http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/story/325456p-278200c.html A meeting with Nets owner Bruce Ratner is on the itinerary. Jason Kidd and part owner Jay-Z could be involved as well. Starting today, the Nets will indulge Shareef Abdur-Rahim with red-carpet treatment in hopes of landing their top free-agent target. Over Abdur-Rahim's two-day visit to New Jersey, the Nets will attempt to persuade the 6-9 power forward to take either their $4.9 million mid-level exception or $4.9 million trade exception. Abdur-Rahim, who is also reportedly slated to visit Sacramento later, is the key to the Nets having a successful summer. While the Nets are also interested in free-agent forwards like Donyell Marshall and Stromile Swift and restricted free agents such as Kwame Brown, their ideal successor to Kenyon Martin is Abdur-Rahim. The Nets, who have yet to make an offer, would ideally like to sign Abdur-Rahim to a four-year or five-year deal worth between $22 million and $28 million. Abdur-Rahim, however, could command a deal as large as six years and $38 million if he and the Nets can work a sign-and-trade with Portland for the $4.9 million trade exception before July29, when the trade exception expires. Nets coach Lawrence Frank visited with Abdur-Rahim and free-agent guard Keyon Dooling last week. The Nets want to secure Abdur-Rahim before trying to land other free agents. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why isn't SAR giving us a sniff, can't we offer him the same deal and give him a bigger take home check without a state tax. Looks like most teams are in the same boat, limited to spending the MLE on FAs so its going to come down to intangibles to sign these guys. I like what the Nets are doing, roll out the red carper and bring out the dog and pony. Lets recruit Hakeem to talk to SAR and sell him on the Rox, get Yao and T-Mac involved to tell these FAs what a great situation they would be getting into. CD lets make these guys feel important, send the corporate jet to pick up these guys, spare no expense while they're in town.
We don't have that sort of trade exception. The idea being, Portland could re-sign SAR to a 6 year deal, rather than the 5 that Jersey could sign him for with the MLE. So Portland signs and trades SAR for a draft pick or such.
Another NY Post article on SAR. I'm disappointed that Houston is not in the running. http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets/25730.htm SHAREEF LIKES NETS BUT WILL SHOP AROUND By FRED KERBER To Shareef Abdur-Rahim, it's a two-way street for him and the Nets. "They have a very good team, a team that can win," the 6-9 prized free agent said yesterday on the eve of visiting the Nets for a two-day recruiting trip. "I can complement them in a lot of ways. And they certainly can help me." But with stiff competition for Abdur-Rahim from the likes of the world champion Spurs, the Nets are trying every ploy they can to ensure that the Portland power forward's road ends in New Jersey. "Really, for the most part, I like everything about the Nets' situation. Even now, they are one of the top three or four teams in the East," said Abdur-Rahim, 28, who then added the dreaded "but" to the equation. "But I'm keeping my options wide open. We're speaking to other teams. Although I like the situation, myself and Aaron [attorney Goodwin] will weigh all my options, listen to everybody," continued Abdur-Rahim, who said the Spurs, Heat, Wizards and Kings also are courting him. "I don't want to lead anybody on." To land Abdur-Rahim, the hub of the Nets' summer free-agent plans, coach Lawrence Frank met him in Atlanta Friday, the first day negotiating could begin. Frank, who has a strong relationship with the 19.8 career scorer since their Vancouver days, was armed with a video containing the likes of Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson each making a recruiting pitch. There was a puzzle with Abdur-Rahim and Keyon Dooling (target No. 2) as the final pieces. Frank also met Dooling in person and the Heat guard was said to be impressed with the attention. "That was really great," Abdur-Rahim said, obviously pleased with the video presentation. "It made me feel wanted." So the Nets will wine and dine Abdur-Rahim, give him a tour of their practice facility, and have him speak with Kidd (a fellow Cal product). On Thursday, Abdur-Rahim will meet with principal owner Bruce Ratner. Abdur-Rahim and Kidd have played "phone tag," the forward said, since the free-agency period started. "He left a message on the first. I called and left a message back," said Abdur-Rahim, a 2000 Olympic teammate of Kidd. "We know each other's games. We're familiar with one another. Still, him calling me is big. I appreciate it." Almost as much as the Nets would appreciate him inking a contract when signing starts July 22. Ideally, the Nets want Abdur-Rahim through a sign-and-trade with Portland. The Nets have a $4.9 million trade exception, normally used with a draft pick or cash, plus their mid-level exception, also $4.9 million. But the mid-level they would like to keep to sign other free agents. The key is Abdur-Rahim, who despite his numbers has never been on a winning team. "He's been a 20-plus scorer and a high defensive rebounder," team president Rod Thorn praised. "He's a wonderful character guy, works hard every night. He's been in some unfortunate situations. He started with an expansion team, then went to Atlanta and Portland when they weren't at their best."
Dissappointing we are not in the picture for SAR and not doing a full court press with him (along with Swift and Walker). I hope it means we think Swift or Walker are in the bag, because otherwise we should be exploring all decent options. Clearly the teams if SAR wants the best chance to win a title would be us and the Heat. (I can't see the Spurs in there as a viable spot, don't they have a pretty good PF already and doesn't SAR not want to play SF? Spurs also signed Horry as a back-up PF in a 3 year deal, can't imagine they would done that if they were seeking another PF.) I don't get the fuss about the Nets. Were they not the 8th seed and a team that got swept in the 1st round. They are more than 1-2 role players from competing with Miami or Detriot. Don't they have big taxes in NJ or NY state? I don't know if they get extra attention as the 2nd New York team (manufactored interest) or if there is real FA interest in them.
Spurs and Heat obviously make sense if he wants a ring, not simply just to win like it has been rumored. Wizards? Okay so that would leave what....4, 20 PPG scorers? Gimme a break. Kings? That mess of a team needs a leader, something SAR is not. Sure, he could put up decent numbers there but that team is going to get worse before it gets any better. Nets? Didn't he mention he wants to win?? Which leaves Houston, and to echo what many have already said, WHY NOT THEN??
Look at the comments from Dooling and SAR, smoozing really does make a difference. CD get on the stick with the red carpet treatment for the guy you really want. Get T-Mac and Yao involved, make these guys feel special.
