Look For Nets To Tweak, Not Overhaul

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Rod Thorn thinks the Nets need a shake-up.

But barring the availability of a big man of Kevin Garnett's caliber, the changes the Nets' president makes likely won't involve Richard Jefferson or Vince Carter.

"I think it's hilarious when they say [Jefferson and Carter] can't play together," Thorn said the day after the Nets' season ended in Miami. "Would it be great if one of them was 7-foot? Yeah. But that's not the reality.

"The reality is that one of them [Carter] is probably in the top 15 players in the league and the other one is in the top 25 to 30 players in the league. So that's two pretty good players. How do you replace those guys?"

Carter is a favorite of owner Bruce Ratner, so if the Nets' hierarchy considers dealing him they might have to convince the man who signs the checks.

But that would only happen if the Nets are presented with an opportunity to get an All-Star-type big man. In that case, they would have to contemplate parting with Jefferson, Carter or even Jason Kidd.

Overall, Thorn is happy with his first unit. He doesn't anticipate moving any of them, perhaps least of all 22-year-old 7-footer Nenad Krstic, who will be sought after this summer.

"I never say we're not going to do anything, because you always have to look and you never know what's available," Thorn said about the starting five. "I would be surprised.

"I think our starting team is pretty good. I think our starting team is one of the best in the league."

But for the third straight year the Nets' season ended in May. They expected to be playing in June. The Heat stopped the Nets in the second round, clinching the series in five games with a 106-105 victory Tuesday night.

Whether they came back and won the game or series, Thorn said it wouldn't have changed the off-season plan, which seems to be the plan every off-season.

The Nets want to get bigger, deeper, improve their shooting and perimeter defense and, of course, find Kidd a quality backup.

"Some of the same things that we were looking for last year we'll be looking for this year," Thorn said.

"We don't have enough inside. We're going to try to add a big player or two if we can. We need to add some pieces to our team."

Thorn spoke glowingly about coach Lawrence Frank's performance this season. Thorn said there is no scenario that he can envision in which the Teaneck native wouldn't return for the 2006-07 season.

"Lawrence did a terrific job for us," Thorn said.

Frank could be more involved in getting the players he wants. His use of the bench, or lack thereof, was a major cause of frustration this season.

The Nets have decisions to make on impending free agents Jacque Vaughn and Lamond Murray. They likely have already made theirs on Cliff Robinson and Jeff McInnis.

Robinson's $2.5 million team option won't be picked up after he failed a drug test and was suspended before Game 3. McInnis likely will exercise his $3.6 million option, but he was sent away by the Nets before the playoffs and won't be back.

The Nets have two first-round picks (Nos. 22 and 23), the midlevel (roughly $5 million) and low-level exceptions (about $1.75 million) and two trade exceptions (roughly $2.1 million and $719,000) at their disposal.

They can't combine the salary-cap exceptions, but could try to package the picks and players to get usable bodies.

The 2006 free-agent class includes Drew Gooden, Melvin Ely, Chris Wilcox, Joel Pryzbilla, Tim Thomas, Keith Van Horn, Reggie Evans, Nene, Nazr Mohammed, Marcus Banks, Bobby Jackson, Justin Reed, Flip Murray, Rasual Butler and Bernard Robinson.</div>

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