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<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If the Nets don't bring over Mile Ilic for the upcoming season, he may not come here for at least one more.
Sources said several top European teams have shown interest in the Nets' 2005 second-round pick. One could buy out the 7-foot-2 Serbian's contract with FMP and sign him to a multiyear deal that would keep him from joining the Nets until 2008-09 at the earliest.
"Our first option is the Nets," said Ilic's agent, Marc Cornstein. "It just comes to a point where we just can't wait any longer. It would just be detrimental to him."
The Nets were working toward bringing Ilic here as late as last week. Things changed when 6-10 rookie Josh Boone underwent shoulder surgery, which could sideline him for six months. The Nets now want a proven frontcourt player and may not have roster room for Ilic.
Once Cliff Robinson and second-round pick Hassan Adams sign, the Nets will have 13 players under contract. They're weighing whether to use one of the remaining two spots on Ilic when they'd like to add a veteran big man and swingman/shooter.
Financially, signing Ilic now makes more sense because his buyout with FMP would be reasonable compared to what a potential new team would seek in two years. The Nets can pay $500,000 toward a buyout. The player pays the rest.
From a basketball standpoint, the Nets would rather have someone who can play right away.
To make space, the Nets could buy out Jeff McInnis, who is under contract but won't return. They offered $2.5 million, about $800,000 less than the asking price in a very preliminary conversation with his agent, sources said. </div>
Source
Sources said several top European teams have shown interest in the Nets' 2005 second-round pick. One could buy out the 7-foot-2 Serbian's contract with FMP and sign him to a multiyear deal that would keep him from joining the Nets until 2008-09 at the earliest.
"Our first option is the Nets," said Ilic's agent, Marc Cornstein. "It just comes to a point where we just can't wait any longer. It would just be detrimental to him."
The Nets were working toward bringing Ilic here as late as last week. Things changed when 6-10 rookie Josh Boone underwent shoulder surgery, which could sideline him for six months. The Nets now want a proven frontcourt player and may not have roster room for Ilic.
Once Cliff Robinson and second-round pick Hassan Adams sign, the Nets will have 13 players under contract. They're weighing whether to use one of the remaining two spots on Ilic when they'd like to add a veteran big man and swingman/shooter.
Financially, signing Ilic now makes more sense because his buyout with FMP would be reasonable compared to what a potential new team would seek in two years. The Nets can pay $500,000 toward a buyout. The player pays the rest.
From a basketball standpoint, the Nets would rather have someone who can play right away.
To make space, the Nets could buy out Jeff McInnis, who is under contract but won't return. They offered $2.5 million, about $800,000 less than the asking price in a very preliminary conversation with his agent, sources said. </div>
Source
