Nets eyeing Thornton in deadline deal
SALT LAKE CITY — As the Nets embarked on their sixgame, 11-day road swing Tuesday, management was discussing some minor deals ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, trying to shed two players with limited roles for one who might contribute to a playoff run.
Sources confirmed a Yahoo! report that the Nets were talking with the Kings about swapping two veterans — Jason Terry and Reggie Evans — for 26-year-old guard Marcus Thornton. The Nets have been shopping Terry and Evans extensively, a source said.
Terry, who has been traded twice in his long career, said he hasn’t been told anything about a deal, but plans to have a conversation with general manager Billy King.
“You’re not sure if it’s going to happen either way,” he said. “But for me, if it is, I’d rather know than just be kind of in limbo for two or three days, especially at this point in my career so you can better prepare yourself for it and just move on. That’s what it is.”
Every player involved in the proposed deal with the Kings has two years remaining on his contract. But the Nets would have to spend more money in salaries and luxury taxes if they acquire Thornton, which would push their record-breaking season figure close to $200 million.
According to Yahoo!, the Nets are also in talks with the Lakers to obtain forward Jordan Hill for the disabled player’s exception they acquired when Brook Lopez went down for the season with a broken foot. Taking on the 26-year-old Hill would cost the Nets about $17 million in salary and luxury taxes. It’s a high number for a career backup and could test Mikhail Prokhorov’s limits.
The Nets (23-27), who face the Jazz on Wednesday, played the first half of the sea- son as if they’re more than just a small addition from competing for a title.
“Does this team need to make a move? This team needs to get prepared for this West Coast trip,” coach Jason Kidd said. “Management takes care of the moves.”
So why would the Nets want Thornton? In his first two seasons with the Kings, he averaged nearly 20 points. Just last month, he scored 42 in a loss to the Pacers — which is the same amount Terry and Evans have combined to score for all of February. The Nets could use scoring punch from a guard off the bench. But Thornton has also been in and out of the Kings’ rotation this season because of his shaky defense. There is a reason Sacramento has been shopping him since the season started.
Evans, who was Brooklyn’s leading rebounder last season before losing his spot in the rotation under Kidd, called the latest rumors “typical NBA s---. When you have four kids and you’re in the league for 12 years, it’s hard to focus on that. That’s pretty much irrelevant.”
Asked if he desired a change of scenery for the possibility of more playing time, Evans focused on Brooklyn’s games this weekend against the Warriors and Lakers.
“I’m looking forward to going to California — to San Francisco and L.A., so we can have some good weather,” he said. “I was just in good weather in Florida (during the All-Star break). So I’m definitely looking for that change.”
While the Nets involved in the proposed trade were trying to downplay any anxiety involved with the deadline, Deron Williams — who was dealt from the Jazz to the Nets three years ago — acknowledged it is a distraction.
“People like to say it doesn’t wear on them, but when your name is being thrown out there it’s hard not to think about,” Williams said.