With the Nets losing two key players in their starting lineup recently due to budgetary concerns, the team is now trying to pin down a contract for its best young remaining star.

Nets' CEO Rod Thorn got in touch with Richard Jefferson's agent to discuss a long-term deal for his client.

"Just to touch base. Nothing is obviously done," Thorn said.

The move comes on the heels of Jason Kidd's meeting with Bruce Ratner to discuss his concern with the team's direction.

Jefferson is eligible to sign an extension of as much as $86 million over six seasons this summer, a year before he can become a restricted free-agent.  If he signed this off-season, Jefferson could be surrendering some more cash later in exchange for security now.  

Jefferson is believed to be amenable to an offer of approximately $75 million.  If he waits, next year's maximum offer could be a lot lower with a new CBA in place.

"I think Richard would like to get this done,'' his agent said. "I think any time somebody offers you the opportunity to be with your organization and for a long time, I think you have to always sit down and look at that."

Thorn would not comment on salary figures, saying, "You never know with these things."  

But he made no secret of the value Jefferson brings.

"He's gotten better every year," Thorn said. "He made a big jump up this year, improving his ball-handling and becoming a player that we could feature in pick-and-rolls, letting him handle the ball. He's improved every year, but he really made a big jump this last season."