As owner Bruce C. Ratner takes the reins, the new cost-cutting directive for Nets management could have an immediate and serious impact on the team's talent level.

Concerns are mounting that the Nets may not be able to retain star free-agent Kenyon Martin.

In an effort to free up cash and avoid losing frontline talent, the team is likely to buy Lucious Harris out of his $2.5 million deal for $1 million and may also look to do the same with Rodney Rogers and the $3.35 million final year of his deal.

With interest from the Nuggets and Grizzlies in Martin, there have been some talks about deals for Nene and Stromile Swift, respectively.

Martin's camp is making it clear that he wants to stay.  "Kenyon wants to remain a Net. It's no secret his goal has been to remain in New Jersey," said Brian Dyke, Martin's agent. "Beyond that, I really have no comment."  But the issue is that the Nets may not get ownership's approval to match if another team makes the maximum offer to Martin.

The New York Times says that there could be some logic to the Nets dumping Kidd and the $90 million left on the remaining 5 years of his contract.  Besides this truckload of cash on the books, Kidd is 31 years of age, relies on speed and quickness, and will likely have off-season surgery to repair his knee.

The Nets are downplaying the possibility of dealing away the future Hall-of-Fame point guard, saying that this is all part of the off-season due diligence process to prepare the organization for any different scenario.

Meanwhile, Kerry Kittles and his $10 million + contract are being shopped around the league.