Traylor fails physical, Nets' hole at 4 deepens

Tractor not rolling to N.J.

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

By AL IANNAZZONE
STAFF WRITER

The Nets, and their fans, must feel like they're suffering from déjà vu.

For the second time this summer, the Nets backed out of an agreement with a player because of a failed physical. This could be the first time in NBA history that has happened to one team.

Team president Rod Thorn announced Tuesday that veteran power forward Robert "Tractor" Traylor failed his physical and will not be joining the Nets. Earlier this summer, the Nets rescinded a sign-and-trade for Shareef Abdur-Rahim because of a knee condition.

"We had something he wasn't aware of," Thorn said of Traylor. "Our feeling was we couldn't accept him."

Thorn wouldn't specify what kept him from signing Traylor, but he said it was different in nature than Abdur-Rahim's situation. This summer has been bizarre even for a team that has become accustomed to wacky off-seasons.

Traylor had agreed to a one-year deal for $1.6 million to give the Nets minutes off the bench at power forward. By nullifying the deal, New Jersey still has the $1.6 million remaining from the midlevel exception to sign a power forward and/or shooter.

The Nets are looking for help at both positions. The big men they could go after include restricted free agent Darius Songaila, who is being pursued heavily by Chicago; Andrew DeClercq, Calvin Booth and Obinna Ekezie. The shooters they're interested in are Casey Jacobsen, Wesley Person, Dermarr Johnson, Richie Frahm and Jason Kapono.

Rumors are swirling that the Raptors may waive veteran swingman Lamond Murray, who played with Jason Kidd at California. If they do, the Nets are prepared to pounce on Murray, a career 11.9-point scorer.

In related news, small forward Linton Johnson has agreed to terms on a one-year guaranteed deal with the Nets. Don't worry - Thorn said, Johnson passed his physical.

I just want this offseason to end already.. when you're hot on the tail of Darius Sognalia as your No.1 available option to play behind Jason Collins you know ur fucked

Hahahaha I woulda taken Shareef anyway..

Maybe Songaila can step up like he did when Webber was gone..

i would think if you could land a player like songalia for only 1.6 mil to backup the PF position, that's pretty good value

Songaila is for sure better choice then Andrew DeClercq, Calvin Booth and Obinna Ekezie anyway. And he improved a lot, just like air said, he would be a nice backup PF.

Nets can't get a break. First Shareef and now Traylor.

Songalia is better then Traylor imo.

maybe the nets wanna think about getting some new doctors.....

the doctors do seem on the anal side....and it's not wonder that Traylor failed his physical, look at him....there was no way he could pass if Reef failed....

That's a bummer, I was all amped about seeing a line-up of Kidd, Carter, Jefferson, Traylor (Abdur-Rahim) and Krstic but now...

Well done on New Jersey attaining Linton Johnson III (if anyone noticed)

But they should offer Songailalalaladida 1.6 mil instead

At least the hardwood in East Rutherford will have a longer lifespan now...

The fat ass failed the physical lol..

At least the hardwood in East Rutherford will have a longer lifespan now...

rofl

I remember when he first came out of college.. how everyone thought he would actually be good..

He was even in a Nike commerical, and I was thinking, wtf, how could any fat ass be a good player? Look at what happened to Oliver Miller!

Apparently thats what a Nets Phisical looks like...cuz damn near no one can do it...

^^Nice
Although you forgot to put the picture of the triathlon they have to compete in...

after getting burned by zo and to some extent dikembe, i can understand why they don't want to take any financial risks on players anymore

That's true, but the risk wouldn't quite be the same, especially with 'Reef considering he's been fairly durable throughout his career.

after buying out the last 2 of mutombo's contract= over 27 mil iirc plus whatever alonzo got (full MLE over a few yrs?)... that's a lot money going towards nothing. i'm with NJ management if they're hesistant any taking on risky players, no matter high orlow risk the player is

When you put the actual amount on it, it is easier to see where they're coming from but you have to wonder where it will stop.

NJ dont deserved those crap players..

But Mutombo was already Old and Zo was coming off a career ending injury.

Houston badly needed a back up center to Yao Ming thats why they still hire dikembe Mutombo.and alonzo?i think he still deserve to play,he is the new "intensity" player for the Heat Oh man Shaq-Zo team up is for real..Alonzo is a warrior.