"There are no guarantees in professional sports," Nets GM Rod Thorn said Tuesday when asked about his reaction to criticism from Jason Kidd and the veteran center Alonzo Mourning, who signed lucrative multiyear deals with the Nets before last season. "If you want guarantees, sign a one-year contract."

Thorn's comments came after Kidd, at the Nets' media day on Monday, said: "We know we're not going to win a championship this year or next year. I mean, not with the caliber of guys that we have right now."

Had either been told that Martin would be traded one season after the signed contracts, it is doubtful either would have signed with the Nets. Even Thorn, on July 16, the day after he traded Martin to Denver for three first-round draft choices, acknowledged that the team would be worse this season.

"Well, when you lose this kind of piece, unless we get very fortunate, we are not going to be a championship contender," Thorn said at the time. "We fully expect to be a playoff contender. But again, I am not going to insult anybody's intelligence by saying we are going to be a championship contender without Kenyon."