Brian Lewis reports that CEO Rod Thorn sings Kenyon Martin's praises, coach Lawrence Frank gives him an emphatic vote of confidence, and the restricted free agent himself wants to stay ? for the right price. Now the question is: Will new owner Bruce Ratner meet that price, likely a maximum-salary deal?

"Kenyon's a huge reason for our success," Frank said of Martin. "We [want] nothing more than to see him back. If it was my money, [I'd pay him]. It's out of my hands, but in casting my ballot, I'm 100 percent behind bringing him back."

Martin said he wants to return.

"I love it here," he said. "I love the guys, the organization, Rod, the coach. This is my No. 1 choice to be back here. But it's out of my control. There are guys making way more money than me. I just want what I feel I'm worth.

"Everybody's on the same page. Rod told you how he felt. But at the end of the day it's not his decision. He can go to bat for me until he's blue in the face, but if a higher power says no, then it's no."

Martin turned down a $66 million extension last summer. The Nets can offer him a seven-year, $105 million deal, or a six-year, $86 million pact, and he said he's worth the max.