New Jersey Nets forward Josh Boone underwent successful arthroscopic surgery today, Wednesday, May 30, to repair torn cartilage in his right knee, Nets President Rod Thorn announced.  The surgery was performed by Dr. Riley Williams III at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

The 6-10 product out of UConn will start rehab immediately.  Boone is expected to be ready for training camp in October.

Despite Vince Carter's disappointing postseason, the Knicks still have interest in pursuing the Nets high-flyer if he becomes a free agent July 1, a source close to Isiah Thomas told The Post.

The Knicks plan to revisit trade discussions they held with the Nets before the Feb. 23 deadline.

"They will do their due diligence with him," the source said of Carter.

The Knicks would have to work out a sign-and-trade agreement with the Nets. The Knicks, however, are wary of Carter's reported interest in getting a 3-year, $60 million deal - which they consider a long-term investment on a 30-year-old on the downhill portion of his career.

Thomas has stated the Knicks are not looking to use their $5 million mid-level exception on a free agent and aren't interested in adding to the payroll and luxury-tax bill.

Before the trade deadline, the Knicks offered the Nets a package of Channing Frye, Malik Rose and Jerome James (the latter two of which own bad contracts for their production) for Carter. The Nets declined, though they like Frye. It is believed they also asked about rookie Renaldo Balkman, who would look great on the fastbreak with Jason Kidd.

Vince Carter has the option to see what he can get on the open market, and all indications are that he will.

"It appears as if he's headed for free agency," Nets' president Rod Thorn said. "We'll see what happens. We would like to sign him, if we can agree on a contract."

The Nets have until June 30 to extend Carter's contract or he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Thorn has had some negotiations with Carter's agent, Kurt Schoeppler, but the discussions went nowhere.

Sources said the Nets' offer is between $42 million and $48 million over three years, but Carter wants closer to $20 million per season.

"His public posture is he would like to stay here, but he obviously would like to get the best possible contract he can get," Thorn said Monday after conducting exit interviews with the players. "Sometimes those two things mesh. Sometimes they don't."

According to NorthJersey.com, Richard Jefferson could be packaged for a big man if Carter is re-signed.

Free agent Mikki Moore said he would give the Nets a hometeam discount if the offers are close, because "it would be crazy for me to walk away from an organization that has given me a lot."

Vince Carter said on Monday that the proximity to his daughter, Kai -- or even to his off-season home in Orlando, Fla. -- would have no bearing on where he plays next season, or on the decision to opt out of his contract.

"I've been able to cope with it now, been able to make it work," said Carter, whose divorce agreement is merely awaiting signatures, with his wife getting custody of their daughter. "I don't think that's an issue. It's always great to be close, but you know, I think all my life I've been away from my family, so that's not like a big deal. It's a little different when you have a child, but at the same time, we've made it work."

With Jason Kidd and Vince Carter being good friends and the cornerstones of the Nets' franchise, if Carter leaves then Kidd could request a trade, according to Julian Garcia of the New York Daily News.

While Rod Thorn said on Saturday that the chances he'd trade Kidd are "very slim," he also said he wouldn't guarantee that it wouldn't happen. The Lakers are believed to be very interested in acquiring Kidd and have the type of young talent - 19-year-old center Andrew Bynum - that it would take.

Rod Thorn said Saturday that both Jason Kidd and Vince Carter are likely to be back next season despite speculation that one or both could be used as bait to reel in younger, less expensive talent.

But Kidd's play during the postseason convinced Thorn that he's too valuable to get rid of, which is why Thorn said the chances that he'd include the point guard in any deal were "very slim."

"I think his play of the last month just reemphasizes how good this guy is," Thorn said. "Just his effort, his will, his never-say-die attitude - he's one heck of a player."

Nets coach Lawrence Frank, hurting from another playoff defeat, said it wasn't time just yet to talk about next year. But some players, including Vince Carter, made their intentions known. And Carter thinks he'll be back in New Jersey.

"We'll see what happens," said Carter, who can opt out of the final year of his deal worth $16-plus million and become a free agent. "But I definitely see myself (back). I fit in well; we built something special the three of us - myself, J-Kidd (Jason Kidd) and R.J. (Richard Jefferson) Getting (Nenad) Krstic back, Mikki (Moore) and Boki (Nachbar), we have a great nucleus of guys, I'd like to keep them together."

Moore has been everywhere, from New Jersey to Boston to Utah to Seattle and points in between. And after getting a return ticket to New Jersey for another chance to play for the Nets, he said he hopes his wandering days are over.

"I want to stay here. As long as they want me here, I'll be here," said Moore, who went from reserve to starter to integral piece for the Nets, who last night failed to force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinals by losing Game 6, 88-72 to Cleveland in the Meadowlands. "I don't have any desires to mess up a good opportunity for me. If the whole team was intact, we would be one of the elite teams in the league.

"They have to make a decision, but I definitely would take (less than other offers) to stay around here," Moore said.

The Nets' "Big Three" left the floor having been eliminated from the playoffs by the Cavaliers.  And it may prove to be the last game the trio ever plays together in New Jersey.

Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson have had a successful run that may be coming to an end.  

Speculation is prevalent that Rod Thorn will look to bolster his frontcourt this coming off-season.  To upgrade the Nets' core of bigs substantially, one or more of the three wing players may have to go.

The Nets shopped Kidd during the February trading period and may do so again.  Carter has an early-termination option in his contract that will allow him to become a free agent.

LeBron James will play Friday in game six of the Cavaliers' playoff series against the Nets, the team announced Thursday.

The visiting Cavaliers lead the series 3-2 and can clinch the best-of-seven matchup with a road victory. If the Nets win, they will force a seventh game here on Sunday to decide which team advances to the Eastern Conference final.

James suffered a bruised right knee and minor scrape when he crashed into his team's bench while battling New Jersey's Jason Kidd for a loose ball in the final seconds of an Nets victory here Wednesday.