Now that Shareef Abdur-Rahim is out of their grasp, the New Jersey Nets are still trying to trade guard Kerry Kittles, now setting their sights on Clippers backup bigman Chris Wilcox according to a report in today's New York Post by Marc Berman.

The Clippers have more than enough room to accept Kittles without taking on any additional salary, and after receiving three first round draft choices from the Nuggets in exchange for Kenyon Martin there is hardly a neeed for more.

The Nets are trying to find a replacement forward for Martin who bolted for the Nuggets, and they are using Kittles as their primary source of trade bait.  Kittles, despite his $9.8 million salary, has value on the market since he is entering the final year of his contract, meaning in twelve months he becomes valuable cap space to the team who owns his rights.

The Nets and Portland Trail Blazers appeared to be perfect trading companions should they have decided to swap Kittles plus extras for Abdur-Rahim, but the Blazers decided to sign Minnesota restricted free agent Trenton Hassell to a large offer sheet instead, eliminating their need for a guard.

"Portland blew an excellent opportunity and the Nets blew a chance to replace Kenyon Martin," Abdur-Rahim's agent Aaron Goodwin said. "I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't disappointed."