The New York Daily News reports that both the Knicks and Nets have talked to the Denver Nuggets about a possible deal to acquire the former St. John's point guard.

Cook has become expendable in Denver since the Nuggets acquired the rights to Kenny Satterfield from Dallas last week. The move came largely because Cook and the Nuggets were at an impasse in contract talks. Cook wanted a two-year guarantee similar to fellow second-round pick Gilbert Arenas, but the Nuggets balked.

Two NBA sources, though, said last night that the Nets are "the frontrunner" for Cook at the moment and perhaps could trade a future pick and an unspecified amount of cash for Cook, who was selected in the second round (32nd overall) by Orlando before being dealt to Denver.

If you have followed the Nets recently - admit it, a couple of you have - you won't recognize the team when it reports for the start of training camp Tuesday.

We were teased this summer about the possibility of Jayson Williams making a comeback, just like that bald superstar in Washington. In fact, at some point I bet there was a rumor that Williams was going to join Jordan in D.C.

The main reason Williams never seriously considered a comeback is because of money. Namely, he'd lose alot of the $86 million contract that is now being paid by insurance companies. Thus his career really seems as though it's over.

Or is it?

The Star-Ledger reports that the 33-year-old Williams hinted, without getting into specifics, that he might revisit the situation in three years when the six-year, $86-million contract he signed just a few months before suffering the injury expires. Williams would be 36 at the time and out of the league for five full seasons. Take that, Michael Jordan.

Meanwhile, Williams will work for NBC this season in the studio. Kudos to NBC for the move.

New Jersey coach Byron Scott yesterday sent a stern warning to shooting guard Kerry Kittles - You must beat out Lucious Harris if you want to start.  "If I had to plot one [starting lineup] out, I don't know I would say it would be Kerry," said Scott, who is prepping for the start of training camp next week. "I'd say it would be a slash between Kerry and Lucious. He hasn't played in a year. Luscious has."

Kittles, however, seems like he is more focused on just playing rather than starting at this stage.  "Obviously, we'll have to see where I'm at when the season starts with my conditioning and how well I'm doing as far as minutes. I'll know after training camp," Kittles said.  

Added Scott "It's not a given that Kerry is the starter. It's like training camp for a rookie. You've got to prove it to me. I've seen enough that shows me he can play. There's no doubt about it, he can definitely help us if he stays healthy but he has to come into camp to prove it."

The Nets announced yesterday that proceeds from walk-up ticket sales from their two home preseason games will be donated to the families of police and firemen who died as a result of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center.

Nets center Todd MacCulloch always loved flying, writes the New York Post. His dad, a pilot with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, frequently took his sons up so there never was a fear of airplanes. As he grew older, MacCulloch usually was the rock aboard flights. He was the one who soothed nerves, who explained turbulence, who allayed fears with a hitch.

"I've always kind of been the one trying to help people get over their fear of flying so I don't want to allow myself to become afraid to fly," MacCulloch said in the wake of the horrifying terrorist attacks that have numbed the planet. "But this changes everything. I haven't really had time to think about it but eventually it will sink in and it will change the way all of us fly."