"It was not a very smart move," Jefferson said after the Nets practiced here in preparation for tonight's game in Wilkes Barre, Pa., against the Knicks - Mutombo's likely next employer.

"We're in the business of winning games. We understand financially that might have been better. If you're trying to sell the team it was a good move but how do you tell the guys, 'Hey, we're going to hurt your chances of winning a championship so we can save a little bit of money?' Isn't that kind of an oxymoron?