As owner Bruce C. Ratner takes the reins, the new cost-cutting directive for Nets management could have an immediate and serious impact on the team's talent level.

Concerns are mounting that the Nets may not be able to retain star free-agent Kenyon Martin.

In an effort to free up cash and avoid losing frontline talent, the team is likely to buy Lucious Harris out of his $2.5 million deal for $1 million and may also look to do the same with Rodney Rogers and the $3.35 million final year of his deal.

With interest from the Nuggets and Grizzlies in Martin, there have been some talks about deals for Nene and Stromile Swift, respectively.

Martin's camp is making it clear that he wants to stay.  "Kenyon wants to remain a Net. It's no secret his goal has been to remain in New Jersey," said Brian Dyke, Martin's agent. "Beyond that, I really have no comment."  But the issue is that the Nets may not get ownership's approval to match if another team makes the maximum offer to Martin.

The New York Times says that there could be some logic to the Nets dumping Kidd and the $90 million left on the remaining 5 years of his contract.  Besides this truckload of cash on the books, Kidd is 31 years of age, relies on speed and quickness, and will likely have off-season surgery to repair his knee.

The Nets are downplaying the possibility of dealing away the future Hall-of-Fame point guard, saying that this is all part of the off-season due diligence process to prepare the organization for any different scenario.

Meanwhile, Kerry Kittles and his $10 million + contract are being shopped around the league.

Off the success of their very first playoffs, the Memphis Grizzlies are moving up. Rightfully so, they now have new uniforms.

Grizzlies? players Lorenzen Wright, Mike Miller, James Posey, Earl Watson, Troy Bell and Theron Smith helped tip-off the new era of Grizzlies basketball by modeling the new home and away uniforms during the unveiling and public celebration.

?We as a team felt very strongly that the new logo should represent the city, the fans and our players,? said Memphis Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West. ?I?m excited about the new look and am proud that it symbolizes the energy of Memphis, the determination of the team and a united commitment to winning.?

The Memphis Grizzlies new home uniform is white, with Smoke Blue, Memphis Midnight Blue, Beale Street Blue and Grizzlies Gold trim, with the word ?Grizzlies? emblazoned across the front and the Grizzlies? logo on the lower left leg of the shorts. The Grizzlies? new road uniform has a base color of Memphis Midnight Blue, with Smoke Blue and Grizzlies Gold Trim, with the word ?Memphis? emblazoned across the front and the Grizzlies? logo on the lower left leg of the shorts.

Manufactured by Reebok, the uniforms employ Reebok Play Dry technology, a unique technology which directs the players' sweat away from their bodies. The design allows for maximum movement and is lightweight for optimum performance.

Lorenzen Wright was left exposed by the Memphis Grizzlies.  

"I'm not surprised," said Wright's agent, Robert Fayne. "We talked after the season, and we prepared for this. I told him don't read too much into being on any list. It's a very difficult decision for the team to make. And there could be a number of reasons behind it."

The Bobcats must select at least 14 players and can take just one player per team.

Wright is a high-priced veteran like many other players left exposed for Charlotte?s taking.

The Grizzlies will have a new identity and arena next year, and now a new ad agency is on board as the organization grows.

The local Memphis firm, Chandler Ehrlich, will work for the Grizzlies as it transforms itself from just a basketball team to a more wide-ranging entertainment company that will operate the FedExForum.

"Although it is not nano-technology, it does have its unique aspects," Grizzlies? president of business operations Andy Dolich said. "And once you get past the glitz and glamor of what people think the sports business is, it ultimately comes down to selling tickets and selling our product."

The firm will work under a one-year contract and the account is valued in excess of $1 million.

Antonio Burks is a native of Memphis and wants to play for the Grizzlies, who don?t have a first-round pick in this year?s NBA Draft.

Will Jerry West take Burks in the second round?

Will Burks? lobbying have any impact on his chances?  "None whatsoever," said Grizzlies player personnel director Tony Barone.

It won't hurt his chances either.  "It's not off-putting at all," Barone said. "We were very impressed by his workout. But as far as whether he'll be our pick, a lot goes into that."

The Grizzlies have the 49th pick in the Draft and would likely need to trade up to be able to nab Burks.

Jerry West is a master operating as smoothly as ever these days.

Despite his disappointment with the Memphis Grizzlies being swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs, West is upbeat and optimistic that he can put the pieces together to build on the Grizzlies? 50-win season.

In this exclusive interview, West discusses a wide range of subjects, including his anger with the aforementioned playoff exit, who on his roster is untouchable, where and how he can bolster the talent on the Grizzlies, his confidence in keeping head coach Hubie Brown and key players, trading for a quality big man, and the NBA Finals.