The Nets want Shareef Abdur-Rahim, but the one thing they are not prepared to pay is the price of a first-round draft pick, Rod Thorn reiterated on Tuesday.

The Nets president said he did not speak with Portland general manager John Nash on Tuesday, who is holding the Nets up for a No. 1 pick in exchange for agreeing to do a sign-and-trade deal that will get the free-agent forward the $37 million contract he believes he deserves.

Thorn is eager to give Abdur-Rahim his market value. He just doesn't want to give in to Nash and Blazers owner Paul Allen, who seem just as eager to let Abdur-Rahim leave Portland without compensation they could have in the form of a $4.9 million trade exception that can be used in future deals.

The Nets have multiple upcoming first round picks.

"That's fair. Everyone looks at things differently," Thorn said last night from Las Vegas. "But I'm not interested in giving up one of our No. 1 picks, I'll say that."

Thorn and GM Ed Stefanski met with Stromile Swift in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Swift, while not nearly as polished as Abdur-Rahim, would be a fair consolation prize, as he is longer, blocks more shots and runs the floor better.