With the Nets focused on bringing free agent big man Shareef Abdur-Rahim to New Jersey, another popular forward could be on his way out.
Free agent Brian Scalabrine reached an agreement in principle to play for the Boston Celtics, according to several league sources.
"If that is the case, I have nothing but great things to say about him," Nets president Rod Thorn said. "He did a wonderful job for us, and I wish him nothing but the best. Brian's a terrific guy."
Scalabrine, who was drafted by New Jersey in 2001, was instrumental in the Nets reaching the playoffs last season.
He started the final eight games, averaging 11 points in helping the Nets to a 7-1 mark. They clinched a playoff spot the last day of the season by beating the Celtics in Boston.
Scalabrine's new pact is a five-year, $15 million deal, the sources said. But according to the new collective bargaining agreement, teams can't sign free agents until July 22.
"If I go to another place, I am leaving on good terms with the fans and the New Jersey Nets organization," Scalabrine said.
The Nets were hoping after they reached an agreement with a power forward that they could do something with Scalabrine. But the amount Boston is giving him may be more than the Nets are willing to spend.
Their attention remains on Abdur-Rahim, who came to New Jersey on Wednesday for a two-day visit.
Abdur-Rahim ate dinner with a Nets contingent at night. Today, he and his wife, Dee, will tour the practice facility, meet owner Bruce Ratner and dine with Jason Kidd, among others.
Securing Abdur-Rahim is first and foremost on the Nets' summer to-do list. They aren't signing anyone else until Abdur-Rahim makes a decision.
Abdur-Rahim is said to be as intrigued with the Nets as they are enamored with him. But he must be willing to play for the $4.9 million midlevel exception. Other suitors, such as the Spurs, Kings, Wizards and Magic, could offer more.
The Nets hope Abdur-Rahim's relationship with coach Lawrence Frank - they were with the Grizzlies together - and that he and Kidd went to the same college can help lure the Blazers forward to New Jersey.
"Unless you have somebody signed, you don't have anybody signed," Thorn said. "We've reached no agreements with anybody. You have to protect yourself."
Thus, Thorn and general manager Ed Stefanski have been in daily contact with the agents for Donyell Marshall, Stromile Swift and Kwame Brown. They comprise the Nets' fallback plan if Abdur-Rahim doesn't work out, with Marshall serving as their next option.
The Nets hope they can use their $4.98 million trade exception in a sign-and-trade for one of the free-agent big men. If they can do that, they could split their midlevel exception on Keyon Dooling and Darius Songaila and then fill out the roster with minimum-salary players.
But the Nets must use the trade exception by July 29. Early indications are that Portland isn't interested in it.
Source: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... h_celtics/
