New Jersey Nets guard/forward Vince Carter has exercised the option to forgo the final year of his contract, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today.

?We fully expected Vince to exercise his option,? said Thorn.  ?We have stated publicly that we would like to bring him back, and will now work towards that goal.?

The Nets are trying to make themselves an Eastern power by adding an All-Star big man to their roster.

They have had discussions with the Indiana Pacers about Jermaine O'Neal, offering Richard Jefferson and Nenad Krstic as the two biggest pieces, multiple league sources said. Other players may have to be involved to make it work for salary cap purposes.

Indiana wanted Marcus Williams, too, but the Nets are reluctant to part with the talented point guard. That could change, of course.

New Jersey would rather give up Jason Collins than Krstic, but Indiana wants a scoring big man back. The Lakers also are trying to get O'Neal, but likely won't be able to if they don't part with Andrew Bynum.

As reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo, multiple league sources are saying that the Nets have made an offer of Richard Jefferson, Nenad Krstic and Jason Collins to the Pacers for Jermaine O'Neal.  There are no picks involved so the deal can wait until July.

The Trail Blazers and Knicks are having "serious discussions" about a trade that would send Zach Randolph and Martell Webster to the Knicks for Steve Francis and Channing Frye.  The parties have exchanged variations on the deal but all combinations would result in Randolph heading to New York.  It is unclear whether there are picks involved so this too may be a deal that can be consummated after the draft.

The Washington Wizards are taking a serious look at Italian guard Marco Belinelli as their choice for the 16th pick.  

Sean Williams, the controversial big man who was dismissed from his Boston College club, may be the Nets' selection at number 17.

Rod Thorn says it is not likely that he will trade any of the Nets' successful trio of Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson.

Thorn disputed the rumor that the Nets would deal Jefferson to Portland for Zach Randolph.

"We have not had any substantive talks with anyone regarding Zach Randolph at this time," he said. "I would not anticipate something like that transpiring."

The Nets expect Carter to opt out of his existing contract but believe that a new contract can be agreed upon to keep the all-star in New Jersey.

Nenad Krstic knows what the Nets missed during their playoff series loss to the Cavaliers last month: someone who could battle under the basket and give them some kind of interior presence - namely, Krstic himself. But the center had to watch from the bench because of the left ACL injury he suffered in December.

Despite Krstic's expected comeback in time for the start of next season, the Nets are shopping for a big man. They are expected to take one in the draft tomorrow, when they will pick 17th. The Nets do not have a second-round selection.

If they can't find a suitable player in the draft, the Nets could try to swing a deal for an established frontcourt player. If Krstic returns to the form he flashed before tearing his ACL on Dec.22, he'll have no problem retaining his starting role. However, if he gets off to a slow start, his job could be in jeopardy. In addition to whatever new player they might bring in, the Nets are also expected to re-sign Mikki Moore, who played well as Krstic's replacement last season.

There is a good chance that the New Jersey Nets will sign Vince Carter for the next four years, avoiding the possibility that Carter could bolt via free agency, the New York Daily News is reporting.

Carter and the Nets likely will reach an agreement on a contract extension before Saturday, the last day Carter can opt out of the final year of his current deal.

Though team president Rod Thorn has remained publicly cautious while speaking of negotiations with Carter's camp, general manager Ed Stefanski said in a radio interview on Friday that the team "does not expect Vince to opt out."

Carter and his agent, Kurt Schoeppler, have remained mum on the subject, but all signs point toward a deal soon.

Carter has been working out regularly at the Nets' practice facility in East Rutherford, along with Jason Kidd, who has made it clear that he'd like Carter to remain his backcourt mate. Thorn admitted that Carter's presence at the Nets' headquarters is somewhat meaningful.

"I would say it's a good sign," Thorn said. "It's not a done deal type of sign, but I'd say that it's a sign that he likes it here, he likes his teammates and he wants to stay here."

According to sources, if Carter agrees to an extension before Saturday's deadline, he'll get a new deal that would keep him in New Jersey through the 2010-11 season, paying him roughly $15 million per season. His current deal calls for him to be paid just over $16 million next season. If he tested the free-agent market, Carter might be hard-pressed to get a deal longer than three years.

Rod Thorn reiterated that the Nets have had ?no conversations? with the Blazers regarding power forward Zach Randolph, who has a low post offense the Nets could sorely use (but he plays little defense).

Another league source said a deal for Randolph that could involve Richard Jefferson is not completely far-fetched, although he terms it as having a ?long, long shot? of getting done. ?I would say the Nets? interest is at a small percentage at best,? the source said.

Once the Nets get Vince Carter's signature on a four-year, $60 million contract, insiders say they'll investigate making a move for Portland's Zach Randolph.

Vince Carter is expected to opt out of his deal, but is likely to remain a Net.

By all accounts the sides are close to working out a deal. One league source said he's "98 percent sure something will be done." Another said, "[Carter] is going to be a Net, no doubt."

The Nets did have a scout attend Sean Williams' workout in Houston earlier this month, and came away very impressed.

Williams was kicked off Boston College's team in January and he did not attend the pre-draft camp in Orlando.