful that he will, too."
By TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports Writer
September 26, 2006
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Whenever Vince Carter wants to discuss his contract, the New Jersey Nets are ready to listen.
While under contract for the next two seasons, Carter can opt out of his current deal after the upcoming season. Should he decide to stay, the All-Star guard will be paid $16 million for the 2007-08 season.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Any conversation I've had with him, he's been very consistent that he doesn't think about it," team president Rod Thorn said Tuesday, a week before the opening of training camp. "He doesn't want it to be an issue this year. When the appropriate time comes, we'll address it."
The Nets have until June 30 to extend Carter's current contract for up to three years. If that doesn't happen, Carter, who will earn about $15 million this season, could become a free agent.
Thorn has seen Kurt Schoeppler, Carter's agent, a few times over the summer, but they have not spoken about a contract.
There probably will be some negotiations next spring, Thorn guessed.
"He is very happy where he is," Thorn said of Carter, who led the Nets in scoring last season with a 24.2 average. "He likes his teammates. He likes playing here, but right now he is very content to see what happens. I mean he has an extra year at a huge amount of money, so it's not like there is pressure on him."
Schoeppler did not immediately return a telephone message left at his IMG office in Cleveland.
In a wide-ranging interview, Thorn also said the Nets' decision to extend their lease to play at the Continental Airlines Arena through 2013 was protection in the event the team's planned new arena in Brooklyn, N.Y., is delayed. The team hopes to move in for the 2009-10 season.
"There is no final date," Thorn said. "It's still a work in progress. It will happen at some point in time. As to exactly when that point in time is, I don't think any of us know."
Looking at the team, Thorn believes the starting lineup of Carter, Jason Kidd, Nenad Krstic, Richard Jefferson and Jason Collins is one of the best in the league.
Thorn said Carter and Kidd are in their prime and Jefferson is approaching his. Krstic continues to make major strides and Collins is finally healthy.
The big concern is, again, the bench. It did not perform well last season and must step up this year despite being very young.
Forward Clifford Robinson and recently signed guard Eddie House should provide a veteran presence along with center Mikki Moore. Antoine Wright will be given a chance to play more in his third season, as will Bostjan Nachbar. The question marks will be the rookies, including first-round draft pick Marcus Williams, the Connecticut point guard, and second-round choice Hassam Adams, who spent the summer recovering from a foot injury.
Forward Josh Boone, the Nets' other first-round pick from UConn, will be sidelined until at least midseason following shoulder surgery in July.
"He's coming along fine," Thorn said. "I think he's feeling real frisky and real good at this time, but historically that sort of operation ends up taking four to six months.
"I thought we'd be pretty good and we ended up being pretty good last year," Thorn added. "We had some ups and downs. So with the added development of Krstic this year -- and he's a very good player -- there's no reason this can't be a very good year."
In other areas, Thorn said:
-- The Nets plan to either trade guard Jeff McInnis or attempt to reach a buyout.
-- Recently signed center Mile Ilic has been working diligently since arriving two weeks ago, but the 22-year-old is still "a work in progress," so don't expect him to play much early in the season.
-- Guard Jay Williams has been invited to join the team, but can't report to training camp before signing a contract -- which is expected to happen within the week. Williams continues to work hard to get back on the court after his serious motorcycle accident in 2003. But he is not as athletic as he was coming out of Duke. "He believes he'll make it back. And we're certainly hopeful that he will, too."