<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">All-Star guard Vince Carter's uncertain contract status probably will not influence the New Jersey Nets' selection at No. 17 overall in the NBA Draft on Thursday night. While saying the team expects Carter to opt out of his contract, Nets president Rod Thorn sounded optimistic Wednesday that his shooting guard will be back next season. "With him saying he wants to be here and with us wanting to sign him, hopefully, we'll be able to make some accommodation there at some point in time," Thorn said. Carter could opt out of his contract as early as Saturday. Kurt Schoeppler, Carter's agent, did not immediately return a telephone call at his Cleveland office seeking comment on Wednesday. The two sides are said to be close to an agreement on a new four-year deal. "I have been doing this for so long, until we have an agreement, until you sign something, it's really irrelevant," Thorn said. Assuming that Carter returns, the Nets' biggest needs heading into the draft are at power forward and center. "I wouldn't take somebody who was a mediocre two, let's say, just because Vince may or may not do something," Thorn said.</div> Source: Philadelphia News
