Jason Kidd could have ended so much suspense. Here he was in front of a national TV audience and the question was asked if he could say with certainty that he'd be a Net next season.

"I can't. The door is open. I've got to play my free agency out. I would love to be a Net but I've got to look at all my options," said Kidd, who later said losing a second straight title would have no impact on his free agency decision. "That has no bearing on what I will decide this summer.

"Again, this is my second time coming short of a championship, so I've got to find a team or stay with the Nets that has a better chance of winning that championship trophy. That's what I play this game for."

And so the end of the Finals means the start of a lot more work for Nets management.