The Nets are trying complete a sign-and-trade with Portland for Shareef Abdur-Rahim so they can spend their mid-level exception on Miami point guard Keyon Dooling - who will visit the Nets this week - and perhaps a shooter such as Jon Barry or a forward like Malik Allen.
According to several sources, the Nets have offered their $4.9 million trade exception along with a future lottery-protected first-round pick that extends beyond the 2006 draft. The Blazers appear to be fixated on acquiring Nets' second-round pick Mile Ilic, but the Nets have no intention of surrendering the 7-1 center.
"We don't have a deal," Portland GM John Nash said. "The Nets know (what it will take)."
If Nash rejects the offer, the Nets will be forced to try to deal part, if not all, of the trade exception to another team for a free agent like Dooling or risk losing it when it expires near the end of the month.
The Blazers could lose Abdur-Rahim for nothing since the former All-Star has agreed to join the Nets for their mid-level exception - worth roughly $5 million - if a sign-and-trade cannot be executed.
"Shareef wants to play in New Jersey next year," said agent Aaron Goodwin, whose client passed on more lucrative offers from the Bucks and Clippers.
A sign-and-trade gives Abdur-Rahim a six-year deal worth as much as $38 million, as opposed to the five-year, $28 million pact he would have to settle for with the mid-level money.
Nets president Rod Thorn has until July 29 - or later, if the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement isn't completed by this Friday - to use his trade exception.
"We would like to get something done so we can move on in other directions," said Thorn, who is also trying to re-sign free agent Clifford Robinson. "We have had some discussions (with Portland) but we haven't gotten any place."