The Nets are thinking about their roster. When the new season starts, they will have 11 guaranteed contracts, 2 exceptions and the #24 pick. Steve Adamek of The Record reports that they know that the odds are against them finding a serviceable player with their first round pick, so the Nets are trying to trade out of the first round to avoid another guaranteed contract.

Team officials plan this week to begin working out players who might be available June 26 if the Nets keep their first-round choice. But trading out of the first round will allow them some roster flexibility if they choose to use their $4.5 million and $1.4 million exceptions.

Although players such as point guards Jamaal Tinsley and Tony Parker were drafted last year after the 24th overall pick and Andrei Kirilenko, a member of this year's All-Rookie first team, was drafted 24th by the Jazz three years ago, this year's draft isn't considered terribly deep. So, rather than lock themselves into the three-year guaranteed deal for a first-round pick who might not be much help next season, the Nets might just gamble in the second round, where contracts aren't guaranteed and they already have the 54th pick.