New Jersey Nets signed FA G Ron Mercer to a 2 year contract worth over $3 million. Mercer seemed pleased to be with New Jersey: "I'm definitely glad to have this opportunity to come here and play hard and do the things this team needs me to do. I'm ready to start immediately, ready to play right now."

After being contacted by five or six different teams, Mercer named coach Lawrence Frank as the deciding factor. "He tried to recruit me while I was in high school. He was a funny, good guy, just like he is now. He hasn't changed at all. He still looks the same. That's one guy that I trusted over the years."

Ron Mercer was drafted as 6th overall pick of the 1997 NBA Draft by Boston, but unexpectedly became a journeyman, having played for Denver, Orlando, Chicago, Indiana, and San Antonio since.