Jeff McInnis said the Nets are stopping him from resuming his NBA career, and hinted that coach Lawrence Frank is behind it.

"Not playing me is one thing, but having a personal grudge against me is another thing," McInnis, in his first remarks since being told to stay away from the team before last season's playoffs, said in a phone interview. "I have a family just like he's got a family, and he knows who I'm talking about."

"He called my phone all summer last year to get me to come there. If I don't work out, I don't work out. But I've got a family to support. He's trying to hinder that by all this."

"They said nobody wants me. Release me, and we'll see."

McInnis' agent, Steve Kauffman, contends Frank has hurt his client's value around the league by badmouthing him to other coaches. Kauffman also said he's considering litigation as a last resort, a tactic McInnis seemed to endorse.

"It's gotten antagonistic and I predict it will only get more so," Kauffman said.

"If I have to [sit out the whole season], I will," McInnis said. "But it ain't going to be that simple. There are going to be other steps taken and all that."